In the early 1900s Sydney was transformed by its first electric lighting system, which was so bright compared to gas lamps it was hailed as “turning night into day”. The network did much more than just light up the streets. It democratised power, electrifying communities, homes and businesses for the first time. The system, designed by London based engineering consultants Preece & Cardew, became the basis for today’s electricity grid and ushered in a century of electrical evolution as the system rapidly expanded to meet soaring demand.

Today society is facing a new kind of energy transformation: to decarbonise systems based on fossil fuels and build in climate resilience. This episode explores the opportunities and challenges from connecting in new renewable generation and supporting radical operational changes, to delivering social value and ensuring a just and equitable transition.

Guests

Paul Currie, energy leader Asia Pacific, New Zealand and Australia, Mott MacDonald

David Hawkins, Solar and BESS market sector leader, Australia, Mott MacDonald

Dr Simon Harrison, group head of strategy, Mott MacDonald

Clare Wildfire, global cities leader, Mott MacDonald

Someswar Chakravorty, technical specialist, HVDC, Mott MacDonald

Resources

Pioneering Pumped Storage

City of Sydney Archive

Transferability of engineering skills for the clean energy transition, by Engineers Australia and Mott MacDonald

Partner

Mott MacDonald is a global engineering, management and development consultancy focussed on improving society by considering social outcome and relentlessly focussing on excellence and digital innovation. Preece & Cardew is a predecessor company of Mott MacDonald founded in 1899.

The post #301 Electrifying Sydney: Transformational Energy Systems  first appeared on Engineering Matters.