The Australian Energy Regulator (AER) has announced that it will make improvements to its Regulatory Investment Test (RIT) guideline to make it more robust, efficient and timely, following a review of the test for transmission networks (RIT-T) in 2017. AER Chair, Paula Conboy, said, “The cost-benefit focus of the RITs is critical for promoting efficient investment in electricity networks. Good […]
Ausgrid has officially started the construction of a new depot at Artarmon in New South Wales which will allow the company to provide more efficient responses to local outages. Chief Operating Officer,Trevor Armstrong, was on hand for the ceremony to mark the start of building work. Mr Armstrong said the decision to build the new facility came about after Transport […]
Power and Water has worked to minimise interruptions to powerlines in the Top End, with fruit bats becoming caught in the high voltage power distribution equipment and causing service disruptions. The main cause for the disruptions is bats breaking tree limbs that hit overhead powerlines. They can also hit the lines with their wings when perched. Power and Water has […]
The COAG Energy Security Board has prepared a series of issues papers to facilitate discussion on the National Energy Guarantee. Issues include the design of an emissions registry, which will keep a record of all electricity production and an associated emissions profile for each electricity generator by year. Following discussions with the state and territory governments and technical working group, […]
For the past seven years, Melbourne has been ranked the world’s most livable city. For me, it’s the environment – the trees – that contribute to not just Melbourne’s reputation, but the state’s, as a great place to live and visit. But, as Head of Network Compliance at United Energy, CitiPower and Powercor, it’s Victoria’s leafy characteristics that also pose a challenge when it comes to managing our network.
A long-term program to recommence undergrounding power in Darwin suburbs has been announced. Planning and design work will begin immediately with $5 million in funding, and construction works are expected to begin in 2018/19 supported by additional funding of $10 million per annum. Northern Territory Government Treasurer, Nicole Manison, said, “This investment will create on-going local jobs and help build […]
Investigations into the Tathra bush fires in New South Wales have found faulty electrical infrastructure is likely to be the cause of the fire. NSW Rural Fire Services have reported 65 homes destroyed in the Tathra bushfires with another 48 damaged. Supplier Essential Energy said an internal review indicated its network protection equipment “activated as it is designed”, and denied […]
Icon Water (ACT) is seeking tenders for the design, supply, installation and commissioning of piping, Ranger’s Pump, electrical, civil and structural works to replace equipment which is unsafe and/or in poor condition at the Corin Dam. Icon Water also requires a backup power supply in the event of the mini hydro supply being not operational, and replacement of a section […]
Helicopter powerline inspections will be used to inspect the Western Power network in Metro and South West areas of WA during the 2018 summer bushfire season. Specially trained fault crews will fly across thousands of kilometres of network powerlines, criss-crossing bush and agricultural land, looking for potential causes of power outages and directing ground crews to exact locations. Western Power’s […]
The Queensland Government has received 115 proposals lodged from 79 businesses for the ‘Renewables 400’ initiative as part of the $1.16 billion Powering Queensland Plan. Minister for Energy, Mark Bailey, said the EOI for the 400MW large-scale renewable energy reverse auction, with 100MW storage, closed on the 25 September 2017. “We’ve received strong interest from local and overseas companies, and […]
Powerlink is using a specialist helicopter crew to conduct transmission line stringing works as part of a $10 million project to replace 3.8km of transmission lines in the Townsville region in Queensland. Parallel transmission lines will be replaced with a single transmission line alongside Dalrymple Road in Garbutt, Currajong, Gulliver and Heatley to ensure an ongoing safe and reliable […]
Electricity transmission towers damaged during Tropical Cyclone Debbie are set to be replaced as part of a $7.8 million investment by the Queensland Government through Powerlink Queensland. Severe flooding caused extensive damage to 19 transmission towers on Powerlink’s Nebo to Broadsound electricity transmission line, located approximately 100km south west of Mackay. The transmission line is a key part of Powerlink’s […]
The Victorian Government is providing grants to targeted landowners in selected regional areas to purchase Stand-Alone Power System (SAPS) as part of the 750 million Powerline Bushfire Safety Program. Properties at the end of high voltage power-lines in the most acute bushfire-risk locations will be given the opportunity to go off the grid, by installing a SAPS. “The Stand-Alone Power […]
by Alan Pears, RMIT University, article first appeared on The Conversation 2017 is the year when many long-festering energy policy problems must be addressed. Our outdated energy market model is falling apart. The gas industry is lining its pockets at the expense of Australian industry. Climate policy is urgent, but controversial among key decision-makers. Our fossil fuel exports are under threat […]
Energy Networks Australia (ENA) is supporting a new approach to electricity system security, ensuring the lights stay on as Australia’s electricity generation sources change. Under changes proposed by the Australian Energy Market Commission, transmission businesses will be required to maintain minimum levels of ‘inertia’ on the electricity system determined by the Australian Energy Market Operator. Energy Networks Australia CEO John […]
The AEMC has released a new draft rule proposing network businesses supply more information regarding retirement and replacement plans of electricity network assets. As the technology-driven transformation of the electricity market continues, there is now a greater focus on managing the existing electricity network in new ways. For example, developments in battery storage, demand response and other technologies may provide […]
Horizon Power has begun to expand its standalone power systems to regional and remote customers across Western Australia, with Fitzgerald National Park to soon be powered by renewable energy. The park, located west of Hopetoun, is set to receive a state-of-the-art standalone power system (SPS) consisting of solar panels, lithium battery storage and backup diesel generation, which will provide power […]
TasNetworks has awarded one of its Distribution Overhead Services Contracts to Zinfra. The contracts support the delivery of TasNetworks’ rolling program of routine and reactive services for the next three years. In place until June 2019, the contract is financially and strategically significant for Zinfra in Tasmania. Having delivered as a tier one contractor for TasNetworks for more than nine […]
Energex (QLD) is seeking tenders for the provision of 58-88 steel poles for the SunCoast Power Project, which involves the construction of a new sub-transmission powerline from the Powerlink substation at Palmwoods to the West Maroochydore substation on Jones Road. The total number of steel poles required is dependent on the number of concrete poles that will be required on […]
South Australian Minister for Energy, Tom Koutsantonis, has asked the Essential Services Commission of South Australia (ESCOSA) to investigate measures to improve power reliability on the Eyre Peninsula, following recent damage to transmission lines caused by extreme weather. The request comes after Mr Koutsantonis met with West Coast mayors and CEOs to discuss issues relating to recent power outages in […]
The Western Australian Government has announced it will sell 51 per cent of Western Power, with the proceeds to go towards state infrastructure. Western Australian Treasurer and Minister for Energy, Mike Nahan, said 51 per cent will be sold through public float but the government will remain the largest shareholder. “Under the 51 per cent public float proposal, the State […]
The Victorian Government has awarded an engineering firm a grant to develop a new method of replacing bare-wire powerlines, to reduce the risk of bushfires. Groundline Australia was awarded the grant, with the project aiming to develop a conductor to replace bare-wire powerlines that will reduce the risk of bushfires and potentially enable a safer alternative technology for use across […]
Fixing major faults on powerlines can be a costly and sometimes dangerous task, so it’s essential to find problems early on before they get worse. Thermal imaging equipment is one tool helping utilities to identify deteriorating connections on networks before they become full-blown failures. In preparation for the upcoming summer, utilities are starting to survey their networks to make sure […]
In its preliminary report on the state-wide blackout in South Australia (referred to as a Black System), the Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO) has determined the cause to be solely extreme weather and not the energy generation mix. While the storm triggered the blackout, the AEMO is now conducting an investigation into how each part of the electricity system responded. The […]
Work has begun in the last suburb in Karratha in regional Western Australia to move the overhead electrical network underground, as part of the Pilbara Underground Power Project. Minister for Regional Development, Terry Redman, said an extra 1159 lots had been undergrounded in the light industrial area, Bulgarra West and Pegs Creek, as well as the CBD and the remaining […]
A severe storm in South Australia damaged the state’s power network on 28 September 2016 and left the entire state without power for over eight hours. The statewide blackout has now raised concerns over South Australia’s reliance on renewables. The storm damaged parts of the transmission network and resulted in a state-wide blackout at approximately 3:45pm 28 September 2016. Three […]
Power and Water Corporation is set to begin an intensive maintenance and upgrade program across its electricity network. Poles, wires, transformers and substations all benefit from this program each year between May and September due to the dry season. Power and Water Power Networks General Manager, John Greenwood said providing a more reliable service is the key factor in these […]
New safety regulations have recently come into effect which require Victorian electricity companies to use new technology that can halve the risk of powerlines starting bushfires. The Electricity Safety (Bushfire Mitigation) Regulations 2015 require electricity distributors to install Rapid Earth Fault Current Limiter (REFCL) technology across their networks. The device stops an electrical current within milliseconds of a power line […]
AusNet Services has launched Australia’s first mini grid trial, which will see 14 homes store and share renewable energy through residential solar systems and battery storage. The trial will take place in the Melbourne suburb of Mooroolbark, and aims to demonstrate how the homes can use these technologies to generate, store and share renewable electricity with each other as a […]
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