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Electricity Industry recognises excellence

Electricity Industry recognises safety and engineering excellence and a future leader

The Electricity Engineers' Association – 22 June 2016

National awards for workplace safety, engineering excellence and young engineer of the year were presented today at the Electricity Engineers'Association Conference in Wellington.

“The EEA awards celebrate best practice, recognise achievements and allow the electricity supply industry to share experience and knowledge,” saidPeter Berry, executive director of the Electricity Engineers' Association (EEA).

Winners of the Workplace Safety Award are Delta Utility Services, for their Arc Flash Estimator Tool, designed to protect electricity workers from shock injury.

“The Delta developed tool is proving invaluable in assessing and managing Low Voltage Arc Flash hazards, a very real issue for teams working in the field, and installation designers,” said Peter Berry. “We can see a great future for this tool across our industry.”

The project sprung from industry requirements around arc flash prevention, and safety in design. The initiative involved staff engagement at all levels to gather and assess vital, site specific information and manage risk while working on or near live lines or equipment.

“I would like to acknowledge the passionate people involved in this project,” said Rob Douglas, Power Systems Engineer of Delta Utility Services. “It's putting a tool in the hands of many people, improving safety.”

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The EEA Engineering Excellence Award was presented to Meridian Energy for their Manapouri Transformer Project, delivering 100 tonne transformers over challenging terrain and installing rapidly.

“Designing, manufacturing and moving 100 tonne transformers across the sea, over remote and steep gravel roads and then down a tunnel 200 metres underground is no easy task,” commented Peter Berry. “Yet design to delivery was just 19 weeks, after routine maintenance found faults in three of the seven existing transformers, installed five decades ago.”

The project overcame all logistical hurdles, and involved people from Meridian, transport companies, manufacturers, environmental, regulatory and biosecurity agencies, local authorities and business.

Transformer supply included design, manufacture and shipping. Site enabling works included removing the old transformers and getting wharf and roads ready. Installation included control systems design, and to add to the challenge implementation took place over Christmas with units brought online as quickly as possible.

“Thank you to the EEA. I am accepting this award on behalf of Meridian,” said Project Delivery Manager Nick Horswell. “But also on behalf of the project team, which consisted of about 120 people. It's a remarkable achievement.”

The winner of the 2016 EEA Young Engineer of the Year Award is Dr Rowan Sinton of Meridian Energy.

Rowan received his doctorate in the 'blue sky research' area of plasma science around long distance exploding wires. He has worked in HV labs in Austria and Switzerland, and for PBA on primary plant, protection and hydro generation. At Meridian Energy he has proven his technical, communication, and leadership capabilities at a tender age, providing a technical lead role in major capital projects. His nomination from senior managers stated; 'Rowan has brought a different perspective to the team and a different way of looking at and resolving issues..'

As part of this Award, Rowan will be representing New Zealand, joining top young power engineers from around the world, as a guest of the IEC at their 2016 Young Professionals Workshop in October, part of the IEC General Meeting in Frankfurt, Germany. EEA and Standards NZ will be jointly supporting Rowan's attendance at this event.

Rowan Sinton praised the mentors who had guided his engineering career to date and nominated him for the award. “I really appreciate what they wrote and I'm happy to receive this award,” he said.

“The nominations and entries to these awards clearly demonstrate that the Electricity Supply Industry has many highly skilled, innovative and dedicated engineers and safety professionals,” says Peter Berry.

ENDS

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