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Above: Golder, a member of WSP, will deliver engineering and environmental consulting services for the proposed Central West Pumped Hydro Project in New South Wales, Australia


Golder


Global engineering and consulting firm Golder, a member of WSP, has been appointed by integrated energy and infrastructure solutions provider ATCO to deliver engineering and environmental consulting services for the proposed Central West Pumped Hydro Project in New South Wales, Australia. Pumped storage hydro plays a key role to support grid stability in markets with increasing penetration of renewables, reducing the challenges created by the intermittent nature of renewable energy generation. Located near Yetholme, approximately two hours west of Sydney, the 325MW Central West Pumped Hydro Project will be able to store and deliver 2600MWh for a period of up to eight hours, providing low-cost, long-duration energy storage.


For 30 years ATCO has been investing in


alternative and renewable energy solutions, and continues to respond to disruption in the energy sector through projects using new technologies and business models to provide energy solutions for a low carbon future. “We’re delighted to have been engaged by


ATCO as a trusted earth and environmental consulting partner to support the proposed Central West Pumped Hydro Project,” said Tara Kennedy, Renewables Sector Lead at Golder. “This new engagement follows the successful delivery of our work on the Goat Hill Pumped Hydro project, another important part of the portfolio of pumped storage hydro projects developed by Altura Group to support the growing supply of renewables into the Australian energy market.” Golder’s scope in the project includes the delivery of the Environmental Impact Statement and associated planning and approvals including ecological and hydrological impact assessments. The firm is also undertaking geotechnical site investigations, data analysis and reporting to inform the project reference design. “We recognise that pumped hydro storage is a


key priority for the NSW government as it will help achieve its net zero emissions target by 2050,” said Craig Curnow, Golder’s Regional Leader in NSW. “Golder is well positioned to support this transition by providing specialised services for pumped hydro and renewables clients.” ●


HDR


The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission has issued Oregon State University a license to build and operate the first commercial-scale, utility grid-connected wave energy test site in the U.S. HDR supported OSU through the FERC licensing process and led development of the FERC license application documents for the unprecedented marine renewable energy test facility. “This is a significant milestone for Oregon


State and for PacWave, but it is also an important milestone for the industry, because of the project’s approach to addressing environmental uncertainty and its overall commitment to advancing the state of marine renewable energy,” said PacWave Project Manager Justin Klure. “The knowledge developed during this process and the precedent set for how to approach new projects like this will likely be used for years to come.” As part of developing the FERC license application, HDR completed an applicant- prepared environmental assessment as well as a draft biological assessment which evaluated potential effects to species listed under the Endangered Species Act. The engineering firm also supported OSU with development of environmental monitoring plans and mitigation measures, and with agency consultation and strategic planning. HDR conducted environmental and cultural resource surveys for the terrestrial portion of the project. Located seven miles off Oregon’s shoreline,


PacWave South offers wave energy developers the opportunity to try different technologies for harnessing the kinetic energy of ocean waves and transmitting it to a local electric grid. The facility will feature four test berths that could collectively support the testing of up to 20 wave energy converters and associated moorings, anchors, subsea connectors, subsea power and communication cables, and onshore facilities. Power and data cables buried below the seafloor will connect the ocean test site to a shore-based facility. PacWave South will enable developers to test wave energy conversion devices and collect interconnection and grid synchronization data. ●


Obermeyer


Obermeyer Hydro, Inc. is working with the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL)


Above: Ramboll is designing a flood early warning system (FEWS) in the Philippine city of Baguio which incorporates gender transformative approaches and principles


with support from the Department of Energy (DOE) on the development of Cost Effective Small Scale Pumped Storage Configuration Reversible pump turbines have strict design- specific submergence requirements and must be installed well below tailwater level, typically in an underground powerhouse. Such facilities are expensive and require suitable geology. Obermeyer Hydro’s improved pumped storage configuration requires only a simple vertical shaft to position a submersible pump-turbine, drastically reducing costs. ●


Ramboll


As part of the ASEAN Australia Smart Cities Trust Fund (AASCTF) programme in South-East Asia, a cross disciplinary Ramboll team is designing a flood early warning system (FEWS) in the Philippine city of Baguio which incorporates gender transformative approaches and principles.


Gender is a critical consideration in ensuring that effective early warning systems (EWS) leave no one behind. Vulnerability to the impact of disasters is increased by gender inequality, gender norms, and social marginalization. The less economic, political, and cultural power is held by women and gender minorities prior to a disaster, the greater their suffering during and in the aftermath. Women and marginalized groups including gender minorities are often excluded from disaster risk reduction policies, strategies, and decision-making due to unequal power relations, gender norms, and gendered socioeconomic inequality. In addition, early warning messages are less likely to reach women and other marginalized groups, directly impacting their chance of survival. It is important to pay special attention to the voices and stories of populations which are marginalized, hidden, and vulnerable, to understand the specific needs, priorities, and perspectives of these groups, to ensure that the EWS is effective for them and that ‘no one is left behind.’ This is exactly the case in Baguio where Ramboll, in partnership with Practical Action Consulting, is currently designing a ‘flood early warning system’. The Baguio EWS is one of the first ‘task orders’ in the AASCTF smart city project in South f


www.waterpowermagazine.com | August 2021 | 21


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