La Presse-Yvon Laprade
« We need to encourage partnerships with research institutions and universities so that we can better meet our clients’ needs in the design and execution of our projects », says André Rainville, CEO of the Association des firmes de génie‑conseil – Québec Project owners, he notes, now have increasingly specific requirements when it comes to sustainable development and environmental protection. This is why, he argues, it is essential to establish a collaborative approach that promotes data sharing and collective expertise. This is why, he argues, it is essential to establish a collaborative approach that promotes data sharing and collective expertise.
«For example, when it comes to accelerating climate change,” he explains, “we know that our infrastructure will be put to the test throughout its normal life cycle. We will need to anticipate changes based on scientific modelling.»
« In the past, design manuals were based on historical data showing relative stability over a period of 50 years. That is no longer the case today. We must account for climatic conditions and the consequences of rising water levels.»
— André Rainville, CEO of the Association des firmes de génie‑conseil , Québec
There is no doubt, the association’s president insists, that engineering firms, if they are not already doing so, will have to develop structures designed to last over time, while also being exportable.
«We are fortunate, in Québec, to have a strong and highly competent industry that operates in regions all around the world,” he notes. “We have expertise built on a vast client base that expects us to deliver projects of all kinds. And we have firms of all sizes, in all specialties.»
REMOTELY MONITORING INDUSTRIAL PLANTS
This is also the view of engineer Pierre Nader, 67, head of SPN Consultants on Nuns’ Island. The company he founded in 1982 is, he says, “often cited as a benchmark” for the quality of its work in the industrial sector.
« We are proud of what we have achieved so far », he says. « We are pioneers in Québec in the highly specialized field of raw data analysis for 60 plants across North America.»
He explains that his team’s work involves monitoring and detecting anomalies in production equipment.
« Plants send us enormous quantities of data. We analyze them and try to identify what might slow down or halt production on a machine. We intervene preventively. Our actions can translate into substantial savings for our clients.»
— Pierre Nader, President of SPN Consultants
TECHNOLOGICAL ADVANCES
One thing is certain, observes André Rainville: artificial intelligence and technological advancements will bring significant benefits to engineering consulting firms over the next decade.
« We can now access larger databases and information that can be updated in real time, whether for building automation or improving productivity in plants,” the association president explains.»
SOURCE: http://bit.ly/39ARm6e