The Melbourne Times Article

Plug pulled on power station upgrade

PRESSURE is growing for an electrical power station, which will feed the inner city and northern suburbs’ electricity needs, to be built underground.

Last month, Moreland Council scuttled plans lodged by power company SP AusNet to upgrade the Brunswick terminal station from 225 megavolts to 675 megavolts. SP AusNet says it is crucial to upgrade and expand the power station to secure electricity supply to the CBD, Carlton, Northcote, Brunswick and surrounding areas.

The power station is surrounded by houses and backs onto Merri Creek.
The Essential Services Commission approved the upgrade of the station, owned by SP AusNet and run by CitiPower/Powercor, finding it was the most efficient way to meet the innernorth’s growing power needs.

When rebuffing the SP AusNet proposal – which included planting trees around the power station to shield it from view – Moreland’s planning committee said opportunities to build an underground power station should be investigated.

Two state seats, three federal electorates and three municipalities adjoin the site.
Wills MHR Kelvin Thomson said the original proposal would dominate the Merri Creek environment and was not appropriate. ‘‘I do think we should be looking at ways to get this facility underground.’’

Northcote MLA Fiona Richardson commended SP AusNet for not immediately appealing Moreland Council’s decision to VCAT. ‘‘This approach is very welcome indeed.’’
Ms Richardson wrote to Energy Minister Peter Batchelor asking him to meet residents and explain what, if anything, he could do for ‘‘a better outcome’’.

‘Moreland councillor Jo Connellan said representatives from SP AusNet, the three councils and residents would meet in the next fortnight.

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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

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