Adaptability in engineering is key to successful project delivery according to a young engineer who recently took part in Australia’s first operational pumped hydro project since the Wivenhoe Hydro Power Station which opened in 1984.
The ‘Water Battery Build’ was a groundbreaking training program recently delivered by Constructionarium Australia; a not-for-profit organisation providing a safe environment for new engineers to develop team working skills, problem solving capabilities and real-world experience building replicas of larger structures.
Through the ‘Water Battery Build’, Wagners Composite Fibre Technologies (CFT) Graduate Engineer, Muhammad Qasim, alongside 17 other young engineers, enjoyed a hands-on learning experience where they had to plan, tender, build and handover a scale project that resembled an iconic civil engineering feat.
“Just like Wivenhoe, a pumped hydro system essentially stores and generates electricity by moving water between two reservoirs at different elevations utilising gravitational potential energy,” Muhammad Qasim said.
“In our case the project involved two water tanks, a 27,500-litre lower reservoir and a 22,500-litre upper reservoir, positioned on a nine metre high tower which featured Wagners CFT mesh decking donated by the business. The water was pumped from the lower reservoir to the upper using solar power generated by panels attached to the tower in the day, and during low light the water from the upper reservoir was released to the bottom, passing through a turbine to generate electricity.”
“The end goal was to power a string of lights attached to two other Constructionarium Australia builds; a scaled down version of the Eleanor Schonell Bridge and The Story Bridge both currently located at the Construction Training Centre in Salisbury, Queensland,” he said.
Pictured – The ‘Water Battery Build’ is the first operational pumped hydro project since the Wivenhoe Hydro Power Station which opened in 1984.
Participants were exposed to every aspect of the build from tendering right through to practical completion.
“Throughout the eight-day training program, we young engineers were fully immersed in every phase of the project, from the tendering process all the way through to commissioning,” Muhammad Qasim said.
“For someone like me, whose background is primarily in structural engineering and office-based work, this was an entirely new experience and my first real exposure to the tendering process.”
“I quickly learned just how detailed and comprehensive these documents needed to be and preparing the tender required us to think about every aspect of the project – costs, timelines, construction methodology and safety, all while considering real-world constraints,” he said.
One of the unique aspects of the program was that the participants’ roles rotated daily giving everyone a taste of all the key positions on a project site.
“One day I was acting as a Project Controls Manager, responsible for tracking the budget and project timeline; the next day I was the Safety Officer, ensuring all team members adhered to safety protocols,” Muhammad Qasim said.
“This rotation not only broadened my understanding of project management but also deepened my respect for the collaborative nature of construction. Every role, from traffic coordinator to project manager plays a critical part in delivering a successful project and learning how to handle everything from work breakdown structure to Safe Work Method Statements added a completely new dimension to my engineering knowledge.”
“The teamwork and collaboration were among the most rewarding aspects of the program. As a group we were extremely diverse with backgrounds in chemical, mechanical and civil engineering from firms like GHD, Fulton Hogan and Queensland Transport & Main Roads; all bringing different perspectives and expertise to the table,” he said.
“Working alongside this group, I quickly realised how essential open communication and mutual respect were in achieving project goals and how each and every person brought something unique to the project; it’s as if through this blend of skills we were able to overcome challenges and successfully commission the water battery.”
Pictured – Participants were exposed to all roles in a build project from tendering to budgeting and safety.
Participants gained valuable experience from just being on a construction site.
“As someone who had never been on-site before, I was suddenly faced with the realities of construction; unforeseen issues, tight deadlines and the need for quick decision-making. I learned that plans, no matter how detailed, will always require adjustment in the field and being adaptable is key to success,” Muhammad Qasim said.
“I also gained practical skills in budget tracking and schedule management – two areas that are outside my usual scope as a structural engineer. The daily project presentation we delivered as a team was another great learning experience, helping me sharpen my communications skills while tracking project progress.”
“But what really made the ‘Water Battery Build’ special were the daily Lunch & Learn sessions which featured industry professionals from companies like Queensland Hydro and Fulton Hogan; professionals sharing their insights on career development, the future of pumped hydro energy storage and the role of sustainability in engineering,” he said.
“Each session offered us a chance to step back from the project and think about the broader context of our work and how the projects we are involved in today are shaping the energy landscape of tomorrow.”
“The ‘Water Battery Build’ project has been transformative for me as a young engineer and I’ve walked away with a greater understanding of Wagners CFT products but also a wealth of knowledge about the construction industry and its many facets. I’ve been really honoured to represent Wagners CFT in this project and to contribute to an initiative that will hopefully inspire future generations of engineers.”
Pictured – 18 young engineers from firms throughout Queensland took part in the ‘Water Battery Build’.
For more information on Constructionarium Australia and their Queensland builds visit https://www.constructionariumaustralia.com.au/queensland
