Start the week with the latest in the geoengineering world. Here’s the GeoWire conversation for the week of June 8. WORK SMARTER.
BIG PROJECTS
Nevada might soon host the largest solar power project in U.S. history. A 690-MW solar electric generating facility has been greenlighted on 7,000 acres outside of Las Vegas.
Argentina, Chile, and Boliva‘s “Lithium Triangle” has been hit hard by COVID. Many of the massive mining sites are slowing or halting production, while backing for new development is thinning.
The massive tunnel and high-speed rail project between London and Birmingham has plenty of controversy. But, we have to say, it also has some impressive tunnel boring machines.
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT
Wind energy costs roughly half of coal in Poland, but regulation against wind farms makes their construction almost impossible on more than 95% of Polish land. Very insightful write up from Agata Skrzypczyk.
The week opened with World Oceans Day. We’re looking at restoring reefs with geosynthetics.
The Australian Antarctic Division published a beautiful sunset video on June 2–the last official sunset they’ll see at Davis Station for five week (!!).
TIP: Support the field! Use the hashtag #geosynthetics (along with a couple other hashtags) when promoting news and projects on LinkedIn.
FINANCE
Engineering failures can be incredibly expensive, writes Geosynthetica. BUT: They can also be immensely instructive.
Kate Raworth has a fascinating take on how infrastructure funding can create social equity and a green recovery by deriving inspiration from a doughnut.
A court ruling has put the Yukon government in a top slot to receive funding from settling accounts with the bankrupt Yukon Zinc Corp. Plenty of remediation measures are needed.
GEOSYNTHETICS
Geosynthetica asks: Was the Geosynthetics Risk Management Program proposed too soon?
Presto Geosystems is finding cases of “copycat” products in the marketplace with its ATRA Key components. This is not only a patent issue: it’s a safety issue.
Three cheers! TRI Africa is providing COVID response support to a Kamcare orphanage in South Africa.
Now that the virtual training on geosynthetics CQA has taken place, attention returns to the four core courses at November’s GeoU 2020 in Austin.
GOVERNMENT
Under “Finance,” we linked to Kate Raworth’s doughnut economics explanation. Here’s how the Netherlands is putting these ideas into practice.
Russia finally declared a state of emergency, following a massive oil spill in the Arctic.
#BigData: New Zealand is developing a National Digital Infrastructure Model (NDIM) to help protect its aging and new infrastructure against natural hazards, climate change, changing use, and more. Here’s the PDF report.
JOBS
Comanco has multiple positions open ahead of its busiest season and out of multiple offices around the United States.
Layfield is adding a full-time Engineering Business Manager out of its Richmond, British Columbia office
WSP is hiring a Senior Manager – Geotechnical & Tunneling out of its Washington DC office.(It’s one of multiple positions WSP is looking to fill right now.)
TECHNOLOGY
Stay current with the latest webinar opportunities with Geosynthetica’s industry tracker.
REMINDER: Share the Imagine 2120 transportation challenge from Tensar International (Americas) with school age children! What will transportation look like in 100 years?
Please support the Engineering Research & Education Foundation (EREF) virtual silent auction this month! EREF supports amazing work and provides high level education in waste management, recylcing, coal ash, and more.
This is the June 8, 2020 GeoWire from Geosynthetica. GeoWire is published on Mondays with thought-leading links to help infrastructure professionals work smarter. News and ideas to share? Contact us.
Previous GeoWire Editions
June 1, 2020
