Hospitals are an integral part of Queensland’s critical infrastructure, and maintaining a reliable power supply is essential for their operation. With the increasing demands of healthcare, ensuring that hospitals remain operational during power disruptions such as blackouts, brownouts, and even during planned maintenance is a growing challenge. As part of the IHEA QLD Professional Development Event, we invite you to join us for a comprehensive afternoon focused on the resilience, efficiency, and future-proofing of hospital electrical networks.
This unique session will dive deep into the critical aspects of hospital electrical systems, discussing the challenges, regulations, and advanced solutions necessary for maintaining reliable power. Hospitals must not only function effectively during peak times but also ensure that they are resilient to power disruptions. This event will provide you with valuable insights into how to design, manage, and maintain electrical systems that can withstand such challenges, guaranteeing patient safety and the smooth operation of medical facilities.
The discussion will focus on the pressing needs of hospital power infrastructure and delve into real-world solutions that can be implemented to improve performance, reduce downtime, and minimize service interruptions. From the latest regulations to innovative technologies, this event will provide you with the knowledge necessary to adapt and evolve in this ever-changing field.
What Will You Learn?
Challenges of Hospital Electrical Networks: Explore the unique demands of powering critical healthcare facilities.
Testing and Compliance Requirements: Learn about the rigorous testing and regulatory standards hospitals must meet for electrical systems.
Solutions to Power Challenges: Investigate the latest solutions and the challenges involved in their implementation in hospitals.
Is There a "Silver Bullet"? Examine the complexity of designing power systems that balance reliability, safety, and cost-effectiveness.
By attending this event, you will walk away with a clear understanding of how to develop and implement the most reliable electrical systems for healthcare facilities.
Date: March 13, 2025
Time: 1:00 PM – 5:00 PM AEST
Location: Pineapple Hotel, 706 Main St, Kangaroo Point QLD 4169, Australia
Speaker Line-Up
Jeff Davies
"Keeping the Lights On: New Switchboard Regulations and Hospital Power Systems"
Jeff Davies, an influential figure in electrical standards, will lead the first session. As a member of the standards committee for electrical regulations, Jeff will provide an in-depth look at the latest AS61439 regulations that all electrical switchboards must conform to. This is an essential update for anyone involved in the design, implementation, or maintenance of electrical systems in critical infrastructure.
Jeff's presentation will cover:
Understanding AS61439 Regulations: The new rules that every electrical switchboard must meet to ensure safety, functionality, and compliance.
The Role of Switchboards in Critical Infrastructure: Why hospital switchboards play a key role in ensuring unbroken service, especially during emergencies.
Best Practices for Switchboard and Distribution Board Design: Explore case studies and real-life examples of how hospitals can reduce downtime and minimize disruptions to their services through well-thought-out design and construction.
Strategies to Improve Resilience: Insights into how hospitals can mitigate the effects of power outages and reduce reliance on backup systems by improving the design and construction of their electrical infrastructure.
Hospitals require an intricate and robust electrical network that must work efficiently during every moment of operation. Jeff will demonstrate how regulatory standards and smart design can ensure that these systems remain reliable, even in the face of power failure.
Conrad van Rooyen
Founder and Chief Innovation Officer, Hexeis Energy Pty Ltd
Conrad van Rooyen is an expert in energy efficiency with more than 30 years of experience across multiple industries, including healthcare. As the co-founder of Hexeis Energy, Conrad has worked on innovative solutions that optimize energy systems to drive efficiencies and reduce operational costs. His session will focus on a groundbreaking main switchboard architecture design that eliminates the risks posed by a single point of failure, making it an ideal solution for hospitals and other critical facilities.
Conrad's presentation will explore the following benefits:
Cost Savings: How this design offers a more cost-effective alternative to traditional radial power distribution systems, making it a perfect solution for budget-conscious hospitals.
Enhanced Workplace Health & Safety: This design ensures that each Main Switchboard (MSB) and General Switchboard (GSB) can be fully isolated, allowing for safer and more cost-effective maintenance.
No Project Delays: Learn how to avoid the typical delays caused by connection agreements with AEMO (Australian Energy Market Operator) or Energy Queensland (EQ), streamlining the process for faster implementation.
Simplified Design: The out-of-the-box design minimizes costs while ensuring maximum reliability, efficiency, and operability of the electrical system.
No Need for Reactors: Eliminate project delays and capital costs associated with reactors, making the system easier to manage.
Reduced Risk of Supply Loss: Minimize the risks associated with power outages by shifting the focus to the failure of one ATS (Automatic Transfer Switch) rather than an entire MSB and GSB.
Efficient Load Shedding: Learn how to manage load shedding processes efficiently, should they be necessary, without affecting hospital operations.
Fast Paralleling of EDGs (Emergency Diesel Generators): Discover how emergency power systems can start quickly, ensuring minimal downtime during blackouts or maintenance periods.
Lowest Whole-of-Life Cost: This design supports long-term asset management and maintenance, reducing overall operational costs and improving the lifespan of hospital electrical systems.
Conrad will showcase the long-term benefits of this design, which has been proven effective over five years of continuous reliable service in critical facilities. Hospitals that have adopted this approach have seen significant operational improvements, enhanced safety, and cost savings.
Charles Webster
Managing Director CR Webster & Associate Pty Ltd
With over 35 years of experience in electrical engineering and asset management, Charles Webster is a recognized authority in the fields of power generation, healthcare, mining, oil and gas, and heavy industry. Throughout his career, he has led the design and implementation of robust power distribution systems and electrical protection solutions for critical infrastructure, including generators, transformers, and high-voltage and low-voltage switchboards.
In addition to his engineering expertise, Charles has made significant contributions to asset management, spearheading the roll-out of asset management systems for major thermal power projects and enhancing operational efficiency at large-scale power generation utilities. He is also a seasoned educator, with years of experience lecturing at the master's level and developing specialized courses in electrical engineering and asset management for the heavy industry sector.
Charles has been instrumental in the design and delivery of advanced asset management courses, utilizing PAS 55 Asset Management principles. One of his notable achievements includes leading the ISO 55000/1/2 assessment of asset management capabilities for Queensland Health's hospital facilities, providing actionable insights that helped improve both reliability and sustainability.
As a speaker, Charles shares valuable insights into the intersection of engineering, asset management, and operational excellence, providing practical solutions and strategies for managing complex systems and ensuring long-term asset reliability.
Why You Should Attend
Comprehensive Learning: This event offers an in-depth understanding of the complexities involved in designing and maintaining electrical systems in hospitals. From compliance to cost-effective solutions, you will learn everything you need to optimize your facility's power system.
Gain Industry Insights: Learn directly from experts who have decades of experience in the energy and healthcare sectors.
Actionable Takeaways: Leave with practical strategies and tools that can be applied immediately to improve the resilience of hospital electrical networks and minimize the risk of service interruptions.
Networking Opportunities: Connect with fellow professionals in the critical infrastructure and healthcare sectors, exchange ideas, and explore potential collaborations.
By attending the IHEA QLD Professional Development Event, you will gain valuable knowledge on how to create and maintain an electrical system that ensures power continuity, safety, and efficiency for hospitals in Queensland.
Don’t miss out on this opportunity to enhance your professional development. Spaces are limited, so register early to secure your spot. Be part of this essential event where you can learn from industry leaders and network with peers.
We look forward to seeing you at the IHEA QLD Professional Development Event in Brisbane on March 13th. Together, we can ensure Queensland’s hospitals stay powered, resilient, and ready for any challenge.
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