The Adelaide Desalination Project: A Case Study in the Development and Delivery of Complex Infrastructure Against a Backdrop of Climate Change – Building Security, Resilience, Sustainability and Innovation into Metropolitan Adelaide’s Water Supply System
Start Date
3-10-2013 2:35 PM
End Date
3-10-2013 3:00 PM
Description
Abstract: Inherently highly system interdependent, Adelaide’s water supply was also climate dependent, relying on the Mount Lofty natural catchments & River Murray as its sources. With climate change manifesting itself through severe drought & rainfall reaching historic lows, the State Government recognised the need to diversify & secure Adelaide’s water supplies. It responded by committing to build a desalination plant, nominating SA Water as the lead agency to deliver the project. Focusing on complex infrastructure delivery systems, the paper addresses: how effective & appropriate governance & control mechanisms were established during development to overcome long lead time approvals, project acceleration & complexity; how the need for a desalination plant & project delivery was balanced with often competing needs of the community & the environment; how the desalination plant integrates process optimisation, R&D & sustainability, & achieves benchmark performance in energy efficiency.
Citation:
Kumar, M. & Raju, C. (2014). The Adelaide Desalination Project: A Case Study in the Development and Delivery of Complex Infrastructure Against a Backdrop of Climate Change – Building Security, Resilience, Sustainability and Innovation into Metropolitan Adelaide’s Water Supply System. In: Campbell P. and Perez P. (Eds), Proceedings of the International Symposium of Next Generation Infrastructure, 1-4 October 2013, SMART Infrastructure Facility, University of Wollongong, Australia.
The Adelaide Desalination Project: A Case Study in the Development and Delivery of Complex Infrastructure Against a Backdrop of Climate Change – Building Security, Resilience, Sustainability and Innovation into Metropolitan Adelaide’s Water Supply System
Abstract: Inherently highly system interdependent, Adelaide’s water supply was also climate dependent, relying on the Mount Lofty natural catchments & River Murray as its sources. With climate change manifesting itself through severe drought & rainfall reaching historic lows, the State Government recognised the need to diversify & secure Adelaide’s water supplies. It responded by committing to build a desalination plant, nominating SA Water as the lead agency to deliver the project. Focusing on complex infrastructure delivery systems, the paper addresses: how effective & appropriate governance & control mechanisms were established during development to overcome long lead time approvals, project acceleration & complexity; how the need for a desalination plant & project delivery was balanced with often competing needs of the community & the environment; how the desalination plant integrates process optimisation, R&D & sustainability, & achieves benchmark performance in energy efficiency.
Citation:
Kumar, M. & Raju, C. (2014). The Adelaide Desalination Project: A Case Study in the Development and Delivery of Complex Infrastructure Against a Backdrop of Climate Change – Building Security, Resilience, Sustainability and Innovation into Metropolitan Adelaide’s Water Supply System. In: Campbell P. and Perez P. (Eds), Proceedings of the International Symposium of Next Generation Infrastructure, 1-4 October 2013, SMART Infrastructure Facility, University of Wollongong, Australia.