It’s a wrap! 2020 APGA Virtual Convention and Exhibition
The 2020 Annual Convention and Exhibition was held online this October, with GPA continuing to support the event as a host sponsor. GPA engineers took part in the program, presenting at various sessions and joining the virtual exhibition. GPA were also formally recognised as leaders in the Australian pipeline industry, with Senior Mechanical Engineer, Nick Kastelein winning the 2020 APGA Young Achievement Award and Hydrogen Park SA winning the 2020 Environment Award for GPA client, Australian Gas Infrastructure Group.
2020 APGA Young Achievement Award
Nick’s achievements were acknowledged by APGA, as follows:
Nick Kastelein has been involved in research via the industry CRCs for 12 years and is now the lead proponent of new projects in complex research areas such as the impact of hydrogen injection in high pressure transmission gas pipelines on fracture initiation phenomena. Since January, he has been the Chair of the Future Fuels CRC’s Metals Pipeline Assets Working Group and, in this role, he developed a research roadmap outlining the research questions, and approach to testing, experimental and theoretical study to progress knowledge of hydrogen embrittlement in transmission pipeline steels. This research is critical to the industry, and an essential activity to help determine a pathway that will determine how high-pressure pipelines remain relevant in a low carbon future and a safe and reliable asset for hydrogen storage and transmission.
An engineer with GPA Engineering, Nick has successfully contributed to a number of significant pipeline projects, including the recent Northern Gas Pipeline project, and is providing a key role on a number of hydrogen projects. He facilitates GPA’s Mechanical Engineering Technical Subject Owners Working Group, has written the company’s stress analysis work procedure and templates and is the author of the GPA Guardian software, a database for conducting pipeline safety management studies.
Nick is a member of the ME-038-01 Standards Committee that oversees the industry Standard, AS 2885, and was a key contributor to the development of the Fracture Control Code of Practice in Australia.
He has high-level presentation skills, and is a prolific writer, presenter and communicator.
2020 APGA Environment Award
GPA client, Australian Gas Infrastructure Group were the winner of the 2020 Environment Award for their Hydrogen Park SA (HyP SA) project. HyP SA was designed by GPA and will be Australia’s first integrated electricity-hydrogen-public gas network project, delivering a 5% renewable hydrogen blend to more than 700 homes in Mitchell Park, SA.
During the convention GPA engineers shared their knowledge in two presentations.
Hydrogen – The Standards Challenge
GPA Engineering Lead Mechanical Engineer, Josh Wickham was joined by Epic Energy Principal Pipeline Engineer, James Czornohalan to present Hydrogen – The Standards Challenge. The presentation discussed the importance of establishing Australian Hydrogen Standards so that Australia’s gas infrastructure could be converted to safely carry hydrogen. Josh highlighted, “We need new theory, new models for hydrogen service to really predict accurately fracture initiation, propagation, and fatigue in hydrogen blends and full hydrogen service”.
Industry Leaders’ Perspectives Panel
GPA Engineering Mechanical Engineer, Daniel Krosch was part of the Industry Leaders’ Perspectives Panel representing the Young Pipeliners Forum. Daniel highlighted the opportunities created by decarbonising gas distribution networks, “The push to decarbonise [gas] will create challenges, but also opportunities for the gas industry to evolve into the future….As a young engineer, I think there’s plenty of opportunity ahead for all types of projects. There’s a shortage of skills so it will be an opportunity for young engineers to step up and start leading some of these projects.”
The virtual exhibition allowed GPA to network from afar with industry members, building connections and discussing what is needed to shape the pipeline industry of tomorrow. GPA appreciate the work of APGA and are proud to play a major role within the Australian Pipeline Industry. We look forward to continue our support of the convention and exhibition in 2021.
