Ideas for a faster energy transition
Options for speeding up Australia's energy project lifecycle including approvals, social licence, delivery management and commercial innovation.
01 January 0001 | 7 min read
Energy transition
Electricity grid and transmission networks
Supporting strategic and sustainable energy connections
As electricity markets evolve to embrace a greater mix of generation types (renewables), the transmission infrastructure we use to transport and distribute energy resources must evolve as well.
Significant changes to transmission infrastructure are needed to support the flow of energy from a number of generation sources and locations in a safe, reliable, and cost-effective manner while managing peak demand, and avoiding outages.
In addition to competing for suitable land, social license, and government approvals, transmission infrastructure often traverses both public and private land. The grid needs to integrate with and support other economically and socially valuable activities such as agriculture, mining, forestry, and residential development, and it must tread as lightly as possible on the natural environment.
Drawing on decades of experience working on large-scale energy projects all over the world, we support clients to make robust investment decisions about transmission and distribution infrastructure. Whether you're a transmission infrastructure owner, operator, or are looking to integrate and secure connection for other assets, RPS is here to help your plan for success and engage positively with local stakeholders and communities.
Transmission infrastructure expertise
We offer a range of strategic and technical consultancy services to energy network project investors, developers and governments, including:
Economic assessment and options analysis
How we help
We develop valuable insights on the profile, performance, and potential of energy markets, consumers, and trends. We investigate and report on the benefits and challenges of grid systems and provide independent evaluation to help you manage your infrastructure portfolio, and invest wisely in transmission assets.
Due diligence and business case development
How we help
Whether you are investing in new infrastructure or upgrading existing network assets, RPS can help you to develop your business case and project scope. We offer the advice and guidance you need to define what success looks like for your project and develop a clear, well-informed plan for achieving your energy investment goals.
Asset integration and grid connections
How we help
We support project proponents to negotiate and plan grid connections in partnership with market regulators and operators. We can help you to identify connection opportunities, integrate generation infrastructure with the broader transmission network, secure planning approvals, and more.
Spatial data acquisition, analysis and visualisation
How we help
Using state-of-the-art surveying and mapping technologies, we help energy project engineers, designers, and contractors to understand their operational environment, design with confidence, and deliver grid projects on time and on budget. From aerial LiDAR mapping that offers detailed information about site topography, to the ongoing condition assessment of infrastructure to support network efficiency and asset maintenance, we can customise a spatial data solution to fit your project requirements.
Site selection and planning
How we help
We support project proponents to make evidence-based decisions about site selection, and the integration of transmission infrastructure within existing sites and communities. We can help you achieve confidence in your assets’ location, define design criteria and accommodate environmental and operational constraints.
Visual impact assessment
How we help
We use smart technologies to assess the impact of grid development options and shape design outcomes that integrate projects appropriately with existing built form, and natural features. Our visual impact specialists can assist you to manage key community concerns about the visual impact of transmission infrastructure development proposals.
Environmental permitting and compliance
How we help
We guide clients to navigate complex environmental approval pathways that allow projects to deliver intended benefits while respecting the broader environmental context. Our consultants have extensive experience across many markets and can help you navigate the environmental permitting and compliance requirements for grid infrastructure projects at all scales.
Communications and stakeholder engagement
How we help
RPS can help you engage with key stakeholders and local communities to gain social license and approvals to proceed. Drawing on years of experience supporting communications and engagement on large-scale legislative approvals processes and significant energy initiatives, we add value through strategic advice, communications and engagement strategy, project branding, creative design, data analytics, community relations, and more.
Program and project management
How we help
No matter the size of your business, or the scale of your investment in transmission infrastructure, RPS has management solutions and personnel to support you. From strategic advice on project methodology, benefits and integration, to value management, consultant engagement, and coordination, RPS can act as a trusted project management advisor to your organisation, or as a fully embedded member of your delivery team.
Ideas for a faster energy transition
Across RPS, our consultants are supporting energy clients to navigate complexity and propel projects forward through improvement across all phases of the project lifecycle. Discover our insights on how project owners can accelerate across five key aspects of energy project delivery:
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Insights from our energy team
Explore services for transmission projects
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Environmental Impact Assessment
Technical studies and assessment documentation to help you understand impact and secure environmental approvals.
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Planning and approvals
Development strategy, planning and approval solutions for buildings, infrastructure, transport and city projects and investments.
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Environmental permitting and compliance
Permitting services and advice to help you navigate environmental regulation and licensing requirements and develop sustainably.
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Communications and engagement
Services and advice to help you make meaningful connections with your stakeholders including community engagement, social research project branding and more.
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Project and program management
Project management solutions for the most complex building, infrastructure, organisational change, and systems projects.
