NEWS - Trifecta of TBMs Snowy 2.0 project update Spot the robot dog TrueGreen renewable energy - Snowy Hydro
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NEWS ISSUE 57 WINTER 2022 Trifecta of TBMs Snowy 2.0 project update Spot the robot dog TrueGreen renewable energy
INSIDE CEO UPDATE
A message from Managing Director
3 CEO’s message and CEO Paul Broad
4 Snowy 2.0 project update
Safety is Snowy Hydro’s highest priority - we are Our Snowy 2.0 pumped-hydro project, which is
6 Snowy 2.0 upstream surge shaft committed to getting the job done, but above all, we expanding the mighty Snowy Scheme, powers on at
want everyone to go home safely at the end of the day. multiple construction sites in the mountains. We now
7 High-tech hound It’s something I am particularly passionate about, which
have all three of our huge 11-metre diameter tunnel
boring machines (TBMs) in operation, with the last,
is why I’m proud Snowy is making a contribution to
8 Safety on our roads improving local road safety by supporting NSW Police
Florence, taking on the very long headrace tunnel
excavation of about 15 kilometres.
to increase highway patrols in the Snowy Mountains.
9 Stepping up at Murray 1 We are co-funding two extra police officer positions
It was fantastic to join members of our local
community at the commissioning event for TBM
and a new four-wheel drive highway patrol vehicle
10 TrueGreen renewable energy so that the Cooma-based command have additional
Florence and have them celebrate another exciting
milestone for Snowy 2.0 with us at Tantangara.
presence on the Snowy Mountains Highway and other
13 Celebrating culture and identity key roads to help deter poor driver behaviour. This
new road safety commitment also adds to capacity for
Over near Khancoban, our Murray 1 Power Station
has been on the receiving end of a refurbishment
14 Community & education police undertaking important highway patrol functions
including alcohol and drug testing, checking heavy
project to recondition and replace the bushings of
its generator step-up transformers. This will help
vehicle compliance and timely emergency response. to increase the lifespan of the transformers by an
extra 15 years - an amazing achievement and part of
When combined with improved mobile phone Snowy’s deep commitment to thoroughly maintaining
coverage along the highway - another Snowy Hydro its assets.
partnership with the NSW Government resulting in $1.3
million joint funding to deliver new small cell antennas We’re looking forward to next month’s Nations of
at priority sites between Adaminaby and Talbingo Origin annual multi-sport tournament run by NSW
- it’s a great outcome for community safety, with Police and Citizens Youth Clubs (PCYC). It’s the largest
these important initiatives focusing on roads used by Aboriginal youth sporting event in NSW and is proudly
hundreds of thousands of people. sponsored by Red Energy. The event is part of the Red
and Snowy Hydro funding and support partnership
Within our business we are always looking at new ways with NSW PCYC, which assists this highly-respected
of utilising technology to enhance our operations and organisation in providing a range of youth programs.
improve safety outcomes. Recently we purchased
some of Australia’s first Starlink satellite dishes to help Finally, with winter here, and bearing in mind our
deliver more reliability by providing fast, stable internet collective focus on being safe on the roads, I’d ask
in locations with historically patchy connections. everyone to please be mindful of the unpredictable
and sometimes severe weather conditions that can
You may not know that for 12 years Snowy Hydro has occur at this time of year. If you’re driving please take
operated and grown its commercial and industrial extra care.
(C&I) capability. With our TrueGreen™ 100% renewable
energy guarantee, delivered through our award-
winning retailer Red Energy, we’re enabling C&I
businesses across Australia to transition away from
fossil fuels to renewable energy.
Paul Broad
Follow us These renewable electricity agreements with C&I
customers, combined with Snowy’s existing hydro and
Managing Director and CEO
We welcome your feedback: gas assets, and our 10 wind and solar offtake contracts,
@snowyhydroltd 1800 623 776 communityfeedback@snowyhydro.com.au
are underpinning a stable and secure transition to a
low-carbon emissions future at the lowest cost for
@snowyhydroofficial For more information, please visit our website snowyhydro.com.au. consumers. Snowy 2.0 will only add to this asset base.
Sign-up to our e-newsletter or follow us on Facebook.
This page: Talbingo Reservoir. Cover image: Commissioning of TBM Florence at Tantangara
2 3
PROJECT UPDATE
Marica
Workers at Asphalting on Ravine Road
go
TBM Flo on the
Lobs Hole view
Snowy 2.0’s third and final tunnel boring machine, TBM Florence, has been officially welcomed to the
project with a special event at Tantangara.
Snowy 2.0
Camp gym
Snowy Hydro and Future Generation teams were joined by community and business leaders, school
students and family members of the late Florence McKenzie for a unique opportunity to view the TBM
Sunset over camps at Lobs Hole before it began its journey underground.
Among the special guests was local Berridale student Riley Douch, who won the Snowy 2.0 TBM
Naming Competition, suggesting Florence Violet McKenzie (1890-1982), Australia’s first female
electrical engineer. Some of Florence’s relatives, Scott and Will Wallace and Luke McKew, flew from
Lobs Hole Ravine Road interstate to attend.
The Lady Eileen Hudson tunnel boring machine Providing safe, all-weather access to the Snowy 2.0
(TBM) has now excavated 2.2km of the main access construction sites is key to keeping workers safe and TBM Florence is a mammoth 143-metre machine that will excavate the headrace tunnel linking
tunnel, with 600 metres remaining to reach the the project on track. Ravine Road, the main access Tantangara to the underground power station and providing the water supply to drive the generators.
northern end of the power station complex. Once road into Lobs Hole, is 15km long with 850 metres of
complete, the TBM will be disassembled, extracted elevation difference from top to bottom.
and reassembled at Talbingo. The supporting
services will also need to be reassembled and Upgrade works to improve vehicle access have
recommissioned, ahead of Lady Eileen’s next mission included widening the road to two lanes, with
to excavate the 6km tailrace tunnel heading east 250,000 cubic metres of material excavated. The
from Talbingo to the power station. upper section of the road is above the snow line and
often in the clouds. A newly-laid asphalt surface on
Also at Lobs Hole, TBM Kirsten is gaining momentum, the upper 5.9 kilometres will aid snow clearing and
with approximately 800 metres of the emergency allow lines and snow poles/reflectors to be installed.
cable and ventilation tunnel excavated. This tunnel This will help guide drivers of trucks and other
is parallel to the main access tunnel and passes the vehicles in low visibility conditions. When Snowy
southern end of the power station complex. Once 2.0 is complete, the local community will enjoy the
past the power station, at 2.9km, the Kirsten will be legacy of safe road access to Lobs Hole.
modified to begin uphill excavation for the inclined
pressure shaft. Accommodation camps
The Snowy 2.0 onsite camps are bustling, busy
Tantangara places accommodating about 1,400 workers this
TBM Florence is now fully commissioned has winter at Lobs Hole, Tantangara and Marica.
tunnelled several hundred metres west to Marica,
where it will eventually meet up with TBM Kirsten. Construction of the camps is well-advanced with
The headrace tunnel has a straight alignment and a gyms, mess halls, and entertainment areas built
0.5% downhill gradient, as TBM Florence heads west and walking trails being installed. Workers are
under the Gooandra plateau. This 15km tunnel is bussed in and out of site for their roster swings as a
expected to take about 3.5 years to complete. safety measure to minimise the number of vehicle
movements on the mountain roads.
Main Camp
4 5
TECHNOLOGY
HIGH -TECH HOUND
Snowy Hydro teams regularly investigate ways
new technology can enhance existing operations,
from digital engineering tools to remotely operated
weather measurement systems. One recent trial
utilising scanning technology and autonomous
vehicles could pave the way for sophisticated
remote inspections across certain Snowy assets.
Australian technology company Emesent, a
world leader in drone autonomy, LiDAR mapping
PROJECT UPDATE and data analytics, recently visited the Snowy
Scheme to test a series of scenarios using a
Upstream
Boston Dynamics robotic dog. Emesent’s locally-
developed Hovermap LiDaR scanning hardware
combines scans of the physical environment with
drones and robotic vehicles that can navigate
surge shaft
themselves around the real world with minimal
operator involvement.
The robotic dog, named Spot, demonstrated Spot in action
impressive skills by climbing several sets of stairs
inside Tumut 2 Power Station. An initial scan of the
area allowed the operator to set waypoints for Spot
and then control its progress remotely from the
floor above. In confined spaces, a camera can be
Surge shaft shed under construction at Marica attached to Spot’s back to capture imagery, or a
Surge shaft model
manipulating arm connected to open doors, turn
valves or pull levers.
Snowy 2.0’s upstream surge to start moving. Water coming the water flow is stopped at the The trials gave the Snowy team the opportunity
shaft is located at Marica on down the inclined pressure shaft valve and it takes some time for to understand Hovermap’s capabilities and explore
the headrace tunnel, 2.7km into the turbines with 800 metres about 18 kilometres of water to the potential for a business case towards greater
upstream of the power station at of elevation difference will move come to a full stop. During this safety and productivity using platforms and drones.
1,280m elevation. At 28 metres in significantly faster than water time, extreme water pressures Following a debrief of Spot’s performance during
diameter and 285 metres deep, entering the headrace tunnel at will develop within the tunnel the trials, the Snowy and Emesent teams will
the concrete-lined shaft will Tantangara 16 kilometres away. as the huge volume of water be able to work together to adapt the solutions
be one of the largest diameter A similar concept is the way compresses. and provide input to Hovermap’s product
operational shafts in the world. vehicles move in a traffic jam development roadmap.
- there is a delay between the The surge shaft acts as a
The surge shaft has two key first vehicle moving and the last pressure relief valve for the
purposes for the operation of the vehicle gaining full speed. headrace tunnel, allowing the
power station: as a water storage water to surge up within the
Climbing the stairs at Tumut 2
and vacuum relief when the This supply versus demand issue shaft, well above the water level STAR POWER
power station starts up, and to with initial start-up continues within the Tantangara Reservoir.
absorb the momentum of water until all the water is moving The water then drains out of the
movement within the headrace within the headrace tunnel and surge shaft until it is at the same Anyone who lives or works in remote areas will appreciate the value of reliable internet connection.
tunnel when the power station is the water balance equalises. The level as the reservoir. Snowy Hydro’s recent purchase of some of Australia’s first Starlink satellite dishes will help deliver
shut down. surge shaft stores and provides more reliability by providing fast, stable internet in locations with historically patchy connections.
the additional water volume Construction of the surge shaft
During turbine start-up, water required to manage the supply will span four winters, and with Starlink is a global constellation with 2,000 Low-Earth orbit satellites operated by Elon Musk’s
from the headrace tunnel within and demand profile. Marica above the snow line, a SpaceX aerospace company. The technology is considered a disruptor in the communications space
the inclined pressure shaft starts large shed is being constructed as it provides a fast link in both directions compared with traditional satellite internet, which tended
flowing through the power Once fully operational, water over the top of the shaft to to have slow uplink.
station. When the valves open at typically flows through the power facilitate 24-hour operations in
the turbines, modelling indicates station’s headrace tunnel at all weather conditions. Since acquiring its first dish during Starlink’s beta release in 2021, Snowy has added another two
it will take up to seven minutes four metres per second. When satellite dishes for connectivity at the Snowy team office at Polo Flat, Tooma Dam cottage and the
for the entire length of water the power station is shut down, Hunter Power Project site office.
6 7
Transformer refurbishment at Murray 1
REGIONAL WORKS
CEO Paul Broad and the new highway patrol vehicle
Stepping up
Police explai
at Murray 1
SAFETY n the vehicle
features
An ongoing focus at Snowy Hydro electricity must be reduced to removal of any moisture. The team
Eyes on the road
is ensuring the assets of the iconic low voltage to make it safe for completes welding works and
Scheme are in peak condition residential and commercial use. modification of the old transformer
and ready to generate clean This is the role of transformers - tank and lid, before re-tanking the
renewable energy when needed. to adjust the voltage up or down unit into the original body.
From the smallest mechanical as required.
parts through to giant turbines, The customised dry-out tank was
careful operation and regular The Murray 1 refurbishment built by the Melbourne-based
maintenance is a top priority. program involves the replacement Wilson Transformer Company,
Driving on Snowy Mountains local roads. This includes one new Visible police presence is important of the transformer bushings, which navigated a six-week
roads can be tricky, even for four-wheel drive highway patrol as it can help deter poor driver Inside Murray 1 Power Station, a the ribbed porcelain casings government approval process in
experienced local drivers, as vehicle and two additional police behaviour such as speeding, series of step up transformers that cover the high voltage order to cross the closed Victoria/
conditions can deteriorate at a officers that have been co-funded dangerous overtaking and driving adjust the electricity from the connections. Due to the NSW border during the pandemic.
moment’s notice with a change in by Snowy Hydro and NSW Police. under the influence of alcohol station’s 10 generators ready for dangerous nature of working Local contractors including Roddy
the weather. With roads shared by or drugs. its journey across the transmission around high voltage electricity, Engineering and PHE Tumut have
residents, workers, tourists, and Snowy Hydro’s commitment to network. These original, 50-year- a number of precautionary steps also been involved in the project.
transport companies, every day road safety and driver education Snowy Hydro CEO Paul Broad old transformers are still in good must be followed before the
brings a mix of potential hazards. is in our DNA. In 1959, 10 years said the company’s support for operating condition, but some of components can be replaced. Reconditioning and replacement
before seat belts were made NSW Police and local road safety the internal components must be of the bushings will help to
A new road safety commitment compulsory in Australia, Sir operations would benefit all replaced to ensure continued Firstly, the transformer is increase the lifespan of the
between Snowy Hydro and NSW William Hudson mandated that road users. “Safety is, and always safe operations. removed from service and a transformers by an extra 15
Police will expand police presence all Snowy vehicles have seat belts will be, the highest priority for spare transformer put in its place. years. The Murray 1 transformer
by increasing highway patrols in fitted and all staff and workers Snowy Hydro. We are proud to When electricity is generated, The offline transformer is then refurbishment, along with
the Snowy Mountains over the wear them when driving. On the be supporting this joint initiative it undergoes a series of detanked, which involves taking similar programs at Blowering
next three years. education side, Snowy’s Young with NSW Police to increase transformations before it powers off the lid, removing the active Power Station and Jindabyne
Driver Training program has highway patrols throughout the our homes. Typically, electricity parts (including the core and coils) Pumping Station, is expected to
Two highway patrol vehicles and helped hundreds of learner drivers Snowy Mountains. These are the travels at high voltage across and carrying out inspections and wrap up later this year. Bushing
five more police officers are now understand the dangers of alpine communities in which we live, power lines to reduce energy any necessary repairs. The active replacements in Tumut 3’s step-up
available for patrols on the Snowy driving with practical behind-the- work and serve.” loss during transmission. When parts are placed into a spare tank transformers will continue through
Mountains Highway and other wheel training sessions. it reaches its destination, the for a dry-out process to ensure the to the end of 2024.
8 9
Bango wind farm
COMMERCIAL & INDUSTRIAL
TRUEGREEN
RENEWABLE ENERGY
The Snowy Group’s Commercial requirements for customers road, bringing the university a
and Industrial (C&I) business, to be granted market-leading step closer to its target of net
which started in 2011 to accreditation. Another product zero emissions by 2030.
provide customer optionality in development provides
to Snowy and diversification economical renewable energy The Victorian Energy
of our successful Red Energy alongside mandatory and Collaboration (VECO) is the
business, has grown to be matching certification. These largest emissions reduction
a market-leading retailer, diverse, flexible, and secure project ever undertaken by
providing award-winning renewable energy offerings the local government sector in
service across 11,000 sites. enable C&I businesses across Australia. 46 Victorian Councils
Our renewable electricity Australia to transition to have pooled their electricity
agreements with C&I renewable energy. needs into one long-term
customers, combined with contract with Snowy Hydro and
Snowy’s existing hydro and The University of Newcastle Red Energy, which will provide
gas assets and 10 wind and was the first university to sign the VECO group with renewable
solar offtake contracts, are a TrueGreen™ 100% renewable energy generated from wind
underpinning the nation’s electricity contract to power farms in Victoria. This initiative
secure and stable transition to a its Newcastle and Central will lower Victoria’s carbon
low-carbon emissions future at Coast campuses. Macquarie footprint by 260,000 tonnes of
the lowest cost for consumers. University’s TrueGreen™ CO2 each year.
Snowy 2.0 and the Kurri contract with Snowy Hydro and
Kurri gas plant will be crucial Red Energy will enable a switch Sal Tringali, Head of C&I at
additions to this asset base. to a 100% renewable electricity Snowy Hydro, said: “We are
source for its North Ryde excited to be the leading
Snowy Hydro is currently campus. Both contracts are for renewable energy producer
offering C&I customers a seven years. and proud of the fact that we
premium renewable energy are able to assist our customers
product - TrueGreen™ - The University of Sydney will be in navigating a least-cost, least-
comprising 100% renewable powered by 100% renewable risk path to decarbonisation,
energy, matched with 100% electricity by the Snowy group through providing market-
renewable certificates from 1 July 2022. The positive leading, premium renewable
(LGCs). Our TrueGreen™ impact will be in excess of products, alongside industry-
product also meets the removing 31,200 cars from the best customer service.”
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RED ENERGY
Nations of Origin
DISCOVER
THE SNOWY
SCHEME Celebrating culture
Stop by for a coffee on your way to the Snowy
Mountains.
and identity
Play in our interactive immersive theatre
experience.
Playing sport has long been encourage indigenous youth to programs. Many return to the
Discover more about the past, present and associated with fitness and celebrate their diverse culture. Nations of Origin tournament
future of the mighty Snowy Scheme, Snowy friendship, as well as a fun way It is now the largest Aboriginal in subsequent years as youth
to learn about teamwork and youth sporting event in NSW, mentors.
Hydro and renewables. community spirit. Nations of with more than 1,400 young
Origin, a multi-sport tournament people competing in previous PCYC is Australia’s pre-eminent
run by the Police Citizens Youth years. youth organisation working with
Club (PCYC) NSW, takes these the community and police to
V ISI T U S benefits even further with a focus This year’s tournament will kick empower young people to make
on indigenous culture and stories off on 12 July at Port Stephens positive life choices in a safe,
of identity. in the NSW Hunter region, with mentor-rich environment.
Snowy Hydro Discovery teams competing over four days
Centre and Cafe Red Energy and Snowy Hydro in rugby league, football fives, The Red Energy and Snowy
are the major sponsors of the basketball, gymnastics and Hydro partnership also provides
Monaro Highway, Cooma Nations of Origin event held each netball. Each team represents funding and support for other
year as part of NAIDOC week an Aboriginal nation, wears the PCYC NSW programs including
Open 7 days celebrations. Since its inception, totem of that nation and must Fit For Work, which is designed
Weekdays 8am - 4.30pm the tournament has brought have both indigenous and non- to increase employment
Weekends and public together thousands of players, indigenous players in a ratio of opportunities and is linked to
volunteers and mentors from 70:30. the NSW Police Commissioner’s
holidays 9am - 2pm across NSW. With key pillars of RISEUP strategy. Red Energy is
education, reconciliation, cultural Past players say they loved also able to deliver electricity
identity and sport, players also meeting young people from supply efficiencies and savings
need to meet a range of criteria around the state, representing that allow the PCYC to invest
to compete, including a minimum their own culture and learning more of their resources into youth
Got an event or function coming up? of 80% school attendance. about other communities. On programs.
average around 60 participants
The Discovery Centre is available to The idea of Nations of Origin in Nations of Origin go on each Nations of Origin runs until 15
came about after consultation year to further develop their skills July, with each of the five sports
host functions/events for up to 100 with young people and Aboriginal and complete PCYC NSW Blue held at different locations around
people. communities and aims to Star Citizenship or Leadership the Port Stephens area.
To find out more or to book please
email bookings@snowyhydro.com.au
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W
COMMUNITY & EDUCATION Community grants announced H20 Kids I Spy with my little eye
H20 kids activities in Cooma The Snowy Hydro H20 Kids holiday A new addition to Snowy Hydro’s Next Generation
Round 1 of the Snowy Hydro Community Grants program is run through our local out of Education Hub is a fun series of activity sheets called,
Program has attracted strong interest from school hours (OOSH) providers as part of I Spy. Testing observation skills and basic maths, the
more than 60 applicants, with grants awarded to each centre’s individual holiday program. activity involves searching for a number of icons that
projects focused on sport, health, events and the Providers can opt for either an excursion represent different parts of the Snowy Scheme and
environment. to the Discovery Centre in Cooma or an hydro-electricity generation, including transmission
incursion visit to their centre as part of our towers, safety vests and snowflakes.
outreach program.
Recipients include Monaro Committee for Cancer
Snowy Hydro’s Next Generation Education Hub has
Research to support living costs and medical
Over the Easter school holiday break there plenty of activity sheets to explore and download at
expenses for local cancer patients, Tumut
was much fun, laughter and excitement snowyhydro.com.au/education/nextgen.
Swimming Club for a branded gazebo and PA
as the kids from across five OOSH centres
system, and Adelong Alive Museum for a new
got busy learning about the water cycle,
computer. Grant funding has also been awarded
tunnel boring machines and the power of
for the establishment of an interpretive indigenous
water program delivered at the Discovery
walking trail and to secure spots for Khancoban and
Centre.
Corryong youth to attend a pilot Outward Bound
program.
Kids had a blast, with hands-on weather
Activity 7
Science
Introduction to Snowy Hydro
experiments, making their own playdough I spy
If you have a burning idea to boost the Snowy mountains and engineering their
Mountains region, get cracking and participate in uniquely designed TBMs. They delved
our next round of applications. Round 2 opens on 1 into the STEM experiments like true Overview Instructions
September 2022 and closes 15 October. little engineers, bringing their curious
minds, problem-solving skills and many
Construction of the Snowy Scheme took Spot each of the icons in the box below. Find
25 years from 1949 to 1974. An incredible the number of icons listed and colour each in as
For more information on eligibility, assessment
engineering feat, this complex interconnected they are found.
questions formed through critical thinking. hydro-electric scheme uses the power of water
Hint - choose a different colour for each icon set
criteria and to access the online application form;
to generate clean, renewable energy.
For details on upcoming H2O Kids
snowyhydro.com.au/communitygrantsprogram holiday programs: snowyhydro.com.au/
education/education-programs
Careers at Snowy Hydro
Interviews will soon commence for the next round
r at work of trainees and apprentices to join the Snowy Hydro
tice and mento
Snowy appren team. A range of entry-level programs is on offer
for school leavers, university graduates and TAFE
students, with opportunities across engineering,
A venue like no other science and mechanical and electrical trades.
After a series of interviews, online testing, medical
Are you looking for a unique space to hold an and reference checks, successful applicants for
upcoming event? Snowy Hydro’s Discovery the 2023 intake of trainees and apprentices will Visit us at: snowyhydro.com.au
Centre is now available for hire and could be be offered the opportunity to start their very own
the perfect venue to run a team workshop, Snowy story.
community forum or industry conference.
With plenty of parking, wheelchair access
Snowy Hydro traineeships offer 12 months’
full-time employment in business administration or Women in STEM
and a spacious cafe, the Cooma venue information technology, with the ability to study and
offers guests a fascinating glimpse of the work at the same time. Apprenticeships in electrical In May, astrophysicist, science communicator
mighty Snowy Scheme’s history, current day and mechanical trades at Snowy are a four-year and Snowy 2.0 TBM namesake, Kirsten Banks,
operations and future plans. There’s also a development program with the opportunity to
joined Snowy Hydro engineer Kirsten Brennan
state-of-the-art immersive theatre with a live and work in a new region every 12 months.
14-metre wide screen, guaranteed to keep Successful applicants typically have a solutions- on a Q&A panel in the immersive theatre at
guests fully engaged in your presentation! based mindset, can think outside the box and are the Snowy Hydro Discovery Centre to answer
keen to bring new ideas to the Snowy business. questions about their careers in STEM. Local
For more information or to book your next students joined Snowy Hydro employees for
event, contact us using the email address, For the latest information on career opportunities at lunch with the two Kirstens.
bookings@snowyhydro.com.au Snowy Hydro, visit snowyhydro.com.au/careers/
Kirsten Banks (right) and Kirsten Brennan, Q&A panel
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