The 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 […]
As 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 […]
24 charges have been laid against United Energy for allowing trees to grow too close to powerlines in high bushfire risk areas. Contact between trees and powerlines can result in fires, electric shock and power outages, which can lead to property damage and, in serious cases, injury and death. Major electricity companies are required to keep trees and vegetation at […]
The Kaban Green Power Hub Project is the keystone project of the Northern Queensland Renewable Energy Zone (QREZ), which is set to unlock 500MW of renewables capacity as the first of its kind in the state. Powerlink Chief Executive, Paul Simshauser, said using the drone to string the new 85m-tall transmission towers was a first for Powerlink and highlighted the […]
Transgrid has undertaken extensive aerial inspections along 13,000km of transmission lines In preparation for bushfire season, and to ensure its adherence to fire mitigation measures. Transgrid conducted its bushfire safety program from February to November 2022 to ensure safe vegetation clearance and the condition of transmission assets. The assessments, which included 3D laser scanning, aerial imagery analysis, and helicopter inspections, […]
An Australian-first pole fixture device, developed by Northern Territory’s Power and Water, will allow for the replacement of up to 15,000 corroded power poles in Alice Springs; without interrupting consumer power supply. The bases of more than 850 power poles around the town now have already been replaced using an innovative pole fixture device that makes the work safer, faster […]
Transgrid has published its Transmission Annual Planning Report 2022 (TAPR) which supports calls for major transmission projects to be delivered faster and cheaper for consumers. Transgrid Chief Executive Officer, Brett Redman, said, “We believe urgent action is needed to accelerate the timeline for when renewables can deliver affordable, low-cost reliable energy to homes and businesses. “We are leaning into the […]
The Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO) has announced a temporary suspension of the spot market, due to electricity prices, demands and outages causing unforeseen challenges. “It has become impossible to continue operating the spot market while ensuring a secure and reliable supply of electricity for consumers in accordance with the National Energy Rules,” the AEMO said in a statement on […]
New technology which add an additional layer of bushfire protection to the powerline network is being trialled across central and western Victoria. Electricity distributor Powercor has installed a device near Woodend to test the technology called SWER Broken Conductor, which aims to instantly detect a broken powerline and cut electricity before the line hits the ground. The technology operates on […]
Electricity distributor Powercor has announced a trial to install innovative smart devices along its powerlines to reduce faults and improve reliability in a high fire-risk community. Powercor crews will install 25 new-generation Automatic Circuit Reclosers (ACRs) on powerlines protected by bushfire safety devices known as Rapid Earth Fault Current Limiters (REFCLs). Most of these ACRs are set to be installed […]
The Western Australian Government has committed $10.6 million to install underground power cables in the Hilton and Shelley areas. Works are already underway to remove more than 550 power poles and 28km of overhead lines. The $8 million Hilton project, which includes $7 million from Western Power and $1 million from the City of Fremantle, is being delivered by GENUS […]
Energy company crews have progressively disconnected properties in Maryborough to ensure public safety during both the floods and flood recovery efforts. Crews from Ergon Energy are actively monitoring the network in Maryborough to ensure the electrical safety of both residents and responders. The company announced that it will be working to restore network supply as soon as practically possible after […]
The Victorian Government has announced it will be investigating long-form reforms to the state’s electricity distribution network, after severe storms in 2021 left the state with prolonged power outages. The Electricity Distribution Network Resilience Review Expert Panel will lead the second phase of a review into the role of electricity businesses following the 9 June 2021 storm. The review was […]
Transgrid has submitted a Scoping Report to the NSW Department of Planning and Environment (DPE) for its HumeLink project, marking the first step for the 500k transmission line connecting Wagga Wagga, Bannaby and Maragle. Executive Manager of Delivery, Craig Stallan, said the new transmission line is one of the largest projects proposed since the formation of the National Electricity Market […]
by Powercor Powercor details its largest drone trial across western Victoria as the electricity distributor investigates how the technology may be used in the future to maintain a safe and reliable network for homes and business. Take a moment to imagine yourself among thick, ferny undergrowth, soaring treetops, deep valleys and lofty peaks. There’s pristine beaches meeting temperate rainforests containing […]
New technology is being trialled in the Macedon Ranges which aims to boost bushfire protection by adding safety measures to the powerline network. Electricity distributor Powercor has installed a pilot device near Woodend to test the technology called Single Wire Earth Return (SWER) Broken Conductor, which aims to instantly detect a broken powerline and cut electricity before the line hits […]
An independent report has found that Victoria’s Powerline Bushfire Safety Program has hugely reduced the risk of bushfires in the state. Aurecon’s Powerline Bushfire Safety Program Benefits Realisation Report found the program has resulted in a 44.1 per cent reduction in powerline bushfire risk across the state. Victorian Minister for Energy, Environment and Climate Change, Lily D’Ambrosio, said that the […]
Transgrid’s Victoria-NSW Interconnector (VNI) upgrade project has passed a significant milestone, beginning the installation of innovative technology at the Stockdill substation, to enable extra energy to be supplied to 30,000 NSW and ACT homes if required. The new SmartValve devices, recently arrived from the United States and will play an important role in the VNI project. Nine of the units […]
by April Shepherd, Journalist, Utility magazine The Transgrid Queensland-NSW Interconnector upgrade, which has involved extensive work on substations and transformers, continues to progress, with the project’s goal of boosting interstate transmission capacity and reactive power in the grid close to becoming a reality. The Queensland-NSW Interconnector (QNI) upgrade aims to ensure a steady power supply for customers by sharing energy […]
You would not expect to find saltwater crocodiles in the suburban streets of Alice Springs. But a new innovation in town, named after famous Top End crocs, is a central feature of a power pole replacement program currently underway. The four engineering fixtures – named Sweetheart, Chopper, Dominator and Stumpy – were developed and patented by Northern Territory utility Power […]
Endeavour Energy has announced a federally funded collaborative project, valued at $648,000, with Optus, Amazon Web Services (AWS) and AWS Partner Unleash – to create a 5G powered solution to improve inspection speeds and safety of real-time faults in the electricity grid. Through the project, which is funded through the Federal Government’s latest 5G innovation initiative; Optus, AWS, and Unleash […]
Powercor will deliver a $110 million upgrade to electricity networks in Geelong and Torquay in an effort to improve bushfire safety and accommodate the region’s population growth. Starting with site preparations this month, Powercor will build two new zone substations at Gheringhap and Torquay. The Torquay substation will supply power to about 20,000 customers in Geelong’s south, taking pressure off […]
TransGrid has submitted an assessment report to the Australian Energy Regulator (AER) regarding the major transmission project, HumeLink – which will carry electricity to customers from new generation sources, including the expanded Snowy Hydro scheme. The Project Assessment Conclusions Report (PACR) progresses the project into the next step of the regulatory process, outlining how TransGrid would deliver the new 500kv […]
TransGrid’s Victoria-NSW Interconnector (VNI) upgrade is now at 55 per cent completion, with a large amount of civil work done – once complete the VNI will increase transfer capacity into NSW from Victoria by 170MW in peak periods. The project will upgrade TransGrid’s Stockdill Substation at Holt in the ACT, using a technology called Smart Wires, which redirects the electricity […]
TransGrid will invest $1.8 billion to build Australia’s biggest electricity interconnector, Project EnergyConnect, which is expected to save NSW customers $180 million a year, and create 1,500 new construction jobs in regional NSW. The TransGrid announcement coincided with the Australian Energy Regulator (AER) handing down its determination on capital expenditure for the project, approving $2.28 billion to deliver the project […]
The construction of a new 270km, high-voltage transmission line across the Eyre Peninsula is underway, with major works being carried out by ElectraNet and Downer. ElectraNet Chief Executive, Steve Masters, said the project, called Eyre Peninsula Link, would take about 18 months to complete, with the new line expected to be energised by the end of 2022. “This project is […]
Western Power is preparing for the upcoming two-day stoppage on Thursday 20 May, in order to minimise the impacts on customers and the community across its network. The strike has been called by the Communications, Electrical & Plumbing Union (CEPU), which formally advised Western Power that more than 800 employees covered by the CEPU enterprise agreement will cease work for […]
The Australian Energy Regulator (AER) has approved funding for the Victoria-New South Wales Interconnector (VNI Minor), which will be essential in securing electricity supply following the closure of Liddell Power Station in August 2023. The Australian Energy Market Operator’s (AEMO) 2020 Integrated System Plan (ISP) identified VNI Minor as a project required to address cost, security and reliability issues in […]
Western Power has restored power to over 26,000 homes and businesses following the severe impacts of Tropical Cyclone Seroja, which impacted roughly 20 per cent of the electricity network across Western Australia. Western Power CEO, Ed Kalajzic, said the response and repair effort has been massive – the largest the business has ever undertaken – with a focus on meeting […]
Energy Queensland’s Technical Training and Apprentices team, alongside the Digital Division, are developing virtual reality (VR) training simulators to provide Ergon Energy and Energex trainees with a safe training environment. Technical Training Business Manager, Stewart MacDonald, and Digital Enablement Specialist, Noeneel Sharma, from the Digital Division have already developed a Polarity VR Training Simulator and are about to deploy their […]
Sponsored Content
-
Driving a sustainable future & working with utilities to create a more resourceful world April 15, 2024
Itron’s Director of Water – Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific Islan...
-
Locate24 Full Program Released | Register now! April 15, 2024
The Geospatial Council of Australia is thrilled to announce the launch of the mu...
-
Analysing the impact of the transition on energy retailing April 10, 2024
AEMC Chair, Anna Collyer, called the consumer “the hero on the road to net zer...
-
What is the future of energy generation in Australia? April 10, 2024
As Australia moves from fossil fuel generation to a decarbonised economy, consul...
-
Staying live: zone substation upgrades keep the power supply on for locals April 4, 2024
Many utilities work with trusted partners to upgrade and make improvements to ex...
