Lake Echo Power Station - 1950's hydroelectric power meets the National Energy Market

In 1956 Lake Echo Power Station was commissioned, providing 30 MW of hydroelectric power to the Tasmanian power grid.  The real value of the Lake Echo Power Scheme is not the energy that it produces but it’s ability to impound water in the winter, which is released in the summer, providing a reliable supply of water to seven power stations.

The water from Lake Echo is regulated through the dam outlet gates where it then travels for several kilometers down open canals and flumes to a small forebay, before being directed into a penstock to the turbine.  When originally commissioned Lake Echo Power Station required local operator attendance to start, stop or adjust the load on the unit to balance the available water.  This simple operating regime worked well through the 20th century and provided their is little price volatility from hour to hour, day to day and week to week, which is not the environment we now operate within. After over 60 years of operation the turbine, stator and control systems were worn out and required replacement.

This presentation will detail how this 1950’s hydroelectric power station has been upgraded and adapted to match the demands of a new and volatile energy market.

Speakers

Andrew Koolhof

Andrew Koolhof is a Chartered mechanical engineer with an interest in governors and machine control systems. Andrew studied in Hobart at the University of Tasmania before spending three years working for Snowy Hydro as a graduate engineer. In 2016 Andrew spent 18 months living and working in South East Asia where he focused on developing sanitation solutions for communities living in challenging environments. Andrew joined Hydro Tasmania in 2017 and is currently the Production Engineering Mechanical Team Leader.

Dr Jessica Walker

Dr Jessica Walker is a Chartered civil engineer who specialises in hydraulics. She spent the first 15 years of her career as an academic in Australia and the United States, conducting fluid dynamics research and teaching with application to renewable energy and improving energy efficiency. In 2019 she joined Hydro Tasmania to find opportunities to increase renewable energy generation and help manage a substantial portfolio of water conveyance assets. She is currently a Senior Civil Engineer and the Asset Owner for Hydro Tasmania’s Portfolio of Canals and Flumes.