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Project Scope

The Western Renewables Link (WRL) project is comprised of the construction and commissioning of new 220kV and 500kV electrical infrastructure to enable the ultimate interconnection of renewable projects and to bolster the overall operating grid in Victoria, Australia.

Partum Engineering were engaged with the Early Contractor Involvement (ECI) phase of the project for:

  • 500kV Terminal Station Design (IEC61850 standards)
  • Review of 500kV Transmission Lines Deliverables

The Western Renewables Link includes approximately 190kms of new 500kV double circuit towers (and in specific areas two single circuit towers) Overhead Transmission Line (OHTL) that will link Sydenham in Melbourne’s North-West and Bulgana in Western Victoria, strengthening the transmission backbone in Victoria.

The project will provide the much-needed capacity to support new and existing renewable energy developments in the region and support the state’s energy transition plans.

Challenges Overcome

  • Short timeframe
  • Limited access to customer standards
  • 500kV connection and neutral interface on the single phase 500/220kV transformers
  • Non-preferred single phase SST and associated 22kV single phase isolation equipment, with substandard safety clearances
  • No Geotechnical Report.
  • Limited IEC61850 experience of the Client solutions.

Solution

  • Leveraged existing portfolio of designs to minimise level of effort in the short timeframe.
  • Applied other TNSP requirements, and leveraged company IP to assess best solutions
  • Developed a rigid bus arrangement and extended disconnector structure to reduce quad conductor load on 500kV transformer bushing.
  • Moved neutral bus connection to opposite side of the transformer to remove clearance interface with 500kV components, improving safety and accessibility.
  • Innovated a three phase SST and low-cost outdoor isolation structure, utilising distribution components.
  • Utilised public data, nearby Terminal Station data, and borehole logs to assess likely suitability of footing designs to ensure tender options are de-risked.
  • Leveraged the Client’s IEC61850 real-world design development to support internal expert development of the requirements.

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