Trial to increase powerline safety begins in NSW
NSW distribution network service provider (DNSP) Ausgrid is trialling a new type of powerline technology with the aim of increasing safety and reliability.
The lightweight covered conductor was supplied by Swedish specialist cable producer Amokabel with support from Groundline Engineering, and has been installed on an 11 kilovolt (kV) line in the Sydney suburb of St Ives. This is the first deployment of lightweight covered conductor in New South Wales, Ausgrid said.
“Ausgrid is leading the way on improving network resilience and reliability for power consumers in New South Wales, providing an example for other DNSPs,” said Steve Rutland, Managing Director of Amokabel Australia.
“Covered conductor offers a range of benefits in terms of resilience, reliability and safety, making it a clear choice for widespread deployment — especially with the effects of climate change having an increasing effect on our networks.”
The technology consists of conductive wire surrounded by an insulating jacket made of advanced lightweight insulation materials that improves reliability and adds minimal weight. This means that it can be restrung on existing poles to save the DNSP — and therefore the consumer — the cost of replacing infrastructure.
Ausgrid’s goal for the trial is to compare this new technology with its existing methods. Lightweight covered conductor is more resilient than bare wire and significantly easier to install than older covered conductor technologies. It is highly resistant to dropped tree branches, a common cause of outages. The technology is also safer for people and wildlife.
As an additional benefit, lightweight covered conductor can help to reduce the risk of bushfire by 98.8% compared with bare wire, according to Amokabel. This is because, unlike bare wire, an overhead line using covered conductor doesn’t produce sparks when it contacts dry foliage or other objects.
If the 11 kV trial line is successful, Ausgrid will consider deploying a higher-rated version of the covered conductor for 33 kV lines.
Rob Bradley, Senior Engineer, Transmission Engineering at Ausgrid, reported that the first installation of the new CCSX covered conductor system went quickly and smoothly, with positive feedback from field crews.
“We really appreciated Groundline/Amokabel’s assistance with field crew training and also practical support and guidance during the installation works,” Bradley said.
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