Ausgrid has revealed that 74 incidents of copper theft have been recorded across its network since August 2023, resulting in almost half a million dollars in damage, disruptions to thousands of customers, and severe safety risks. The latest analysis by Ausgrid has shown criminals are increasingly moving away from breaking into depots, to now cutting down power poles with chainsaws […]
Powerlines
Powerline resilience package planned for south-east Melbourne
Kody Cook Disaster Management, Electricity, News, Powerlines, Projects, Spotlight 0United Energy is planning and testing a new package of resilience works that will see powerlines in areas of south-east Melbourne that are prone to high fire risk be moved underground. The activities being considered by United Energy for Melbourne’s south-east and the Mornington Peninsula are aimed at making its network stronger and more resilient in the face of more […]
Horizon Power invites feedback on proposed transmission line
Kody Cook Electricity, News, Powerlines, Projects, Spotlight, Stakeholder Engagement 0Horizon Power has called feedback on its proposal to expand the North-West Interconnected Systems (NWIS) with a 7km long 132kV overhead transmission line between the Dampier Substation and the Burrup Strategic Industrial Area (SIA). The Burrup SIA is not currently connected via transmission infrastructure to the NWIS. The project is located on Murujuga (Burrup Peninsula) in Western Australia, approximately 1.5km […]
Pole top fires cause power outages for 47,000 Perth customers
Kody Cook Company news, Electricity, Maintenance, News, Powerlines, Spotlight 0Parts of the Western Power energy network have suffered serious damage after approximately 70 pole top fires broke out in the Perth metropolitan area, affecting the power supply to around 13,000 homes and businesses. Western Power Executive Manager of Asset Operations, Zane Christmas, said that crews were set to work as quickly and safely as possible to address a significant […]
AusNet restores power after major storm damage
Kody Cook Company news, Disaster Management, Electricity, Events, News, Powerlines, Spotlight 0The severe power outages that affected hundreds of thousands of Victorians after the 13 February storms have been resolved, with AusNet announcing that power has been restored to all affected customers. Since the storms, AusNet crews have worked day and night to restore the network to more than 360,000 AusNet customers who were left without power as a result of […]
Next stage of Project EnergyConnect progresses in NSW
Steph Barker Electricity, News, Powerlines, Projects, Spotlight 0Transgrid has confirmed that construction works are progressing on the eastern alignment of EnergyConnect. EnergyConnect is designed to enable the sharing of electricity between New South Wales, South Australia and Victoria for the first time, integrate cheaper and cleaner renewable energy into the grid, and help Australia achieve its emissions reduction targets. Transgrid and its construction partner, SecureEnergy, are building […]
WA transmission line rebuilt following storm damage
Steph Barker Electricity, News, Powerlines, Spotlight 0Western Power has successfully rebuilt and re-energised a 220kV transmission feeder line in the Kalgoorlie-Boulder area that was damaged during a storm. Western Power said the fast-track rebuild was completed in nine days. An extreme storm destroyed five towers on 17 January 2024, affecting power supply to the Kalgoorlie-Boulder area and surrounds. Power was supplied through a combination of Western […]
Western Power network repairs underway
Sarah MacNamara Disaster Management, Electricity, News, Powerlines, Spotlight 0Severe weather in Western Australia has led to substantial network damage and outages across the state, with Western Power advising residents to expect delays in repairs. A thunderstorm in Western Australia on Tuesday 16 January 2024 has caused extensive damage to Western Power’s network, and crews are working to respond to hundreds of hazards and assess and repair damage across […]
Downer delivers South Australian Project EnergyConnect in partnership with ElectraNet
Steph Barker Electricity, Powerlines, Projects 0Downer is proud to have delivered another landmark infrastructure project on behalf of its client ElectraNet, with the South Australian component of Project EnergyConnect now complete. Downer was awarded a $212 million contract in 2021 to construct the 206km high voltage transmission line connection between the New South Wales and South Australian power grid as part of Project EnergyConnect. Downer’s […]
Transgrid releases route report for new transmission line
Steph Barker Electricity, News, Powerlines, Spotlight 0Transgrid is encouraging members of the community to provide feedback on its Preferred Route Report for the proposed Mount Piper to Wallerawang Transmission Line Upgrade Project, now released for public consultation. Transgrid said the new transmission line is critical to delivering cleaner, cheaper and more reliable electricity from New South Wales’s first Renewable Energy Zone in the state’s central west. […]
EnergyConnect finishes construction in SA
Kody Cook Electricity, News, Powerlines, Projects, Spotlight 0Construction has been completed on the South Australian section of the new high-voltage transmission line, Project EnergyConnect, which is set to run between South Australia and New South Wales. Project EnergyConnect is the largest transmission project ever delivered by ElectraNet. The transmission line covers 206km from Robertstown to the state border between South Australia and New South Wales, and includes […]
Getting engagement right: Powercor major projects building trust
Utility Journalist Civil Construction, Electricity, Features, Powerlines, Projects, Renewable Energy 0By Neve Surridge, Corporate & Customer Graduate – Reputation and Media | Corporate Affairs, Powercor Australia For any major project, getting community engagement right is essential to a smooth delivery. Here we take a look at two major power upgrades in regional Victoria this year, and how they have shown how proactive engagement with households and businesses can help teams […]
Energy company fined after failing safety protocols
Yasmin Isaacs Company news, Condition Assessment, Disaster Management, News, Powerlines, Spotlight 0United Energy has been ordered to pay $93,200 in fines and court costs after it was convicted of failing to properly maintain vegetation clearance around powerlines in south-east Melbourne and the Mornington Peninsula. Energy Safe Victoria, the safety regulator for the state, brought 24 charges to the hearing, following inspections by compliance officers during 2021 and 2022. Energy Safe Victoria […]
AEMO calls for 10,000 more km of power lines
Kody Cook Electricity, News, Powerlines, Renewable Energy, Spotlight 0Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO) CEO, Daniel Westerman, has outlined the challenges Australia faces in its energy transition, and warned that the country will need an additional 10,000km of transmission lines to support growing renewables generation. Mr Westerman, speaking at the Australian Financial Review Energy and Climate Summit, outlined the three critical challenges the industry will need to overcome as […]
$5M WA network upgrade to begin final works
Kody Cook Electricity, Embedded networks, News, Powerlines, Spotlight 0Western power’s $5 million network upgrade for the Cunderdin Shire has reached the final stage of works, which are scheduled to be complete in February 2024. The work package, which started in January, involves the replacement of more than 293 poles and 47km of overhead power lines. Western Power Executive Manager of Asset Operations, Zane Christmas, said that in addition […]
Scarborough underground power network upgrade completed
Kody Cook Electricity, News, Powerlines, Projects, Safety and Training, Spotlight 0The City of Stirling has announced the completion of a $20 million project expanding Perth’s underground power network, improving streetscapes and increasing reliability for residents and businesses. Part of Western Power’s underground power program is the Network Renewal Undergrounding Program (NRUPP); the project removed 493 poles and 23km of overhead cable and installed 354 new streetlights and 53km of underground […]
SunCable under new ownership
Kody Cook Company news, Electricity, News, Powerlines, Projects, Renewable Energy, Spotlight 0SunCable has announced its acquisition by a private investment company, which is set to support it in the delivery of the Australia-Asia Power Link (AAPowerLink), which is expected to provide low-cost green energy to customers in Darwin and Singapore. SunCable has completed the sale of its assets, including the shares in its operating subsidiaries, to Grok Ventures (Grok). Grok has […]
NSW Gov releases strategy for renewable energy transition
Yasmin Isaacs Electricity, News, Powerlines, Projects, Renewable Energy, Spotlight 0In response to the Electricity Supply and Reliability Check Up, the New South Wales Government has released its strategy to keep the Electricity Infrastructure Roadmap on track. The Electricity Supply and Reliability Check Up was conducted by Cameron O’Reilly from Marsden Jacob Associates, and makes 54 recommendations to keep the Electricity Infrastructure Roadmap on track. The government has accepted 50 […]
Solving problems underground for the Molonglo Valley project
Utility Journalist Electricity, Powerlines, Projects, Sponsored Editorial 0In Australia’s capital, key transmission work has been underway, where new housing subdivisions in the Molonglo Valley have required the relocation of 1,500 tonnes or 58km of 132kV cables underground and the removal of above ground transmission towers. Works such as these have many moving parts, requiring clear, upfront communication and a unified plan with all contractors to ensure works […]
Major WA underground power project complete
Kody Cook Civil Construction, Electricity, News, Powerlines, Projects, Spotlight 0Western Power has completed a major underground power project, removing 821 poles and 34km of overhead cable, and installing 542 new streetlights and around 53km of underground cable throughout St James, East Victoria Park and Bentley. Residents and businesses in the areas will now enjoy improved safety and reliability and transformed streetscapes. Western Power worked with the City of Canning […]
Marinus Link revenue proposal released for public comment
Kody Cook Company news, Electricity, News, Powerlines, Projects, Spotlight 0Marinus Link has submitted the first revenue proposal for its proposed transmission project to the Australian Energy Regulator (AER), which outlines how Marinus Link will ensure recovery of costs for early works and has been released to the public for feedback. The revenue proposal is a requirement under the National Electricity Rules. Marinus Link CEO, Caroline Wykamp, said that the […]
CopperString 2032 allocated $1B funding
Kody Cook Batteries & Storage, Civil Construction, Electricity, News, Powerlines, Projects, Spotlight 0Powerlink’s CopperString 2032 project is set to receive $1 billion in funding from the Queensland Government, with $594 million allocated to start construction over the 2023-24 financial year. The announcement was made at the official opening of Vecco Group’s $26 million Townsville Vanadium Battery Manufacturing Facility, which also received support through the Queensland Jobs Fund. A $20 million early works […]
Vegetation management that’s ahead of the pack
Utility Journalist Asset management, Electricity, Features, Maintenance, Powerlines, Projects, Sponsored Editorial 0Meeting strict and increasingly complex regulatory requirements is perhaps one of the greatest challenges faced by most modern utilities. The inherently high-risk nature of the sector means it is highly regulated across a number of facets, with vegetation management being an area requiring particular attention. Meeting the challenge of adhering to vegetation regulatory requirements is too complex a task to […]
The equipment making vegetation management sustainable
Utility Journalist Asset management, Disaster Management, Features, Powerlines, Projects, Safety and Training, Sponsored Editorial, Spotlight, Sustainability 0Asset management is a key responsibility of utilities across Australia, and arguably the most important and critical of these is vegetation and tree clearing around powerlines. Vermeer’s range of equipment offers sustainable vegetation management choices for utilities, and recycling options for project byproducts. These days, individuals and organisations are being urged to consider their choices and make decisions with sustainability […]
Augment vegetation management with satellite imagery
Utility Journalist Asset management, Digital Utilities, Features, Maintenance, Powerlines, Projects, Safety and Training, Sponsored Editorial 0From roads and railways to power lines and pipelines, encroaching vegetation can cause downtime, damage and catastrophes. Utility vegetation management remains a huge line item in most annual budgets, involving manual inspection of thousands of infrastructure miles. But it’s mainly reactive maintenance, leaving very little focus on prevention. Satellite technology provides a great opportunity to augment existing methods, offering more […]
New high-voltage transmission line powering SA’s Eyre Peninsula
Utility Journalist Electricity, Features, Powerlines, Projects 0Homes, businesses and communities across South Australia’s Eyre Peninsula now have a more secure power supply following the completion of Eyre Peninsula Link. Delivered by South Australia’s Transmission Network Service Provider (TNSP) ElectraNet, Eyre Peninsula Link is a new 270km double-circuit 132kV highvoltage transmission line from Cultana to Port Lincoln, via Yadnarie, constructed with 500 new transmission towers and upgrades […]
VIC Government offers transmission infrastructure grants
Tayla Oates Electricity, News, Powerlines, Projects 0Energy Networks Australia has welcomed the Victorian Government’s decision to offer strategic benefit payments to landowners who host significant transmission infrastructure, compensating landowners for hosting transmission infrastructure on their property while also contributing to the energy transition. Energy Networks Australia CEO, Andrew Dillon, said Australia is working towards a net zero energy grid but is impeded by a lack of […]
QLD Government to deliver $5B Copperstring project
Tayla Oates Electricity, News, Powerlines, Projects 0The Queensland Government has announced the delivery of the $5 billion CopperString 2.0 project, which will connect renewable wind and solar resources with critical minerals mining and processing in North Queensland. The Copperstring 2.0 is a 1,100km, high voltage transmission line proposal to connect the North West Minerals Province to the National Electricity Market and will unlock Australia’s largest renewable […]
Powercor inspects Victorian powerlines from the air
Tayla Oates Asset management, Maintenance, News, Powerlines, Safety and Training 0As part of electricity distributor Powercor’s year-round vegetation inspection and tree-cutting program, powerline inspections from the air are underway in the Bendigo region. The helicopters – operated by the network’s affiliate business, Beon Aerial Services – are fitted with advanced Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) technology to accurately identify the distances of trees to powerlines. This information is fed back […]
Balancing act: future-proofing Australia’s electricity network
Read the latest issue online
Sponsored Content
-
New flow meter detecting dangerous methane leaks March 4, 2024
Engineers monitoring natural gas compressors for dry seal leaks of toxic, combus...
-
Urban Utilities selects facilities management partner February 27, 2024
Queensland’s Urban Utilities has inked a new deal with the partner that will p...
-
Leading international supply chain risk management service launches in Australia February 22, 2024
Veriforce CHAS, the renowned UK-based provider of supply chain risk prevention, ...
-
Gaining insights into critical utility assets February 14, 2024
Non-destructive testing equipment refers to an array of inspection techniques th...
-
The power of single stage blowers February 13, 2024
Industrial air blowers are used in everything from food or mineral processing fa...