Improving reliability across Oceania
Location: Australia
Start date:
Completion date: August 2023?
Key people involved: Nelson Harding, Lepea Pisi
Project partners: Powercor/CitiPower, Waipa Networks, Contact Energy
Increased network reliability and performance
Northpower’s Inspection Solutions team has been actively conducting inspections for various clients in both New Zealand and Australia, demonstrating their expertise and commitment to improving the reliability and performance of electrical assets.
In recent months, we’ve had people travel to New South Wales and Victoria in Australia as well as Te Awamutu and Cambridge, Central Otago to assess and identify issues.
In Australia, one of our Acoustic Inspection Engineers travelled to rural New South Wales to conduct inspections for the Essential Energy project. He was able to assist the local network by identifying 47 defects across three feeders, contributing to poor performance and reliability.
Increasing network reliability
He also travelled across Victoria, covering approximately 2,200km, to perform inspections for Powercor/CitiPower with a colleague. The project included conducting annual inspections on overhead HVABC assets and trialled the technology on LoSag conductor. We also undertook acoustic technology to help identify mid-span arcing, improving reliability and aiding in bushfire prevention. Findings were then presented to United Energy during the trip, with a future inspection proposal developed for them.
Closer to home, our Inspection Solutions team has successfully completed inspections for Waipa Networks on ring main units in the Te Awamutu and Cambridge areas. Thirteen defects were identified by our team, highlighting key areas for improvement and maintenance.
Electrical asset inspections were also undertaken for Contact Energy’s Hydro Power Station sites at Clyde and Roxburgh in Central Otago. This helped contribute to ensuring the reliability and safety of Contact Energy’s assets.
