Power & waterPortfolio 18/19POWER | WATER | MINING | TRANSPORT | OIL & GAS www.novasystems.com

AustrAliA & New ZeAlANd

The challenge and opportunity for Power and Water Utilities is to provide a great customer experience under increasing environmental, political and competitive forces. In addition, there is growing pressure from regulators to control costs while maintaining aging assets, customer expectations, and safe and reliable services. New investment in digital technologies also requires increased focus on planning, implementation and systems integration and validation.

Nova Systems is the trusted “go-to” systems integration and capability development partner for the whole of life management of complex capital and technical based projects. We apply cross-sector thinking, national as well as global perspectives and emerging best practice initiatives to assist our clients to meet emerging challenges head on. We deliver innovative, competitive, compliant and safety assured solu-tions.

Our people combine their capital delivery expertise, experience working within high risk environments and their highly developed system engineering knowledge, to en-able our clients to gain the most value from their assets across the whole life-cycle.

We work as part of integrated project teams to reliably and consistently develop and deliver complex projects on time, within budget and to required level of quality. We have a strong focus on early stakeholder engagement and enabling our Power and Water clients to deliver great experiences for their customers.

Tim AndersonProgram Manager - Energy & Resourcestim.anderson@novasystems.com

Electricity transmission and distribution network service providers face growing pressure from regulators and customers to control rising costs while meeting safety requirements. Efficient, low cost networks with high reliability are expected. The integration of new technologies, including renewable energy, storage, smart metering and digital systems is on the rise. There is an increasing knowledge and skills gap due to an aging and retiring work force with a shortage of skilled replacement personnel. All this resides on a backdrop of an aging networks asset base and related increase in maintenance and repair costs.

To enable transmission and distribution network service providers to meet these significant challenges, Nova Systems draws upon our expertise in High Reliability Organisations (HROs), within aerospace and defence in-dustries, to bring a unique holistic view on the way to best execute complex capital and technology integration projects, while achieving operational resilience to meet productivity and safety requirements.

Our people combine a systems thinking approach with operational experience in some of the worlds highest risk operating environments, including working on military platforms, in battle zones and as air traffic control-lers. Through this combination of skills and experience, we have enabled transmission and distribution network service providers to achieve outstanding improvements in safety performance, while balancing productivity requirements.

CONTACTCONTACT

Power

CONTACT Ian LawrenceProgram Manager - Landian.lawrence@novasystems.com

• SystemsAssurance,includingtechnologyassessmentsandtestingandevaluation

• OperationalSafetyincludinghighvoltageswitchingsafety improvement,safety-criticalcommunicationimprovement

• SystemsSafetyandSafetyinDesignengineering• Independentprojectengineeringriskadvisory• Systemsintegrationofoperationallycriticalandcomplex

systems• Assetmanagementframeworks• Engineeringmanagementsystemdevelopment• Projectportfolioplanninganddelivery• Specialisttelecommunicationsengineeringservices• Aerialservices(includingunmannedaerialvehicles)feasibility

studies,trials,andoperationsmanagement• DigitalTransformation• PragmaticsystemsapproachtointegrationofIT/OTdomains• Cloudbasedanalyticsplatformselectionconstruction

ofdigitaltwincyber-physicalsystems• Cybersystemsdesign,auditandpenetrationtesting

CAPAbILITIES

CONTACT Tim AndersonProgram Manager - Energy & Resourcestim.anderson@novasystems.com

Power

AERIAL SERVICES FEASIBILITY STUDY

ElectraNet is the private owner, manager and operator of the South Australian high-voltage electricity transmission network. ElectraNet’s current aerial inspection and patrol capability involves a helicopter and an on-board inspector visually identify-ing insulator condition issues. This process is time consuming, expensive and does not capture historic asset condition data. Nova Systems worked with ElectraNet to understand the current aerial inspection and patrol capacities. Using this knowledge, Nova Systems developed a set of high level business requirements to define the requirements of the inspection, Aerial Services plan to detail how to develop the capability, and a Business case to support investment planning. Nova Systems was contracted by ElectraNet to complete a technology feasibility study, and to support the trial and selection of autonomous technology which will reduce overall inspection times and improve safety outcomes. Nova are now supporting ElectraNet in bringing this technology into an op-erational capability and have started working with other power utilities on the use of automated airborne sensors for visual and Lidar based inspection capabilities.

Highlights

OPERATIONAL RESILIENCE POWER USE & COST REDUCTION

Nova Systems was engaged to ana-lyse, review and make recommenda-tions regarding a major Australian upstream gas producer’s power solu-tion, particularly relating to the safer, reliable and long-term production of gas. Nova Systems also assessed the gas producer’s Operational Resilience with respect to power and the secu-rity of electricity supply over the life of its production asset.

Nova Systems drew upon its detailed experience in numerous complex industries and applied its proven analysis and problem-solving ap-proach to provide a fresh perspective to the power cost problem. The Nova Systems power solution team was co-located with our client and considered internal and external environment factors.

The outcome was a collaboratively prepared power vision for the gas producer with a supporting power roadmap, detailing the recommended power solution development path.

Highlights

key exPerience

ENGINEERING & PROJECT DELIVERY OPTIMISATION – POWER

ElectraNet is the private owner, manager and operator of the South Australian high-voltage electricity transmission network. Nova Systems conducted a review of ElectraNet’s Engineering Management System (EMS) to improve delivery outcomes and to support closer integration with the Project Management System (PMS). Nova Systems provided special-ist consulting services for redevelop-ment of the engineering management system, which involved interfacing the EMS with the PMS, reviewing the engineering policies and procedures, re-designing a streamlined EMS for future project delivery and developing and delivering EMS training for Elec-traNet engineering and project staff. The result was a new ‘ElectraNet Way’ of delivering its electricity network capital investment program, which supports improved decision making and technical risk management. The project was a finalist in the 2017 Project Management Institute (PMI) Gala Awards.

Highlights

CONTROL OPERATIONALEXCELLENCE STRATEGY

Victoria Power Networks deliv-ers electricity to almost 1.1 million residential and commercial custom-ers; and in 2013 the company was facing many operational challenges. Nova Systems was engaged to deliver Operational Excellence consulting services to Victoria Power Networks, to inform the development of the Op-erational Excellence 3-5 Year Strategy. Nova Systems reviewed the Victoria Power Networks operational process, procedure and performance docu-mentation; and conducted multiple stakeholder engagement sessions to obtain a contextual understanding of the operational challenges currently being faced. This information was col-lated and two facilitated Focus Group sessions featuring key stakeholders directly involved in conducting or managing business operations was completed. The Focus Group sessions yielded an Operational Excellence Framework heat map to highlight the current state of strengths and weak-nesses of Victoria Power Networks current operational capabilities.

Highlights

ELECTRICAL SWITCHING MENTOR SCHOOL OPERATIONAL RISK MANAGEMENT SERVICES & TRAINING

SA Power Networks sought to improve the organisation’s capability to safely and reliably perform electrical switch-ing operations without error. Nova Systems was engaged by SA Power Networks to analyse and identify the key contributing factors impacting switching performance and reliability. Among a number of business process and technology related issues, Nova Systems identified a requirement for procedural standardisation as being one of the key contributors. Nova Systems was then contracted by SA Power Networks to uplift the switch-ing capability. Nova Systems selected a successful model from a different industry that faced similar challenges and created a graduate level training program which was delivered to hand-picked operators over an intensive, four day period. The selection of the Electrical Switching Mentor School at-tendees was considered to be critical to the success of the training course as a whole

Highlights

CENTRAL BUSINESS DISTRICT NETWORK WORK HEALTH AND SAFETY RISK

The substations, transformer rooms and switch rooms that make up the underground electricity supply network of Adelaide’s CBD contain a number of Work Health and Safety re-lated hazards, and presented a signifi-cant corporate risk to SA Power Net-works. With hundreds of safety-critical sites, SA Power Networks engaged Nova Systems to assess these sites for hazards, hazard treatment related to the potential of delayed rescue and to provide a priority-based catalogue of additional work that was required to reduce corporate risk to an acceptable level. In addition to the assessments, Nova Systems personnel walked every escape route (where available) in order to confirm the route provided a valid escape path and also to map the route. This information was used to prepare escape route maps that were installed in each of the 100 asset locations. Nova utilised its proprietary Field Interactive Risk Management En-vironment (FIRME) system to facilitate the assessment of each selected asset location.

Highlights

CONTACT

Water Utilities face increasing pressure from regulators to reduce costs while meeting increasing customer ser-vice and communication demands. Optimised replacement and asset investment to maintain levels of service is vital, as is the reliance on the integration of new and emerging technologies.

To enable water utilities to meet these significant challenges, Nova Systems draws upon its strong heritage in water, oil and gas, aerospace, rail and defence industries and a proven systems thinking approach. We bring a unique holistic view on the way to best execute and plan capital delivery, while ensuring compliance with organisational, statutory and regulatory requirements. We apply our tailored systems engineering approach and innovative solutions to enable our customers to deliver safe, reliable and affordable water, recycled water and water products and services.

Nova System’s experienced and knowledgeable senior project managers and engineers are trusted by water utility professionals to tackle complex issues, including Full Financial Approvals beyond normal Board financial delegation and navigation of government acquittal processes. We work as part of integrated project teams to reliably and consistently develop and deliver projects on time, within budget and to required levels of qual-ity. We have a strong focus on early stakeholder engagement and enabling our Utility clients to deliver great customer experiences.

CONTACT

water

• OperationalTestandEvaluation• DevelopmentTestandEvaluation• SystemsEngineering• SystemsIntegration• Systems-of-SystemsIntegration• DesignEngineering• ModellingandSimulation• ElectronicWarfare• CommunicationsandDatalinks• UnmannedSystems• IntegratedLogisticsSupport• ProjectManagement

CAPAbILITIES

CONTACT

ENERGY MANAGEMENT

SA Water’s ambitious goal of achiev-ing net zero electricity costs by 2020 is supported by a suite of energy man-agement initiatives; including conver-sion of biogas generated from sewage treatment plants into electricity.

Nova Systems was asked to investigate and assess options for optimising this waste recovery activity from its current performance of providing 70% of power requirements at the Glenelg Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP). Holistic systems thinking was de-ployed to ensure that the WWTP op-erations integrity is not compromised in the process of defining a solution that optimises use of the biogas gen-erated. Collaboration and engage-ment from stakeholders (operators, vendors and asset managers) resulted in identification of a preferred hybrid operational and capital option that improves the financial return of the biogas waste resource conversion to electricity. This work was integrated into the Glenelg WWTP System Asset Management Plan submission to the Essential Services Commission of South Australia as part of SA Water’s Regulatory Business Proposal 2020.

Highlights

Ian LawrenceProgram Manager - Landian.lawrence@novasystems.com

• Projectmanagementandsupportservices• Systemsassurance,includingtechnologyassessments

andtestingandevaluation• Systemsintegrationofoperationallycriticaland

complexsystems• Assetmanagement• Systemssafetyandsafetyindesignengineering• Engineeringmanagementframeworks• Projectportfolioplanninganddelivery• Specialisttelecommunicationsengineeringservices• Aerialservices(includingunmannedaerialvehicles)

feasibilitystudies,trials,andoperationsmanagement• Independentprojectengineeringriskadvisory• Capitalprojectmanagementsystemsdevelopment

andimplementation• DigitalTransformation

CAPAbILITIES

CONTACT Tim AndersonProgram Manager - Energy & Resourcestim.anderson@novasystems.com

NORTHERN ADELAIDE IRRIGATION SCHEME (NAIS)

NAIS will provide the required infrastructure and fit for purpose high quality product water from the Bolivar Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP) to enable agricultural expansion of the fertile Northern Adelaide Plains. The $155 million capital investment in NAIS infrastructure is jointly funded by the South Australian Government and the Commonwealth. On comple-tion, an increase of $578 million to the state’s economy each year and the creation of 3,700 jobs is envisaged.

To assist SA Water in achieving its objectives, Nova Systems successfully obtained statutory financial approvals via the South Australian Cabinet and Parliamentary Public Works Commit-tee within a challenging timeframe to enable funding milestones to be met.

Nova Systems’ engagement encom-pass project management services across the entire project lifecycle, including management of the inter-faces between the overlapping staged implementation of multiple work packages (water conveyance system, water treatment facility and managed aquifer storage). Nova Systems will be able to leverage systems integration capability to harmonise the various key assets created from this project into the greater bolivar Wastewater Treatment Plant.

Highlights

key exPerience

SYSTEMS THINKING

Nova Systems draws on our expertise to provide our clients with confidence that new technologies and operationally critical assets both meet their intended purpose and achieve improved technical certainty, safety outcomes and cost savings.

We apply proven tools and techniques to identify and define the operational needs of our clients and translate these into functional requirements from which suitable technology solutions can be selected. Using this approach, technology options can be comprehensively and systematically evalu-ated and the impact of deficiencies can be assessed before lengthy and expensive procurements deci-sions are made.

A common cause of complex project failure is not having complete, concise and correct set of require-ments for the system being delivered. A systems approach increases the likelihood of projects being delivered on time and within budget and provides the best possible chance for a project to succeed.

TRADE WASTE CUSTOMER IMPROVEMENT PROJECT

SA Water’s Trade Waste customers range from small commercial cafes, through to major industrial businesses who pay a fee based on the metered volume and type of pollutants discharged into the sewerage network. Nova Systems completed a Trade Waste Customer Focussed Improve-ment Project which included assisting with developing a coordinated future strategy to leverage emerging opportuni-ties, while delivering the service that SA Water’s trade waste customers expect. Nova applied a “system thinking” ap-proach to develop solutions for SA Water which included: stakeholder engage-ment; identifying improvement initiatives across compliance, asset management, pricing and customer solutions; and a risk and opportunity assessment to review, challenge and build upon the initiatives, and to support the prioritization process. The implementation of the customer ap-proved reforms and overarching plan was managed by Nova Systems. The project has supported an increased customer service focus with employees taking clear ownership of problems, and tailored solutions being developed to address SA Water customer’s challenges in complying with regulatory requirements.

Highlights

MURRAY BRIDGE WASTEWATER TREATMENT PLANT (WWTP) RELOCATION

Catchment growth and residential en-croachment necessitated commissioning of a feasibility options study into upgrad-ing both hydraulic and load capacity of the WWTP, alternative sites for relocating the WWTP and associated sewage as well as recycled water conveyance system configuration.

In this multi-year project, Nova Systems provided project management services to develop a successful business case for the upgrade and relocation of the WWTP to the Essential Services Commission of South Australia (ESCOSA) as part of SA Water’s Regulatory business Proposal 2016. This enabled progression into defining a base case option which was used as a benchmark for comparison against industry led solutions proposed during the tendering stage. Nova Systems led the development of the extended proof of performance centric Opera-tions and Maintenance contract where success is quantified and measured by the infrastructure’s energy footprint and consumables. Coupled with a modified AS4300 Design and Construct contract, the project is currently in construction with completion forecasted in 2020.

Highlights

ASSET MANAGEMENT DECISION MAKING

SA Water’s Asset Management team engaged Nova Systems to provide advice in optimising the asset management decision-making approach in relation to operations, maintenance and capital planning. SA Water sought a top-down view of risk by type andlevels of risk.

Nova Systems worked with stakeholders to further define the problem which was then divided into two parts; data integrity and decision-making. A systems engineer-ing approach was recommended to ensure that data was fit-for-purpose when used to aid decision-making and a capability-based approach was utilised to enable feedback and validation of decisions against formal requirements. Nova Systems devised a risk amalgamator that could be used to roll-up risk views, and would permit “whatif”scenario planning for decision-making. Datafrom a select water treatment plant was used to validate the approach.

The enhanced decision making framework was designed to Provides clear line-of-sight on asset risk and optimum risk reduction strategies for fixed budgets.

Highlights

BIRD IN HAND WASTEWATER TREATMENT PLANT UPGRADE

The existing Bird in Hand Wastewater Treatment Plant (BiH WWTP) required upgrading as water quality sampling indicated that the discharged treated effluent contained high nutrient levels causing detrimental impact on the Dawseley Creek receiving environment.

The scope of the plant upgrade consisted of a 4 stage Modified Ludzack-Ettinger (MLE) activated sludge treatment process in conjunction with clarifiers, disc filtration, UV disinfection, recycled water storage, recycled water pump station, on site irrigation infrastructure and off site recycled water mains. The project also included an anaerobic digester as a replacement for the originally proposed sludge lagoons.

Nova Systems was engaged to project manage this upgrade and diligently monitored the project budget, scope and proactively engaged stakeholder management to minimise the risk inherent to the detail design and delivery activities. This approach was able to maintain the project budget and the integrity of construction of a fit for purpose asset for SA Water.

Highlights

ADELAIDE DESALINATION PROJECT TRANSFER PIPELINE SYSTEM

In November 2008, the State Govern-ment approved the construction of a desalination plant and its associated infrastructure; naming SA Water as the lead agency to deliver this project. The State Government established challenging timelines for the design, construction and operation of this highly complex project to meet the water needs of South Australia. While establishing the project team, SA Water appointed Nova Systems to provide services and support across various aspects of the project. Nova Systems’ role in the transfer pipeline system involved project management and oversight of the procurement process. Nova Systems participated in tender evaluation, early contrac-tor involvement processes, contract administration, oversight of the design management functions and coordina-tion of ‘squad checks’ to ensure timely completion of the design review process.

Highlights

LOWER LAKES IRRIGATION PIPELINE AND PUMP STATIONS

Water loss in the Lower Lakes region was severely impacting local business and domestic water use. Through the SA government, SA Water was required to provide treated filtered potable supplies to these communities from Tailem Bend with the construction of a network of pipelines, totalling 169 kilometres.

SA Water engaged Nova Systems to provide project management services including: deployment of a communications plan, cost control and procurement, risk management, time management, resource management and quality assurance. For Nova System’s efforts on behalf of SA Water, Engineers Australia awarded Lead Engineering and Construction Pty Ltd a commendation for Project Management at the South Australian Engineering Excellence Awards of 2010.

Highlights

CLARE VALLEY REGION WATER SUPPLY SCHEME

Water resources in the Clare Valley Region were fully committed while opportunity for further viticulture and other irrigated agricultural development was expected to be limited without additional water. Augmentation of the supply from the Swan Reach - Paskeville pipeline to the surrounding areas was required to ensure the reliability of service across the Barossa Valley, Mid North and Yorke Peninsula. SA Water decided to implement a large-scale project to improve the water supply across the Clare Valley region and to improve the potable water supply to surrounding areas.

To assist SA Water in achieving their objectives, Nova Systems were engaged to provide project management across the entire project and to perform a number of services including: Project management, risk management, Environmental impact assessments, funds approvals, project implementation, management reporting and contract administration.

Highlights

Nova Systems was formed in 2000, rapidly becoming one of the pre-eminent providers of specialist engineering services to the defence sector.

Today, Nova Systems employs more than 500 specialist consultants across Australia, New Zealand, the UK and Singapore, collaborating with its blue chip clients across industry sectors including power, water, government, aerospace, mining, oil, gas and rail.

We provide industry and government with world class, independent expertise. We work not just as consultants, but as trusted partners, as committed to your success as you are.

Our size and extensive network allows us to resource project teams tailored to specifically meet client needs and objectives, yet we remain nimble and flexible. We apply innovation and ingenuity, drawing on the talents and expertise of our people, applying cross-sector thinking, national as well as global perspectives and emerging best practice initiatives.

Nova Systems is a member of the Australian Water Association and the Australian Institute of Energy

Specialist services

• Commissioning and Test • Capability Development and Delivery • Project Development and Delivery • Specialist Engineering Design • Certification and Design approvals • Operational and Systems Safety • Asset management and Logistics • Training (Registered Training Organisation)• Software Development• Model Based Systems Engineering• Modelling and Analytics

ABOUT NOVA SYSTEMS

POWER | WATER | MINING | TRANSPORT | OIL & GAS www.novasystems.com