Australian Tunnelling Society

ATSymx BTSym: Underground Power: Pumped Hydro Developments in the UK and Australia
2025-07-17 18:30 - 19:30 (Australia/Melbourne) | Webinar and IN PERSON at SMEC in Sydney, Level 7, 40 Mount Street, North Sydney, NSW, 2060, Australia
Event Overview
The Australian Tunnelling Society Young Members (ATSym) and the British Tunnelling Society Young Members (BTSym) are proud to host their first-ever joint international event, uniting early-career professionals from opposite sides of the globe for a shared discussion on one of the most critical energy transition technologies: pumped hydro.
With pumped storage schemes gaining momentum as a key enabler of large-scale renewable energy storage, this technical session will explore two major projects shaping the underground infrastructure landscape in their respective regions.
Join us for an engaging and collaborative session as we learn from each other’s challenges and achievements in delivering complex underground works for pumped hydro storage.
This is a rare opportunity to hear directly from professionals on two of the world’s most significant pumped hydro developments – don’t miss it.
NOTE: If you are based in Sydney, please consider attending in person from 6PM. It will be great opportunity for a catch up with colleagues and networking with new contacts.
Who Should Attend
This event is ideal for:

Young professionals and students in tunnelling, geotechnical, civil, and hydro engineering
Engineers and project managers working on energy infrastructure
Those interested in large-scale underground construction and global perspectives on energy transition
ATS and BTS members and the wider tunnelling community

Event Agenda

Welcome and Opening – ATSym
Introduction to BTSym
BTSym Presentation: Tobias Bisenberger & Aitor Perez Suescun
ATSym Presentation: Igor Buvac & Sean Edwards
Joint Q&A and Closing Remarks

Speakers – United Kingdom

Tobias Bisenberger
Construction Manager – Tunnels, STRABAG
Tobias studied Civil Engineering in Vienna and completed his PhD in Mechanised Tunnelling, focusing on contract models dealing with deviating construction timelines. He joined STRABAG in 2021 and has been involved in Pumped Storage Hydro schemes in the UK since 2022. Based in Vienna, Tobias supports UK projects on a rotational basis, contributing his tunnelling expertise to energy infrastructure.

Aitor Perez Suescun
Senior Project Manager – Dams, STRABAG
Aitor is a passionate civil engineer with over 12 years of global experience in ground engineering and dam construction. Having studied in Spain and Denmark, he has worked across five countries and now resides in London, UK. Aitor brings a deep understanding of multidisciplinary civil infrastructure delivery in complex environments.
UK Presentation Overview
The presentation will outline the UK government’s “Clean Power 2030” action plan and its implications for pumped hydro development. Aitor and Tobias will provide an overview of the UK’s pipeline of pumped storage schemes and present a case study from the Scottish Highlands. The project, supported by STRABAG, involves optimising the reference design’s underground structures and represents a key step in the UK’s clean energy future.
Speakers – Australia

Igor Buvac
Experienced Engineer – Tunnels, SMEC
Igor is a Civil Engineer with over 5 years of experience across major infrastructure projects. He holds degrees from UNSW in Civil Engineering and Geotechnical Engineering. Igor has been a central part of the Snowy 2.0 Owner’s Team for over three years, working across design, TBM operations, grouting, and permanent linings.

Sean Edwards
Graduate Engineer – Tunnels, SMEC
Sean is a Graduate Engineer from Western Sydney University, with hands-on experience in TBM and drill-and-blast tunnelling, segmental linings, caverns, and intake shafts. He has contributed to automation and modelling tools using RS3, FLAC, and Strand7, and brings a strong interdisciplinary approach to underground engineering and data-driven design.
Australia Presentation Overview
Snowy 2.0 is Australia’s largest renewable energy project, adding 2,200 MW of pumped hydro capacity and deep energy storage to support the national transition to renewables. The presentation will provide a project update and technical insights into the construction of over 40km of underground works, including a cavern complex 800m below ground. Igor and Sean will share lessons learned from design, construction, and coordination within one of Australia’s most iconic infrastructure projects.

Australasian Tunnelling Conference 10th - 14th November 2025
2025-11-10 08:00 - 2025-11-14 17:00 (Australia/Perth) | Perth Convention and Exhibition Centre
The Australian Tunnelling Conference 2025 (ATC 2025) fast approaching, and we’re excited to invite you to contribute your insights and innovations, as well as sponsor this premier event.
Check out the conference’s dedicated website here to learn more about this exciting event: Australasian Tunnelling Conference 2025

ATS Tunnelthon 2026 - Team registration
2026-08-13 - 2026-08-20 | Level 9, 340 Adelaide Street, Brisbane
Overview
ATS Tunnelthon 2026 is an innovation focused, in person hackathon designed specifically for the Australian tunnelling and geotechnical engineering industry. Organised by the Australian Tunnelling Society Young Members (ATSym), the event brings together industry professionals, researchers, and students to collaborate on real world tunnelling challenges using artificial intelligence, automation, and digital engineering approaches.
Unlike traditional conferences or seminars, Tunnelthon is highly interactive and outcome driven. Participants work in multidisciplinary teams during a structured, time bound session to explore defined problem statements through rapid ideation, collaboration, and solution design. The hackathon format encourages creative thinking, systems based-problem solving, and the practical application of emerging technologies within a professional engineering context.
Participants are expected to commit approximately 12–15 hours of their own time across the week to actively engage in the program.
The event is designed to be accessible to participants with varied technical backgrounds. While familiarity with digital tools is beneficial, no advanced programming or AI expertise is required.
Please refer to the attached document for more information on the program and participation guidelines.
Tunnelthon 2026 – Event Description

Program timeline
NOTE: Tunnelthon is delivered as a two-part hackathon spread across two event days, with an independent working period in between.
Day 1 – 13th August – Problem Definition & Team Formation
5.00pm AEST – Arrival and informal networking
5.30pm AEST – Introduction to the event theme and overview of problem statements
6.00pm AEST – Team formation, brainstorming, development of solution frameworks and work allocation within the team
7.00pm AEST – Submission of team frameworks and work allocation to the organisers
Day 2 – 20th August – Presentations & Judging
2.00pm AEST – Access to shared collaborative workspace at Engineers Australia office for final solution development
5.00pm AEST – Arrival of industry audience
5.30pm AEST – Team presentations and interactive discussions with judges
6.30pm AEST – Judges’ deliberation and announcement of winners and runners‑up
7.30pm AEST – Prize distribution and event close

Learning outcomes
Key outcomes of this event are:

Gain exposure to innovative, practical approaches to tunnelling related challenges
Develop an understanding of how AI, automation, and digital engineering tools can be applied in tunnelling projects
Strengthen collaboration and systems thinking skills through multidisciplinary teamwork
Increase professional visibility and confidence in presenting technical ideas

Hosted by the Australian Tunnelling Society (ATS)

ATS Tunnelthon 2026 - Team showcase
2026-08-20 17:00 - 19:30 (Australia/Brisbane) | Level 9, 340 Adelaide Street, Brisbane
Overview
Join us for the ATS Tunnelthon 2026 Showcase event, where participants will present the innovative solutions developed during this industry-focused hackathon. Tunnelthon 2026 brings together professionals, researchers, and students from the tunnelling and geotechnical engineering community to tackle real-world challenges using artificial intelligence, automation, and digital engineering approaches. Throughout the program, participants have worked in multidisciplinary teams to explore problem statements, apply creative thinking, and design practical solutions within a fast-paced, collaborative environment.
This showcase event offers a unique opportunity for attendees to:

Discover the projects developed during the hackathon
Engage with participants and learn about their problem-solving approaches
Gain insights into emerging technologies shaping the future of tunnelling and geotechnical engineering

The event highlights the innovation, collaboration, and forward-thinking ideas generated through Tunnelthon. Whether you are an industry professional, student, or simply interested in engineering innovation, this is a great opportunity to connect with the community and see the outcomes of this dynamic initiative.
Program timeline
5.00pm AEST – Arrival of industry audience
5.30pm AEST – Team presentations and interactive discussions with judges
6.30pm AEST – Judges’ deliberation and announcement of winners and runners up
7.30pm AEST – Prize distribution and event close
Learning outcomes
By attending this event, participants will:

Gain insight into how multidisciplinary teams approach real-world tunnelling challenges
Understand how emerging technologies such as AI, automation, and digital engineering can be applied in practice
Explore different problem-solving methodologies used in a fast-paced, collaborative environment
Learn about key considerations in designing innovative and practical engineering solutions
Connect with professionals, researchers, and students within the tunnelling and geotechnical community

Australian Tunnelling Conference 2027 (ATC2027)
2027-11-08 - 2027-11-11
Save the Date – ATC2027, Brisbane
The Australian Tunnelling Conference (ATC2027) will take place in Brisbane from 8–11 November 2027.
Under the theme “Shaping an Underground Future: Technology, Sustainability & Resilience,” the conference will bring together industry, academia, and government to explore the full lifecycle of tunnelling. The program will highlight Australian experience and leadership, spanning operations, asset renewal and transformation, and resource and post-mining applications, alongside emerging priorities in planning and societal integration.
Further details will be released soon — we look forward to welcoming you to Brisbane.
