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disassemble and safely extract TBM Lady Eileen and reassemble her with new components before commissioning, said Snowy Hydro. The conveyor stacker, grout batch plant, and chiller plant were also relocated from the MAT portal to the Talbingo adit. Before embarking on its underground voyage, the customary tradition of blessing was carried out for a safe journey under the watch of St Barbara, the patron saint of tunnelling and underground work. This ritual, observed at tunneling sites across the globe, took place in an onsite ceremony overseen by local parish priest Father Mark Croker, attended by Snowy 2.0 workers.
Following the blessing, TBM Lady Eileen was set into motion, its 378-tonne cutterhead making its mark on the rock face. This cutterhead, composed of 70 cutting discs, each weighing 290 kilos, has been designed to navigate the varying geological challenges of the 11m diameter tunnel. The TBM itself, measuring 137m in length and weighing a staggering 2,300 tonnes, operates as a mobile factory, orchestrating a synchronized dance of complex components.
A crucial aspect of this operation involves utilizing over 27,000 concrete segments manufactured at the Polo Flat, Cooma precast facility. These segments will line the tailrace tunnel, with the TBM housing essential equipment including a segment erector, segment feeder, segment cranes, and a sophisticated grouting system. Incorporating advanced technology, the TBM is equipped with a guidance system that provides precise data to the machine’s pilot, ensuring meticulous accuracy down to the millimeter. This data is closely monitored by Snowy 2.0’s construction and engineering teams to ensure seamless progress.
Nepal Sunkoshi Marin Diversion Tunnel Project over halfway complete, ahead of schedule Nepal Sunkoshi Marin Diversion Tunnel Project is making substantial strides, with over 50% of the tunnelling work completed, outpacing the original schedule by a five-month margin. China Railway No. 2 Group Co Ltd and China Overseas Engineering Group Co Ltd have successfully excavated more than 6.666km of the tunnel, with the project being the first TBM tunnel to traverse the Kathmandu spiral geological structure. The project’s Tunnel Boring Machine (TBM) is also the only high- buried, large-diameter single-head TBM tunnel currently under construction within Nepal. Spanning 13.3km, the tunnel’s path cuts
through challenging geological terrain, including high water inflow areas, rock extrusions, geothermal obstacles, rock bursts, and a fault zone. Since its launch in October the Robbins TBM, boasting a 6.4m diameter, has averaged a
monthly progress of 833.3m, with a maximum of 1136m achieved In May. To overcome the geological challenges, the
TBM team implemented measures such as cutter adjustments, integration of over-excavation cutters, heightened grouting efforts, streamlined organizational processes, equipment upkeep, and efficient material and equipment supply management. The TBM’s tapered design further reduces the risk of becoming trapped in challenging ground conditions. The project’s tunnel will be connected to a 28.6MW surface powerhouse along the Marin River, developed to bolster the region’s electricity supply. It will also increase farmland irrigation in Dhanusha, Mahottari, Sarlahi, Rauthat, and Bara districts within the Terai Plain.
US
Consumers Energy exploring potential sale of hydro portfolio Consumers Energy has announced its intention to delve into the possibility of selling its portfolio of 13 hydroelectric facilities in Michigan, US, marking a strategic move to address the future of these vital infrastructures while prioritizing both reservoir integrity and customer economic interests. In a bid to ensure sustainable and well- maintained dam reservoirs, Consumers Energy has unveiled plans to initiate a comprehensive request for proposal (RFP) process. This initiative comes in the wake of a dedicated effort by the energy company to engage with local communities and gather insights on the future of these hydroelectric resources. Recognizing the intrinsic value of these facilities and the connected reservoirs to the local communities, Consumers Energy said it aims to explore avenues that would allow reservoir preservation while minimizing financial burdens on its customer base. “After numerous conversations over the past year, it is clear the reservoirs are important for economic and recreational opportunities in these communities across Michigan,” said Norm Kapala, Consumers Energy’s vice president of generation operations. “But we also know that the current model for financing our hydroelectric power operations requires customers to pay more than nine times for the cost of energy compared to other sources of generation. “Today’s announcement is an initial step we
need to take to learn more about what selling the facilities might look like. If we choose to move forward and sell these facilities, our intention is to minimize the cost burden for customers while keeping the recreational and economic benefits for our communities. No final decision has been made, and we continue to explore all options.” Consumers Energy’s proactive approach
arises from the expiration of licenses for its dams over the next 11 years. These 13 hydroelectric
facilities collectively contribute less than 1% of the overall energy supplied to Consumers Energy’s nearly 2 million customers. Financial considerations, coupled with the relatively higher expenses associated with hydroelectric operations, have catalyzed this strategic evaluation, the company said. While a decision to sell has not yet been
finalized, Consumers Energy said it is committed to a transparent and consultative approach. The energy company plans to organize a series of community meetings in the coming months, designed to facilitate discussions regarding the potential sale of the dams, as well as other viable options that are currently under consideration. The objective is to involve stakeholders in the decision-making process and gather valuable insights that will inform the final decision.
Consumers Energy’s federal operating licenses for dams situated on rivers like Muskegon, Manistee, Grand, Kalamazoo, and Au Sable are slated to expire between 2034 and 2041.
Global
Renewables surge as fossil fuel electricity production declines, reports IEA The International Energy Agency’s (IEA) latest “Monthly Electricity Statistics” report, incorporating data up to May 2023, has revealed a sharp decline in electricity production from fossil fuels, coupled with a notable rise in renewable energy generation within the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) membership. According to the report, the total net electricity production within the OECD amounted to 831.5 terawatt-hours (TWh) in May, marking a substantial 3.9% drop compared to the same period last year. At the heart of this decline is the diminished output from fossil fuel sources, plummeting by 9.8% year-on- year. This downturn was primarily driven by substantial reductions in coal-based generation, which dipped 19.7%, and natural gas, which experienced a 4.3% decline. The outcome of this shift is the reshaping of the energy mix, with the share of fossil fuels within the OECD electricity generation mix plunging to 45.2%, a stark three-percentage- point reduction from May 2022 figures. Simultaneously, renewable energy sources have grown, with the data showing a 1.5% year- on-year increase in total electricity production from renewables. Key contributors to this growth were solar power, with a 15.1% surge, and hydropower, boasting a 2.2% increase. However, wind power encountered a minor setback, witnessing 7.3% decline in output. As a result, renewables now command 38.2% share of the OECD electricity mix, marking a noteworthy two-percentage-point upswing from the previous year.
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