Two South African infrastructure projects have been recognised for innovation in their respective sectors, having been shortlisted as finalists in the 2013 Be Inspired Awards competition, organised by global infrastructure software developer Bentley Systems.

State-owned power utility Eskom has been shortlisted as a finalist in the Innovation in Power Generation category for the virtual three-dimensional plant simulator installed for operations and maintenance purposes at the Kusile power station, in Ekurhuleni, South Africa.

In addition, engineering information technology company Graphic Engineering Solutions and Services, and professional spatial and engineering solutions and service provider African Consulting Surveyors have been nominated for their contribution to the Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa depot modernisation.

Bentley Systems, which provides software solutions for sustainable infrastructure, announced the project finalists earlier this month. The awards honour the extraordinary work of Bentley users aiming to improve and sustain the world’s infrastructure.

Six independent panels of jurors, comprising accomplished Bentley users and distinguished industry experts, selected 65 finalists across 22 categories from nominations submitted by organisations in 43 countries.

The winners will be announced at the yearly Year in Infrastructure Conference, taking place at the Hilton London Metropole, in London, from October 29 to 31. This global gathering, to which leading executives in the world of infrastructure design, construction and operations are invited, features a series of presentations and interactive sessions exploring the intersection of technology and business drivers and how they are shaping the future of infrastructure delivery and investment returns.

The conference is tailored to the information needs of management-level executives in architectural and engineering firms, construction companies, owner-operator organisations and government organisations responsible for the design, delivery or operations of infrastructure.

It aims to provide a forum for executives to share best practice in infrastructure design, delivery and operations with peer organisations and to enable executives to network with more than 100 members of the international media and global industry thought leaders.

Further, the conference will explore new technologies, how they are changing and how information moves throughout the infrastructure life cycle.

Conference delegates will gain insight from presentations delivered by many of the world’s top thought leaders to help them understand, prepare for and take advantage of the key trends transforming the design, delivery and operations of the world’s infrastructure.

“We set the bar extremely high for the Year in Infrastructure Conference 2013, from its provocative agenda bringing valuable insight on crucial issues facing infrastructure executives worldwide to the pre-eminent thought leaders who will deliver the keynote addresses and submit presentations,” says Bentley COO Malcolm Walter.

Guest keynote speakers include chairperson of the Olympic Delivery Authority for London 2012 Sir John Armitt, who is also chairperson of intercity coach operator National Express; London-based high-frequency railway Crossrail CEO Andrew Wolstenholme; UK government chief construction adviser Peter Hansford and multinational engineering and electronics conglomerate Siemens corporate VP Pedro Miranda, who is also head of the Siemens Global Centre of Competence Cities.

Walter further notes that, while the Be Inspired Awards nominations were not selected by Bentley Systems’ control, the company’s users, once again, came through with their nominations for “remarkable projects that tested the adjudicative prowess” of the jury members.

“I congratulate all the finalists and look forward to their inspiring presentations in the last leg of the competition at the conference in London,” he says.