Archived News for Engineering Professionals
The Federal Government has announced a $2.3 million grant under its Emerging Renewables Program (ERP) to assist BlueScope Steel’s $5 million development of a prototype building integrated photovoltaic (BIPV) system.
The BIPV system will see BlueScope develop a new roofing profile that joins Australian steel roofing and inverter systems with international second generation thin-film solar technologies.
The system will provide simultaneous installation of roofing and solar technology, and will be capable of generating energy for the electricity grid.
APLNG announces expansion
Australia Pacific LNG has announced plans to develop a second 4.5 million per annum production train for the coal seam gas to liquefied natural gas project on Curtis Island off Gladstone in Queensland.
Construction activity on the increase
The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) has released statistics that have tracked a strong increase in engineering construction activity. The statistics show that total engineering construction has increased by 13.3 per cent in the March quarter, ending with a 56.2 per cent annual increase.
Fairbrother wins Macquarie Wharf contract
The Tasmanian Government has announced Fiarbrother Pty Ltd as the winning bidder for the $7 million contract to transform Hobart’s Macquarie Wharf Number 2 Shed into a world-class Antarctic and cruise ship centre.
Report shows massive infrastructure demand
A new report published by the Bureau of Resources and Energy Economics (BREE) confirms that the increasingly strong demand for commodities has confirmed the massive infrastructure demand in Australia’s regions.
Baulderstone wins Barangaroo Headland Park contract
The Barangaroo Delivery Authority has announced that Baulderstone has been selected as the preferred contractor to design and construct Barangaroo’s Headland Park.
Downer EDI wins Western Power transmission line contract
Downer EDI Limited has been awarded a contract valued at more than $175 million by Western Power to construct a new transmission line in Western Australia.
Future of Solar Dawn Project in doubt
The Queensland Government has terminated its $75 million funding deed to the 250 megawatt Solar Dawn project in Chinchilla and the future of the project is now uncertain.
NSW Industry Action Plans released
The New South Wales Government has released draft Industry Action Plans for the manufacturing, professional services, international education and research and digital economy sectors for final consultations.
RMIT awarded Mt Isa contract worth $900,000
The 17-month contract involves up-skilling 28 existing workers at the mine and two from the nearby Stanwell power station at Mica Creek.
Siemens wins Blacktown train control contract
RailCorp has awarded Siemens a multi-million dollar contract for new intuitive train control technology on the Sydney Blacktown rail network that is based on a similar system used in New York City.
The technology will modernise this part of the network to improve reliability, punctuality and ultimately passenger satisfaction.
Siemens’ Vice President of Mobility and Logistics, Paul Bennett said the Control System is capable of re-routing and prioritising trains automatically in the event of a disruption on the line.
“This intuitive technology helps to predict the best outcome for RailCorp and its assets to effectively respond to any new situation,” he said.
The Siemens Control System can be used to review and verify new timetables offline with the ability to create virtual disruptions and monitor the effects, ensuring accuracy of timetables before they enter service. These same algorithms can be used in the online system during any disruptions to intelligently route and prioritise trains giving the optimal recovery solution.
Siemens and RailCorp’s engineers have begun working to deliver the control system for the Blacktown line which is due to be completed by early 2014, with a phased introduction of the system to be supported by Siemens’ 24/7 technical support and maintenance.
Infrastructure Queensland holds inaugural meeting
The newly established advisory group, Infrastructure Queensland, met for the first time last week, with Deputy Premier and group chairman Jeff Seeney acknowledging that that the state faces a ‘serious deficit of critical infrastructure’, and that more spending was vital to ensure the state’s continued growth, prosperity and reducing unemployment.
New body to drive Queensland infrastructure growth
The Queensland Government has announced the formation of a new standalone unit aimed at fostering investment partnerships that deliver positive infrastructure outcomes across the state has been set up in the Department of treasury and Trade.
Pacific Aluminium reconfirms Tasmanian connection
Smelting giant Pacific Aluminium has reaffirmed its long-term commitment to maintaining operations in its Bell Bay smelter following a successful renegotiation of power contracts with Hydro Tasmania.
Entrepreneur program for University of Melbourne innovators
A new entrepreneurial program at Melbourne University, the Melbourne Accelerator Program (MAP), has been established to assist the translation of innovative ideas to commercial reality.
Renewable Energy Agency appointments announced
The Minister for Resources and Energy, Martin Ferguson has announced the final board appointments and the chief executive officer to the Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA).
University of Canberra plans new civil engineering degree
Plans by the University of Canberra to offer a new degree in civil engineering have moved a step closer.
Interstate Rail Network upgrade nears completion
The country’s most extensive rail works, the upgrade to the Interstate Rail Network, has entered the home straight according to Federal Minister for Infrastructure Anthony Albanese.
$50 million for Hobart Waterfront
The Federal Government has announced a $50 million agreement with the Tasmanian Government for the rejuvenation of the Macquarie Point Railyards in Hobart.
Abigroup secures Gladstone rail contract
Abigroup has announced it has secured a $76 contract from QR National to undertake the civil works for a 13km balloon rail loop for the new Wiggins Island Coal Export Terminal at the Port of Gladstone.
Lambert Port expansion approved
The Western Australian Government has announced the approval of Rio Tinto’s Cape Lambert Port B works. The approval of the works comes after Rio Tinto outlined a massive multi-billion increase to its domestic iron ore operations.