More than a decade has past since the Global Financial Crisis, but for Dave Connell, sometimes it can feel like yesterday. Mention the GFC, and there’s an immediate shaking of the head. But it comes with a long, relieved sigh. Dave was one of the lucky ones who made it through.

Fast forward 10 years and Connell’s business has reached new heights – higher still if you count the views of Lake Karapiro and the greater Waikato from the cockpit of Connell’s helicopter. He takes to the skies with a smile on his face; everything’s turned out ok. But that doesn’t mean it’s been easy, nor are the hard yards over.

Hendrix “spacer cable” is unique in the world of overhead covered cable in that the messenger wire the cables suspends from will hold up with a branch or downed medium sized tree across it.

Spacer cable systems provides the highest form of reliability on Distribution networks. The compact configuration and the placement on one side of the pole reduces the exposure to trees. When trees or branches do come down (as shown below) the messenger wire will support the cables – ensuring uninterrupted service; until crews can get to them.

Connexis helps open career doors nationwide for young women

Hundreds of young women throughout the country have experienced a taste of working in the infrastructure industry in a programme designed to showcase different career options.

The infrastructure industry keeps New Zealand running – through water, power and roading - and is a booming sector that is forecast to require around 44,000 more people over the next five years. New recruits are vital to keep the industry operating and women are significantly underrepresented, only accounting for about 6 per cent of new trainees.

In the 1960s when the first crosslinked polyethylene (XLPE) insulated medium voltage (MV) cables were installed, industry expected them to perform reliably for 20-30 years.

History shows that the service life of some of these early cables failed after only 10-15 years due to defects from voltage stress, moisture and other imperfections within the cable structure. It has been estimated that for every dollar that utilities spent installing cable, they had to spend at least 10 dollars to replace it, with some still dealing with this today.

Broadspectrum New Zealand has been part of the power industry for more than 60 years and is one of the country’s largest electrical and communication services contractors.

Broadspectrum provides end-to-end solutions to the power industry in transmission, distribution and generation through our extensive capability and innovative approach.

The Broadspectrum Oil Laboratory has been servicing New Zealand’s high voltage and distribution electrical industry since 1987, specialising in the testing and analysis of insulating oils associated with high voltage electrical equipment.

Wellington 4 May 2019: Infrastructure forms the backbone of New Zealand’s day to day livelihood and is a booming sector that is predicted to require around 44,000 more people over the next 5 years.

Connexis – the Industry Training Organisation (ITO) for Infrastructure – is addressing the recruitment challenge throughout May and June targeting young women with its annual Girls with Hi-Vis® (GWHV) campaign.

Connexis Chief Executive Toby Beaglehole says, “Rewarding trade and technical careers for women are there for the taking within the infrastructure sector. The challenge is our young people don’t always know about them, which is what Girls with Hi-Vis® is all about.”

Innovative Aerial Cable System used to solve multiple Problems. Aerial Cable Systems (aka Hendrix Spacer) have been built since 1951 and since 1960s have reached mature material specification. Spacer cable solves many issues associated in building an operating an overhead power system.

The spacer system addresses issues of line disturbance by

In addition to solving these issues it also achieves much higher rating, 10-20% lower impedance, removal of Ferroresonance, compact design and multiple circuits of different voltages on same pole line. Spacer also enables safer use of live line techniques and virtually interruption free system performance.

The introduction of commercial drones to the market has given many industries the potential to revolutionise the way they conduct business.

Inspecting power lines and transmission towers has always been a high-risk job, particularly as many inspections require helicopters to fly very low in order to get accurate visuals. From a health and safety perspective not only is this dangerous, but it also disrupts the local environment.

Since 2016, Broadspectrum has been testing new technologies, such as Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV), or drones, fitted with high resolution cameras to inspect the towers and transmission lines throughout Auckland. Since then this service has carried out over 600 kilometres of successful missions.

The electrical grid is undergoing a rapid transition from centralised power generation to smaller distributed power generators, closer to the consumer — to include renewable energy like solar and wind. In addition, utilities are being demanded to increase overall efficiency and reduce peaks in energy demand. While these issues might seem small, the current grid is built and reliant on old technology and infrastructure. Historically, antiquated electromechanical devices — including capacitor banks, line voltage regulators and load tap changers — have provided voltage and VAR control as the only option to electric utility operators. But with dramatic changes impacting the electric grid today, including PV solar, energy efficiency and peak demand reduction, a new class of voltage and VAR regulation is needed.

In the 1960s when the first crosslinked polyethylene (XLPE) insulated medium voltage (MV) cables were installed, industry expected them to perform reliably for 20-30 years.

History shows that the service life of some of these early cables failed after only 10-15 years due to defects from voltage stress, moisture and other imperfections within the cable structure. It has been estimated that for every dollar that utilities spent installing cable, they had to spend at least 10 dollars to replace it, with some still dealing with this today.

Understanding what’s important to clients and their industry specific needs is of the upmost priority to General Metal Recyclers. In response GMR has employed Carl Whittington as the organisation's new Key Client Liaison Manager to project-manage the safe removal of redundant power assets for the sector.

Whittington says: "I have spent most of my working career (30 years) working on and around servicing and maintaining high voltage equipment.

“Having a passion for undertaking projects that are deemed in the 'too hard basket' and turning them into a successful outcome for the client is what gives me job satisfaction.

Opportunities in the energy sector are there for the taking for women. Companies are looking to hire more women each day due to the diversity, unique perspective and skills they bring to the workplace.

Connexis, the Infrastructure Industry Training Organisation, says they have seen a positive shift in their trainee numbers since 2015 when they first introduced the Girls with Hi-Vis® initiative under their Ultimit – Women in Infrastructure programme. The initiative was developed to address the recruitment challenge within the sector.