Note this event is online and in person in Brisbane

Overview

Tasmania’s hydropower network has played a critical role in Australia’s renewable energy landscape for more than a century. As ageing infrastructure is upgraded to meet future energy demands, engineers are increasingly required to balance operational continuity, complex geology, environmental considerations, and modern construction approaches.

This presentation will provide an overview of the Lake King William upgrade works delivered by Hydro Tasmania and Entura, with support from PSM as part of the Integrated Owner’s Engineering Team. Located in Tasmania’s Central Highlands, the project involved excavation through challenging Jurassic dolerite and required innovative engineering and construction solutions to manage geotechnical risk, site constraints, and long term asset performance.  Attendees will gain practical insights into the delivery of large scale hydropower infrastructure projects, including stakeholder collaboration, engineering decision making, and lessons learned from working in complex geological conditions. The session will also explore the broader importance of hydropower modernisation in supporting Tasmania’s renewable energy future and maintaining resilient energy infrastructure.

Program timeline

Online

6.00pm – Presentation commences

7.00pm – Presentation concludes

In-Person

5.30pm – Registration opens, catering & refreshments

6.00pm – Presentation commences

7.00pm – Presentation concludes

7.30pm – Event concludes

Learning outcomes

In this presentation, you will learn :

• How hydropower infrastructure upgrades support Tasmania’s future energy system
• Key engineering and geotechnical challenges encountered on the Lake King William upgrade
• Practical approaches to managing excavation and construction risks in complex geological environments
• Lessons learned from collaboration across integrated engineering and project delivery teams

About the speaker

Harry Buchanan

Senior Geotechnical Engineer, PSM

Harry is a senior geotechnical engineer with a keen interest in underground structures and mining. He has over 4 years experience in a variety of projects from feasibility studies to detailed design and construction phase services in both mining and civil works. Harry has been involved in the design and construction of wide span caverns, mined tunnels and shafts on the Cross River Rail project.