Adam Germano joins Direct Automation’s System Integrator Program

Direct Automation welcomes the newest addition to our System Integrator program, Adam Germano. As the Control Systems Engineer at WestWater Enterprises, Adam brings a wealth of experience and expertise to our team of system integrators. With over a decade of hands-on involvement in the field, he has demonstrated exceptional proficiency in utilising our PLC and HMI range, including CLICK, Productivity and DirectLogic PLCs, alongside our C-more Graphical Panels.

Meet Adam Germano

Adam's journey in industrial automation began 15 years ago when he graduated with Bachelor of Engineering (BEng) at Murdoch University (WA) with a double major in Instrumentation & Control Engineering and Industrial Computer Systems Engineering. His academic pursuits were akin to Process Engineering and Electronics Engineering, respectively, and equipped him with a strong theoretical grounding.

Early in his career, Adam served as a subcontractor for Water Corporation (WA), where he immersed himself in the intricacies of control systems within the water industry. He later moved over to WestWater Enterprises, eventually transitioning into a permanent role as a Control Systems Engineer.

FIGURE 1: USE OF DIRECT AUTOMATION PRODUCTS SUCH AS C-MORE HMI SCREENS, CLICK PLCs AND MORE IN WATER DEVICES SUCH AS THE 'CHLORSHIELD ESD' (EMERGENCY SHUTDOWN DEVICE) FOR THE SAFE HANDLING AND SHUTDOWN OF CHLORINE GAS. 

Adam boasts nearly 13 years of hands-on experience, working extensively with Direct Automation's PLC and HMI range. He is well-versed in utilizing the DirectLogic, Koyo CLICK and Productivity Platforms, alongside C-more HMI screens. Throughout his career, Adam has specialized in water industry applications, encompassing a wide spectrum of projects:

•          Water Treatment Plants Bore & Pump Control, Filtration, UV Sterilisation, and Chemical Dosing applications.

•          Wastewater Treatment Plants: Projects involving Inlet Screen Control and Chemical Dosing.

•          Water & Wastewater: Pumping Stations and Storage sites, for example tank sites.

He has dedicated the last 8 years of his career as a Control Systems Engineer at WestWater Enterprises, contributing to all facets of project management and support for products and systems.  

Adam Germano: Understanding the End-User

For Adam Germano, the heart of his professional philosophy lies in meeting the needs of end-users. He firmly believes that the most important aspect of project delivery is ensuring a collaborative approach, working closely with clients to understand their unique challenges, goals and viewpoints. His approach emphasises creating user interfaces that are intuitive, predictable, and safe to use while immediately drawing the user's attention to critical information. 

In his own words,

"I believe there are two types of engineers in this world. Those that believe they understand the requirements of the end user, and those that actually do. I fall over myself to be the latter."

Adam recognizes that delivering bespoke water treatment packages requires a deep integration of operator experiences and preferences. It transcends mere PLC programming and training sessions. The aesthetics and functionality of HMI designs and SCADA interfaces must be intuitive, consistent, and align with previous or existing systems. It is in these pivotal details that lend themselves to an operator’s ability to think clearly and act quickly, particularly during critical scenarios like overflows or fault conditions.

WestWater Enterprises:  Treated Right from the Start

WestWater Enterprises, based in Western Australia and Queensland, specialize in potable water and wastewater treatment solutions. Their commitment to tailored approaches for municipal and industrial processes is evident in their compliance with Australian Drinking Water Guidelines (ADWG) and their adherence to regulations and procedures for approved treatment methods and the safe handling of associated chemicals and equipment.

One distinctive aspect of WestWater's operations is their dedication to delivering complete system builds. This encompasses not only mechanical components but also electrical and instrumentation, enabling them to provide end-to-end services, from design and construction to factory testing, compliance, site installation, and commissioning.

FIGURE 2: EXAMPLE OF WATER TREATMENT PLANT UPGRADE. IMAGE COURTESY OF WESTWATER ENTERPRISES 

As an example project, Westwater executed a design and construct water treatment plant upgrade in Port Kalbarri, WA which included:

•          Multimedia filtration for iron and manganese removal.

•          Change existing chlorine gas system over to an Electro-chlorination system for more accurate dosing and to achieve dosing pre-filter for oxidation and post-filter for disinfection.

•          Clearwater tank and transfer pump station

•          Upgraded bore sites to accommodate new reduced pressure requirements.

The project was a full design and construct project with some challenging hydraulic and water quality demands to be accomplished. WestWater took the project from concept design stage all the way through to engineering/detailed design, construction and final commissioning onsite. With the works including full functional control upgrade of the site via various control platforms and integration into the Water Corporation state wide SCADA network.

Direct Automation System Integrator Program

Our SI Direct program provides expert system integration service to Direct Automation customers, with particular emphasis on our Programmable Controller, HMI and Motion Products.

Adam Germano's inclusion in Direct Automation's System Integrator program enriches our team with his wealth of experience and unwavering commitment to user-centric solutions. His exceptional skills and dedication align with our mission to provide top-tier services to our valued customers.

Want to learn more about our products and services? Get in touch

Phone: 1800 633 040 Email: sales@directautomation.com.au Website: www.directautomation.com.au   Reach out to Adam at WestWater Enterprises Phone: 08 9248 2411 Email: agermano@westwater.com.au Website: www.westwater.com.au

October 2023. Images and article contributions courtesy of Adam Germano and Westwater Enterprises.

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