Going Underground

I hope The Jam were right when they said "the public gets what the public wants".



Going underground is what the public wants. Below are some links highlighting the opportunity Melbourne now has to underground inner city and suburban electrical distribution infrastructure.

1. Modern Subterranean Substations in GIS Technology – Challenges and Opportunities in Managing Demographic Change and Infrastructure Requirements
   
2. Underground power links by HVDC Light
   
3. GIS SUBSTATION EXTENSIONS AND UPGRADES featuring Singapore Power GIS installations!
4. GIS Substations That Embellish, Not Blemish the Urban Streetscape

ABB wins $19 million substation orders in Singapore

Compact GIS substations to support power transmission and distribution

ABB, the leading power and automation technology group, has won orders worth $19 million from SP PowerAssets in Singapore for substations that will help to strengthen the electricity transmission and distribution network.

The project, scheduled for completion in 2010, includes the design, supply, installation and commissioning of two 66 kV gas insulated switchgear (GIS) substations, as well as the supporting ancillary equipment.

“These GIS substations, with their compact footprint, are ideally suited to locations where space is at a premium, and will help to secure and strengthen the reliability of the grid,” said Claudio Facchin, global head of ABB’s substation business, a part of the company’s Power Systems division.

SP PowerAssets owns the electricity transmission and distribution networks in Singapore. It is a member of the Singapore Power Group, a leading energy utility group in the Asia Pacific region.

Substations are key installations in the transmission and distribution grid that facilitate the transformation of voltage levels and distribution of electrical power. ABB has a global installed base of over 10,000 substations, across a range of voltage levels up to 800 kV.

via ABB announcement 

Another successful community meeting

On Monday 19 July around 90 local residents came together at Merri Creek Primary School to plan the next stage in our quest to get a better outcome from the Brunswick Terminal Station upgrade. Cath Bowtell (Federal Candidate for Melbourne), Fiona Richardson (Member for Northcote) and Jane Garrett (Candidate for Brunswick) also attended to hear more about our proposed alternative solutions.

Anne Voss presented her research on issues with the original proposal and alternative technologies used as standard practice in terminal upgrades. Ray Colodetti presented a new vision for the site and surrounding areas including options for relocating an undergrounded facility to nearby land and the development of parklands and a community centre. A steering committee of volunteers was elected to keep working on the campaign with commitments to reporting back to all residents through the PowerGridSolutions website. Members are:

Colin Abbott - Chris Black - Francis Castello - Ramon Collodetti - Gary Cookson - Simon Evans - David Hunt - Dean Morel - Susy Onnis - Dean Paatsch - Jill Sanguinetti - Trevor Smith - Mauro Tarquinio - Tim Thomas - Anne Voss - Carolyn Whitzman - Alan Wicks

There was a strong commitment from all residents to continue opposing the plans for a sea of pylons on the site. Instead SP Ausnet and all levels of government will be encouraged to seriously examine the alternative options using modern technology and putting the terminal underground, and show greater respect for the local environment and local residents in their revised plans.

The Australian Energy Regulator

Businesses engaged in energy distribution in Australia such as Singapore Power AusNet, the operator of the Brunswick Terminal Station, are subject to supervision by the Australian Energy Regulator (AER), a federal government agency that polices energy tariffs and sets allowed revenue of such companies.

Clearly, the AER should be interested in what design terminal station countries with similar wealth as Australia deem best practice in residential areas and would not like to be seen supporting substandard options. If necessary, one might expect the AER to seek independent advice on matters such as economic comparison of new and old technology.  The AER is interested in the initial costs, lifetime running costs, reliability, safety and social costs of any new development.

The AER states in their Strategic Plan and Work Program 2009-2011 the following vision and value (among other values):

OUR VISION

Our vision is to be recognised as a world best practice energy regulator.

OUR VALUES

RESPECT

We operate with honesty and integrity and treat people with respect.

In the light of the declared “Vision” and “Values” it seems unreasonable that the AER would promote concealed and underground terminal stations in Sydney, but allow outdated open-air, fenced-in terminal stations in Melbourne. This would be inconsistent with their stated vision of best practice and their stated value of honesty, integrity and treatment of people with respect.

Please see

http://www.accc.gov.au/content/index.phtml?itemId=882100

for the full AER Strategic Plan and Work Program 2009-2011.

Stephen Mayne quizzes SPAusnet Board on Undergrounding Power Assets

Audio of the SPAusnet AGM http://www.sp-ausnet.com.au/?id=240240100CA227CEDDCAECC74CA25775A001E97D9

Instructions

1. Click on the link marked AGM webcast
2. Once you have signed in, progress to the Formal Business section – and slide out to 25.38 where you will hear Stephen Mayne ask a question about how SP Ausnet are coping with the urban pressures for undergrounding & for development that is acceptable to local communities. He mentions Brunswick specifically.

The CEO, Nino Ficca acknowledged that there are pressures particularly for Distribution assets to be undergrounded (he said they do it in some areas) but that Transmission assets are not b/c of the cost and the technology.

He said the BTS development had been spearheaded by Citipower and AEMA to enhance security for the CBD network. Ultimately any redevelopment has to be done on an efficient basis and signed off by the Australian Energy Regulator.

He was disappointed their planning application was not approved but stated that ‘we are in consultation with the local residents trying to understand their position’ so that they can move forward but that any development will be subject to regulatory approval.

Merri Creek in flood

Meeting of Merri Creek Residents Group

MERRI CREEK RESIDENTS GROUP

Join your neighbours for a meeting to discuss recent developments over planning issues surrounding the Brunswick Terminal Station and the push to send high-voltage powerlines along the Merri Creek underground.

7pm. Monday July 19, 2010.
Merri Creek Primary School. GP Room.

Please let you neighbours know about this meeting.

Bury Merri Creek cables push by Moreland

The following article features in this weeks Moreland Leader. The original call was made by Darebin Council. If you've got a few minutes then click through to the Leader article and leave your comments on why the cables should be buried.

MORELAND Council has backed a call to bury high-voltage powerlines along Merri Creek.

Mayor Stella Kariofyllidis said she would ask her fellow councillors to pass a motion at this Wednesday’s council meeting calling on the State Government to put the “ugly” powerlines, which run between Thomastown and the Brunswick Terminal Station, underground.

Would you like to see the power lines burried? Write below.

“In this day and age in Australia we should not have to endure such environmental eyesores that may even have adverse health effects,” she said.

It comes after a similar motion last month by Darebin councillors. SP AusNet said it would consider such a proposal.

The push is timely given the company is discussing changes to the station, in King St, where the above-ground lines terminate.

Moreland Council last month blocked SP AusNet’s bid to build 12 extra steel towers at the station.

Merri Creek Management Committee manager Luisa Macmillan supported the councils’ position.

“The powerlines along the creek are a major visual intrusion and constrain what vegetation we can grow (due to fire hazard),” Ms Macmillan said.

She said a 40m buffer zone prevented trees being planted near high-voltage powerlines.

“The powerlines are underground between Brunswick and Richmond and that’s much less restrictive for planting,” Ms Macmillan said.

Meanwhile, SP AusNet spokeswoman Natasha Whalley said CitiPower, SP AusNet and the Australian Energy Market Operator are “working collectively on design options for the Brunswick Terminal Station, which are intended to be workable solutions for all parties, including residents”.

via Moreland Leader

Push to bury Merri Creek cables

"DAREBIN Council will spearhead a push to send high-voltage powerlines along Merri Creek underground.

Councillors last month voted to push electricity giant SP AusNet to bury lines between Thomastown and Brunswick.

SP AusNet spokesman Sean Sampson said the company was willing to discuss the proposal but the council was yet to submit a request.     

“We always look to work with councils on local matters and, should a proposal be received, we will undertake the necessary considerations,” Mr Sampson said.

Greens councillor Trent McCarthy said the push was timely given the company was discussing changes to its Brunswick transfer station, where the above-ground lines terminate."

 via Northcote Leader