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Goulburn Murray’s water use has been optimised with a new irrigation, SCADA and telemetry system…

Industry

Utilities: Water

Outcome
SAGE delivered a radio network that forms a crucial backbone for the control of water distribution for this region. In addition to the radio network, SAGE has driven the development of an integrated RTU solution for meters which reduced cost and provided the flexibility of multiple meter suppliers.
Capability
Network (water) infrastructure control, RTU programming and installation, low to medium voltage systems, project management from planning and design through to commissioning. 
Region
Shepparton, Victoria, Australia

Peter Walsh, FutureFlow Alliance Manager

"SAGE’s performance on the project has been exceptional. Its expertise and professionalism has been invaluable to us.” 

Challenge

The Goulburn-Murray Water Irrigation System delivers gravity fed water across Northern Victoria from Yarrawonga to Swan Hill. Due to manual operation methods, it lost up to a third of this water – Estimated at 800 Gigalitres per year - and was unreliable in its delivery of water to irrigators.

The modernisation project, estimated to cost $2 billion dollars over five years, aimed to minimise these losses. How? Through automation of channels using radio controlled, solar powered technology to control distribution. In addition it would replace old “Dethridge Wheel” meters with remote read and actuated meters, and undertake remediation works and channel rationalisation.

This project was managed via FutureFlow, an alliance between Goulburn-Murray Water, Transfield Services, Sinclair Knight Merz and Comdain Constructions.

Solution

SAGE Automation was invited to form a sub-alliance to project manage the SCADA and telemetry component of these works.

The radio network forms a crucial backbone for the collection of system data and delivery of remote controlled signals for the control of water distribution for this region.

Since March 2008 SAGE have had a small but crucial team located at offices in Shepparton. This team provides management and direction for the planning, integration and supervision of the new network which is the largest of its kind in the world.

In addition to the radio network, SAGE has lead the development of an integrated RTU solution for meters which has reduced the overall cost and provided the flexibility of multiple meter suppliers.

Outcome

SAGE successfully delivered all of the works under the FutureFlow Alliance agreement, within the projected budget.

The development of a communication infrastructure was integral to the successful outcome of the project and SAGE was appointed for further works.

In March 2010, the project was recognised by the Australian Water Association Awards for Excellence, taking out the 2009 Infrastructure Project Innovation Award.

Water irrigation success

Project specifications

  • Network (water) infrastructure control and telemetry integration
  • Installing remote telemetry in multiple locations
  • Programming RTU and associated communication systems
  • Meeting complex and unique technical requirements
  • Development of integrated metering/RTUs
  • Seamless interfacing with multiple stakeholders and relevant authorities
  • Design and installation of low – medium voltage systems
  • Project management
  • Design development and design management
  • Estimating, cost planning, scheduling and procurement

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