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Markets
Power & renewables
Martin Oliver
Engineering Multidiscipline Manager, Australia contact form
When it comes to renewables, Australia’s advantages are the envy of the world. But transitioning at pace to a reliable, resilient, and sustainable grid is complex. Capitalising on the country’s abundant wind and solar potential demands the rapid development of energy storage solutions like pumped hydro. By approaching such projects with a holistic, digital-first approach, Australia can make huge strides towards its net zero goals without compromising on the resilience of its energy mix.
Wind, sunshine, and vast open space: Australia has an abundance of potential for renewables. The government’s net zero goals are correspondingly ambitious: Australia’s government is targeting 82% renewable energy by 2030. But wind and solar are intermittent renewables, meaning they can not be relied upon to produce energy consistently – because the wind doesn’t always blow, and the sun doesn’t shine at night, even in Australia.
Energy storage is the critical element, bridging the sustainability of renewables with the reliability of fossil fuels. Without appropriate energy storage strategies, we risk damaging the resilience of our power supply. Fortunately, there’s a viable solution at hand: pumped hydro. It’s the most common and most mature form of energy storage in Australia. Pumped hydro storage energy is a cheap and efficient solution: energy can be stored when not needed and then produced quickly, with gravity doing most of the work. But it’s not always viable.
To exploit the gravitational potential energy of water, reservoirs in proximity must share significant elevation differences, ruling out low-lying countries. Geological stability is another prerequisite; sites unable to bear the weight of the dams and waterways risk landslides. And it also requires sufficiently abundant and reliable water sources, for the initial filling of reservoirs, and periodic top-ups to compensate for evaporation and seepage losses.
Australia is fortunate to meet these requirements - but capitalising on the opportunity is not so straightforward. Effective hydro storage is a component of a wider energy ecosystem, which is integrated with the wider economy and its infrastructure. Connecting new power sources like hydro and wind to Australia’s electricity transmission networks is a huge challenge, because the grid must be upgraded: an estimated 14,000 KM of additional transmission is needed.
A digital-first approach is the only way to build innovative energy infrastructure that can cope with increased grid connections, flexibility and long distances. Digital approaches can also unlock more efficient processes such as predictive maintenance, reducing cost and risk and upholding a resilient net zero energy system.
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The information provided by Virtua Research cited herein is provided “as is” and “as available” without warranty of any kind. Use of any Virtua Research data is at a user’s own risk and Virtua Research disclaims any liability for use of the Virtua Research data. Although the information is obtained or compiled from reliable sources Virtua Research neither can nor does guarantee or make any representation or warranty, either express or implied, as to the accuracy, validity, sequence, timeliness, completeness or continued availability of any information or data, including third-party content, made available herein. In no event shall Virtua Research be liable for any decision made or action or inaction taken in reliance on any information or data, including third-party content. Virtua Research further explicitly disclaims, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, any warranty of any kind, whether express or implied, including warranties of merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose and non-infringement.
The consensus estimate provided by Virtua Research is based on estimates, forecasts and predictions made by third party financial analysts, as described above. It is not prepared based on information provided by AtkinsRéalis and can only be seen as a consensus view on AtkinsRéalis' possible future results from an outside perspective. AtkinsRéalis has not provided input on these forecasts, except by referring to past publicly disclosed information. AtkinsRéalis does not accept any responsibility for the quality or accuracy of any individual or average of forecasts or estimates. This web page contains forward-looking statements based on current assumptions and forecasts made by third parties. Various known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors could lead to material differences between AtkinsRéalis' actual future results, financial situation, development or performance, and the estimates given here.
Storage worries
In the race to renewables, the question of storage has lagged behind. Not anymore. Today, as the world accelerates towards decarbonization, energy storage is a cornerstone of Net-Zero strategies. Before, the debate was centred around which forms of energy were most advantageous with regards to cost, sustainability, and energy yield. Now, there’s a widespread recognition that we must consider solutions holistically, as part of the energy mix. Otherwise, we will struggle to maintain resilience during the transition - and nothing would harm the renewables cause so much as intermittent blackouts.
However, there’s still a great deal of uncertainty about exactly how to approach energy projects holistically, integrating the complex needs of the economy, the grid, and the industry of the future. With so many competing factors, and a huge array of stakeholders, it’s still too easy to lapse into silos, risking wider outcomes like resilience.
If we are to develop new power projects holistically, we must utilise data, and the digital tools allowing us to gather, analyse, and act upon it. Embedding data structures from the start facilitates collaboration between domain specialists and subcontractors, allowing them to share insights and work towards common goals. It enables competing needs and requirements to be processed, equipping decision-makers with the knowledge they need to take action with confidence.
That’s why AtkinsRéalis treats every project as a digital project. As a cross-disciplinary global organisation, we understand how important it is to facilitate conversations between experts across different domains. By conceiving of projects’ data requirements from the start, we can design and implement digital tools and environments that serve the project, from concept to decommissioning.
Please note that you are now leaving the AtkinsRéalis website (legal name: AtkinsRéalis Group inc.) and entering a website maintained by a third party (the "External Website") and that you do so at your own risk.
AtkinsRéalis has no control over the External Website, any data or other content contained therein or any additional linked websites. The link to the External Website is provided for convenience purposes only. By clicking "Accept" you acknowledge and agree that AtkinsRéalis is not responsible, and does not accept or assume any responsibility or liability whatsoever for the data protection policy, the content, the data or the technical operation of the External Website and/or any linked websites and that AtkinsRéalis is not liable for the terms and conditions (or terms of use) of the External Website. Further, you acknowledge and agree that you assume all risks resulting from entering and/or using the External Website and/or any linked websites.
BY ENTERING THE EXTERNAL WEBSITE, YOU ALSO ACKNOWLEDGE AND AGREE THAT YOU COMPLETELY AND IRREVOCABLY WAIVE ANY AND ALL RIGHTS AND CLAIMS AGAINST ATKINSRÉALIS, AND RELEASE, DISCHARGE, INDEMNIFY AND HOLD HARMLESS ATKINSRÉALIS, ITS OFFICERS, EMPLOYEES, DIRECTORS AND AGENTS FROM ANY AND ALL LIABILITY INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO LIABILITY FOR LOSS, DAMAGES, EXPENSES AND COSTS ARISING OUT OF OR IN CONNECTION WITH ENTERING AND/OR USING THE EXTERNAL WEBSITE AND/OR ANY LINKED WEBSITES AND ANY DATA AND/OR CONTENT CONTAINED THEREIN.
Such waiver and release specifically includes, without limitation, any and all rights and claims pertaining to reliance on the data or content of the External Website, or claims pertaining to the processing of personal data, including but not limited to any rights under any applicable data protection statute. You also recognize by clicking “Accept” that the terms of this disclaimer are reasonable.
The information provided by Virtua Research cited herein is provided “as is” and “as available” without warranty of any kind. Use of any Virtua Research data is at a user’s own risk and Virtua Research disclaims any liability for use of the Virtua Research data. Although the information is obtained or compiled from reliable sources Virtua Research neither can nor does guarantee or make any representation or warranty, either express or implied, as to the accuracy, validity, sequence, timeliness, completeness or continued availability of any information or data, including third-party content, made available herein. In no event shall Virtua Research be liable for any decision made or action or inaction taken in reliance on any information or data, including third-party content. Virtua Research further explicitly disclaims, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, any warranty of any kind, whether express or implied, including warranties of merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose and non-infringement.
The consensus estimate provided by Virtua Research is based on estimates, forecasts and predictions made by third party financial analysts, as described above. It is not prepared based on information provided by AtkinsRéalis and can only be seen as a consensus view on AtkinsRéalis' possible future results from an outside perspective. AtkinsRéalis has not provided input on these forecasts, except by referring to past publicly disclosed information. AtkinsRéalis does not accept any responsibility for the quality or accuracy of any individual or average of forecasts or estimates. This web page contains forward-looking statements based on current assumptions and forecasts made by third parties. Various known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors could lead to material differences between AtkinsRéalis' actual future results, financial situation, development or performance, and the estimates given here.
Next level
Australia’s abundant renewable energy resources is a huge advantage for its energy security. Yet many tricky questions must still be negotiated. How will reliance on coal and gas be replaced with alternative fuels? Can the national hydrogen strategy accelerate commercial hydrogen exports to deliver on Australia’s ambitions to be a world leader in hydrogen?
At the heart of these debates is a common challenge: how to transition to nascent energy sources, without compromising on the reliability, resilience, and affordability of fossil fuels. Solutions like pumped hydro are the way forward. But exactly how we approach them can be the difference between getting bogged down in complexity, and surging forward to the sustainable world of the future.
Please note that you are now leaving the AtkinsRéalis website (legal name: AtkinsRéalis Group inc.) and entering a website maintained by a third party (the "External Website") and that you do so at your own risk.
AtkinsRéalis has no control over the External Website, any data or other content contained therein or any additional linked websites. The link to the External Website is provided for convenience purposes only. By clicking "Accept" you acknowledge and agree that AtkinsRéalis is not responsible, and does not accept or assume any responsibility or liability whatsoever for the data protection policy, the content, the data or the technical operation of the External Website and/or any linked websites and that AtkinsRéalis is not liable for the terms and conditions (or terms of use) of the External Website. Further, you acknowledge and agree that you assume all risks resulting from entering and/or using the External Website and/or any linked websites.
BY ENTERING THE EXTERNAL WEBSITE, YOU ALSO ACKNOWLEDGE AND AGREE THAT YOU COMPLETELY AND IRREVOCABLY WAIVE ANY AND ALL RIGHTS AND CLAIMS AGAINST ATKINSRÉALIS, AND RELEASE, DISCHARGE, INDEMNIFY AND HOLD HARMLESS ATKINSRÉALIS, ITS OFFICERS, EMPLOYEES, DIRECTORS AND AGENTS FROM ANY AND ALL LIABILITY INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO LIABILITY FOR LOSS, DAMAGES, EXPENSES AND COSTS ARISING OUT OF OR IN CONNECTION WITH ENTERING AND/OR USING THE EXTERNAL WEBSITE AND/OR ANY LINKED WEBSITES AND ANY DATA AND/OR CONTENT CONTAINED THEREIN.
Such waiver and release specifically includes, without limitation, any and all rights and claims pertaining to reliance on the data or content of the External Website, or claims pertaining to the processing of personal data, including but not limited to any rights under any applicable data protection statute. You also recognize by clicking “Accept” that the terms of this disclaimer are reasonable.
The information provided by Virtua Research cited herein is provided “as is” and “as available” without warranty of any kind. Use of any Virtua Research data is at a user’s own risk and Virtua Research disclaims any liability for use of the Virtua Research data. Although the information is obtained or compiled from reliable sources Virtua Research neither can nor does guarantee or make any representation or warranty, either express or implied, as to the accuracy, validity, sequence, timeliness, completeness or continued availability of any information or data, including third-party content, made available herein. In no event shall Virtua Research be liable for any decision made or action or inaction taken in reliance on any information or data, including third-party content. Virtua Research further explicitly disclaims, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, any warranty of any kind, whether express or implied, including warranties of merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose and non-infringement.
The consensus estimate provided by Virtua Research is based on estimates, forecasts and predictions made by third party financial analysts, as described above. It is not prepared based on information provided by AtkinsRéalis and can only be seen as a consensus view on AtkinsRéalis' possible future results from an outside perspective. AtkinsRéalis has not provided input on these forecasts, except by referring to past publicly disclosed information. AtkinsRéalis does not accept any responsibility for the quality or accuracy of any individual or average of forecasts or estimates. This web page contains forward-looking statements based on current assumptions and forecasts made by third parties. Various known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors could lead to material differences between AtkinsRéalis' actual future results, financial situation, development or performance, and the estimates given here.
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