Snowy 2.0

Damon Miller, Ben Chapman and Francisco Cortes

The Snowy 2.0 project involves the delivery of a 2000 megawatt pumped storage scheme in southern NSW, which will expand the capacity of the existing 4100 megawatt Snowy Mountains Hydroelectric Scheme. The Snowy 2.0 project plans to link the existing Tantangara and Talbingo reservoirs via approximately 28 km of waterway tunnels, 2 km of shafts and 16 km of access tunnels. The project will harness the 700 m head difference between the reservoirs within an underground power station housing six 340 megawatt pump-turbines.

The technical presentation is co-hosted by the Australian Geomechanics Society (AGS) and the Australian Tunnelling Society (ATS) and will provide an overview of the project and the key engineering challenges faced by the project team during the development from the 2017 feasibility study to contract signing and exploratory works starting in 2019. The presentation will include detail on the extensive underground development in complex alpine geological and hydrogeological conditions, a remote and environmentally sensitive setting and stringent operational requirements.

About the speakers

Damon Miller Technical Manager - Snowy 2.0, Snowy Hydro, SMEC

Damon was the Civil Design Lead for the reference design and tendering stages of the project, as well as Design Manager for the feasibility study. Damon has 10 years’ experience in hydropower and dams engineering, and has been involved in management, design and construction supervision for large civil infrastructure projects, particularly dams, hydropower and tailings.

Ben Chapman Associate Engineer Tunnels - Snowy 2.0, Snowy Hydro, SMEC

Ben is a Civil Engineer with nine years’ experience , related to the design of structural and geotechnical components of tunnels and underground structures using empirical, analytical and numerical methods. Ben has also provided on-site construction phase design support and supervision services for large scale tunnel, rail and road projects.

Francisco Cortes Technical Principal, Tunnels, SMEC

Francisco is a Tunnel Engineer with 20 years’ experience in engineering consultancy. His areas of expertise include analysis and design of tunnel support systems in soil and rock, assessment of the effects of tunnels on adjacent structures and constructability aspects of tunnels. Francisco has been involved in senior roles for major infrastructure projects at different stages, including feasibility, concept and detailed design, construction supervision, and independent verification and certification.

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