Event Recordings

Asset Management on a Bushfire Prone Network - Geospatial Analysis
18 March 2020 - Scott McKenzie

SYNOPSIS

Historically Network Service Providers (NSP’s) have sought engineering solutions for asset protection. The risks from anthropogenic change now looms as the greatest influence in the management of network assets. Trees grow, decline and change over time and directly impact on how we now manage risk and seek new solutions for powerline asset protection. Endeavour Energy and NM Group have worked together to understand the dynamics of vegetation on this large, dispersed electricity distribution network. The innovative project used spatial analysis and sophisticated model building to combine multi-temporal LiDAR data with a dozen other sources including historical meteorology, vegetation work patterns and actual observations of tree fall. Cloud processing enabled the massive processing of these datasets and the creation of localised models which described where vegetation was situated, how fast it was growing towards powerlines and the potential hazards posed by individual trees based on a predictive index. The results enabled the improved targeting of ongoing inspection, trimming and tree removal works and ultimately help minimise cost and better manage network risks.

Download the presentation addendum - Understanding the past, present and future of vegetation risks on a bushfire prone electricity network with geospatial analysis.

ABOUT THE SPEAKER

Scott McKenzie - Vegetation Manager at Endeavour Energy

Three decades of studying Australian native vegetation, Scott McKenzie has developed, managed, and taught a range of conservation/risk-based programs throughout Australia. Specialising in NSW environmental legislation and risk-based modelling, Scott has co- authored a range of papers including ‘Understand the past, present and future of vegetation risks on a bushfire prone electricity network with geospatial analysis’, Endeavour Energy’s ‘Hazard tree identification course’ and has been a technical reviewer for the industry safety standards (NSW) including bushfire risk mitigation. In 2018 Scott collaborated with Network Mapping Group to develop a risk-based model to identify hazard trees and optimise vegetation maintenance cycles using multi-temporal LiDAR technology.

Digital Substations: overview and experiences
19 February 2020 - Gavin de Hosson

SYNOPSIS

The Digital Substation: Overview and Experiences presentation will introduce the emerging field of IEC 61850 based digital substation equipment using sampled values and GOOSE messages. The presentation will highlight key differences to conventional constructions and introduce key components such as process interface units and the need for a robust time synchronisation system. The presentation will also recount practical experiences with digital substation equipment, including the digitisation of a substation busbar and implementation of a distributed low impedance busbar protection scheme.

ABOUT THE SPEAKER

Gavin de Hosson is a Senior Protection Engineer with Endeavour Energy with ten years of experience in the electricity supply industry. Specializing in Power System Protection, previous experience included a team leader role to conduct, coordinate and review power system studies, protection system designs, post fault investigations, and investment planning proposals. Recent focus has been the review IEC 61850 digital substation equipment for opportunities to support greenfield substation secondary system designs.

Modular Switch Buildings – Lessons from Practical Rollouts and Value Engineering
18 November 2019 - David Platt

SYNOPSIS

The following content will be covered by the presentation:

• Brick Built Vs Modular Switch Building constructions – drivers for change
• Outline of modular concepts
• Additional design/construction considerations
• Lessons learned from earlier modular constructions
• Benefits realised to date
• Further opportunities for optimisation:
  • Rackable versus Fixed Pattern Switchgear options
  • Elevated Buildings Versus Cable Basement
  • Interconnections via Resin Encapsulated Bus
  • Secondary equipment optimisation

ABOUT THE SPEAKER

David Platt - Principal Switchgear Engineer

David holds an Honours degree in Engineering from the University of Sunderland, UK. He is dual skilled in mechanical and electrical engineering, with over 28 years’ experience in electrical transmission and distribution. Having begun his career with a high voltage switchgear manufacturer in the UK, David transitioned into Consultancy, which has seen him travel the world. Prior to moving to Australia, David spent 4 years in the United Arab Emirates, working as Owners Engineer, project managing the installation of mobile substations and standby generators in many of the leading Sheikh’s palaces.

David has supported Asset Engineering for a number of electrical utilities in the UK and Australia. He has also served as lead Electrical Engineer on several wind and mining projects. David’s current role at AusNet Services covers both MV and EHV switchgear assets. It requires him to specify equipment, provide engineering support in the execution of projects, investigate equipment failures and develop asset management strategies.

Insulation Co-ordination for Transmission & Distribution Equipment
07 November 2019 - Colin Lee

SYNOPSIS

EESA is pleased to present Colin Lee, a long-time electricity industry professional, who will present on the topic of Insulation Coordination.

Insulation coordination encompasses the studies and steps used to select the insulation strength of electrical equipment so that it can survive the operating and transient overvoltages (from lightning and switching) which it is subjected to over its life. A good knowledge of insulation coordination will generally lead to the optimal amount of insulation, but to adequately address lightning strikes some form of overvoltage protection is still required, such as the installation of shielded earthwires or surge arresters.

Colin will go through the insulation coordination principles outlined in the various standards and how to apply it using worked examples to select the insulation requirements for transmission and distribution equipment.

ABOUT THE SPEAKER

Colin Lee has had more than 41 years’ experience in the electric utility business in both transmission and distribution utilities in Queensland, with his last role as Lead (or Principal) Engineer for Energy Queensland. Colin extensive knowledge and expertise encompasses Planning, Protection, Transmission and Distribution design including the development of Policies and Standards.

Colin has been a member of a number of ENA committees and forums and chaired the Australian Standards committee which developed the overhead line design standard AS/NZS7000 and accompanying handbook HB331.

We are excited to have the opportunity to tap into Colin’s extensive knowledge and experience of design, maintenance and operation of overhead transmission and distribution lines.

Network Connection Opportunity Maps
25 September 2019 - Frank Bucca and Matthew Brooks

SYNOPSIS

The Network Opportunity Maps was developed subsequent to the development of the DAPR Network Mapping Portal. The mapping portal was seen as a powerful tool to provide information in the public domain in an easy to understand and accessible fashion. The purpose of the Network Opportunity Maps is to inform developers, local councils and other regulatory bodies and parties of where spare network capacity exists to enable lower cost connections to the network. This will reduce the time required for developers and other network connection applicants for identifying suitable development sites. This will ultimately improve network utilisation and lead to lower network costs to all customers.

ABOUT THE SPEAKERS

Frank Bucca, Network Demand Manager at Endeavour Energy

Responsible for demand forecasting and investigating and implementing demand management programs. Has been working in the field of demand management since 1999.

Matthew Brooks, Non Network Solutions Engineer at Endeavour Energy

Investigates non network solutions to network constraints to help ensure economically efficient network augmentation and replacement.

Distribution Voltage Management, High PV Penetrations and the 230V Transition
27 August 2019 - Peter Kilby

BACKGROUND FOR THIS TOPIC

There has been a rapid increase in the connection of distributed solar photovoltaic (PV) systems in Queensland over the last decade. This has led to a range of challenges for the distribution networks including reverse flows and voltage rise on distribution feeders which traditionally only supplied loads. As a result there has been an increased range in steady-state voltage regulation on the low voltage (LV) network. Reductions in LV levels to transition from the 240V to the 230V standard have helped reduce overvoltage, increasing PV hosting capacity. Ongoing increases in steady state voltage rise on distribution feeders, associated with rising PV penetrations, will continue to increase voltage regulation. This becomes problematic where voltages already swing significantly between the upper (253V) and lower (216V) statutory limits as is observed on rural networks and increasingly networks with high existing PV penetrations.

This presentation will cover:

• the growth of PV systems on Queensland’s LV distribution network leading to reverse flows;
• the traditional distribution voltage management approaches undertaken in Queensland;
• the 230V transition and some results from LV network monitoring;
• the increased voltage regulation associated with high PV penetrations and reverse flows;
• some of the emerging approaches and technologies to maintain acceptable voltage regulation and enable increasing PV penetrations.

ABOUT THE SPEAKER

Peter Kilby – Intelligent Grid Engineer at Energy Queensland

Peter is an Intelligent Grid Engineer at Energy Queensland with a focus on distribution voltage management practices and the integration of high penetrations of DER. After completing a Bachelor of Engineering with honours in Electrical Engineering and a Bachelor of Science majoring in Physics in 2009, he joined Energex, the South East Queensland distributor, which later merged with Ergon Energy to become part of the Energy Queensland Group. He has worked in a range of areas including standards, substation design, voltage management and DER integration.

Electrolysis Corrosion Caused by Stray Current
14 August 2019 - Jim Hickey

SYNOPSIS

Corrosion of metals can be categorised into four main types. The least aggressive forms of corrosion can be attributed to general corrosion where anodes and cathodes distribute corrosion currents on the surface of a metal which are typically in the order of µA or smaller. A more aggressive type of corrosion can be found when the anode/cathode driving voltage increases due to contact between dissimilar metals in a common conductive medium such as water or earth. This type of corrosion is known as galvanic corrosion and typically is another order of magnitude higher then general corrosion. The next level more aggressive then galvanic corrosion is electrolysis corrosion or commonly referred to as stray current corrosion. This type of corrosion is caused by stray current from dc sources such as cathodic protection systems, battery charging facilities and sola generation etc. With the increased driving voltages due to the use of external power sources, stray current in the ampere range can cause rapid corrosion by conduction through 3rd party assets that share the common medium of earth or water. Arguably, the most severe form of corrosion is due to stray traction current where corrosion current magnitudes readily reach ten to hundreds of amps.

This webinar outlines the characteristics of electrolysis corrosion with an emphasis on stray traction current effects and management strategies.

ABOUT THE PRESENTER

Jim Hickey, Ausgrid, Newcastle, Australia

Jim Hickey is the Electrolysis Engineering Officer at Ausgrid. Jim has over 36 years’ experience with Energy Authorities covering electrical testing, earthing design and assessment and electrolysis corrosion fields. Jim is also the Chairperson for the NSW Electrolysis Committee and is an active member of the Australian Electrolysis Committee and the Australasian Corrosion Association NSW and Newcastle Branches. As Ausgrid’s ACA accredited Corrosion Technologist, Jim is responsible for managing the electrolysis corrosion aspects of Ausgrid’s electrical network.

Commercial Asset Management and the ISO55000 Series
26 June 2019 - John Hardwick

SYNOPSIS

This webinar is about the implementation of commercial asset management, specifically, how can an organisation manage their assets in a way that maximises usage and return both in terms of framework and implementation. Also, how compliance with the ISO55000 series of standards benefit an organisation and how can they transform their organisation to realise these benefits.

ABOUT THE PRESENTER

John Hardwick, Executive Director Sydney, Roads and Maritime Services

Qualifications GAICD, CFAM, EMBA

John commenced as Executive Director Sydney in April 2017. Prior to joining Roads and Maritime, John was Head of Asset Management for Ausgrid, where he delivered ongoing savings of over $30 million per annum and the successful lease of the network business. Previously John held a number of senior management positions including Head of Network Strategy at Networks NSW, where he led key transformations and cost savings for three electricity distribution businesses (Ausgrid, Endeavour and Essential Energy). He did this by developing and implementing consistent frameworks and strategies for asset management and safety.

John is a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and serves as a board member for numerous global and Australian asset management organisations and co-authored the book Living Asset Management. In 2018 John was awarded the MESA medal by the Asset Management Council. The MESA Medal is awarded to an individual who has personally contributed at the highest level to the advancement of the science and/or practice of asset management.

John is accountable for the end-to-end management of the Sydney road network. This includes investment prioritisation, planning, asset management, operations, maintenance and performance.

In 2017/18 John successfully implemented a new structure for Sydney Division to align to the OneRMS operating model which commenced in April 2017. The new structure enables better outcomes for Sydney customers, increases Divisional productivity and reduces duplication.

The Sydney Division consists of North West and South East Precincts, Sydney Planning, Sydney Maintenance, Easing Sydney’s Congestion and Program Controls.

Key responsibilities of the division include:

• The customer and community outcomes from investments in the Sydney road network
• planning and managing the Sydney road network to achieve the safe, efficient and reliable movement of people and goods that effectively integrates with the transport system
• delivering high benefit programs and projects through low impact, smart solutions
• delivering infrastructure programs and traffic operations services that meet customer expectations safely and sustainably
• enabling network resilience by managing risks to critical infrastructure across NSW, and effectively ‘prevent, prepare, respond and recover’ from ‘all hazard’ risk events.

STATCOM Solutions for Voltage Management on Distribution Systems
13 June 2019 - Ryan Rainville

This is webinar #4 in a 4-part series presented by AMSC.

SERIES SYNOPSIS

Increased penetration of renewable generation resources (e.g., wind and solar), driven by defined targets for the amount of renewable generation mix, is pushing the performance of today’s transmission grids to new limits in many regions. To ensure a secure and reliable operation of the grid, the Australian utilities and regulators provide direction through their updated interconnection requirements. In this webinar series, reactive power requirements of the new National Electricity Rule (NER) are reviewed for its impact on renewable energy projects.

Meanwhile, on the distribution system, distributed energy sources (DER) in the form of PV solar installations are becoming more prevalent. The existing distribution systems face challenges, including power quality, voltage stability, and reverse power flow.

Solutions that provide secure and reliable power are needed. AMSC is conducting this workshop to increase awareness on the following subjects:

• STATCOM equipment capabilities and model validation required to meet AEMO guidelines
• Renewable energy integration, issues and challenges in Australia
• Voltage collapse/voltage instability, and solutions involving Flexible Alternating Current Transmission Systems (FACTS)
• Reactive power and voltage management using STATCOMs in distribution systems

The workshop will include basic concepts on STATCOMs, renewable energy integration, reactive power compensation, active and reactive power transmission and voltage stability. In-depth analysis of actual voltage stability events along with a discussion on modern methods to prevent such events will be discussed. Attendees will also be able to learn about some of the latest developments in modeling tools and techniques. These techniques will allow power system planners to appropriately identify and address potential problems and ensure compliance of the renewable plants to local codes and requirements.

The workshop is an outstanding opportunity for consultants, engineers and developers who are involved in planning, operation, design, specification, installation and maintenance of transmission and distribution assets, renewable energy or large industrial and mining facilities.

ABOUT THE PRESENTER

Ryan Rainville - Engineer, AMSC

Mr. Rainville joined AMSC’s Network Planning and Applications group in 2018. His responsibilities include software modeling and analysis of the electric power system for voltage support, transient stability, and hosting capacity. Prior to joining AMSC he worked 2.5 years in ControlPoint Technologies’ System Planning Group. While there, he evaluated the system impact of intermittent resources on distribution and subtransmission circuits. Before ControlPoint he worked for 3.5 years at Green Mountain Power and managed the technical aspects of distributed generator interconnections from the application stage through commissioning. Mr. Rainville has experience evaluating the dynamic voltage impact of cloud passage and PV, wind variability and turbines, storage resources in frequency regulation markets, and static VAR compensators. His past work also included disturbance analysis, relay coordination studies, arc flash assessment, and microgrid development. He received his B.S degree in electromechanical engineering from Wentworth Institute of Technology and his E.I.T. certification in the state of Massachusetts.

SCADA – EESA’s Fundamentals series
9 May 2019 - Peter Poulos

SYNOPSIS

How well do you know the technology your remote systems and control rooms depend upon?

While perhaps not a flavour of the month like the topical “Internet-of-Things” or “Deep Learning” SCADA (Supervisory Control And Data Acquisition) and related operational technology disciplines are a key enabling infrastructure of many industries.

Technology will continue to evolve rapidly and change some of the ways we provide the remote monitoring and control of assets. The fundamental need to deliver these services in a robust manner is increasing. The exponential growth in telecommunications capacity driven by the internet, mobile computing and the growth of home automation makes it easier and cheaper than ever to remotely control and monitor almost anything.

Just as SCADA practitioners leverage knowledge from other domains, some of lessons the SCADA domain has collectively learnt from over the last 80 odd years might be worth considering.

The talk will cover:

• Origins and fundamental concepts
• Directions and challenges from an electrical distribution network perspective

ABOUT THE SPEAKER

Peter Poulos, Energy Queensland

Peter is an Electronic Engineer working on SCADA and Telecommunications systems and standards for Energy Queensland.

From his initial undergraduate thesis project with Leeds & Northrup Australia to the present day, Peter has been involved in communication and control systems work of one form or another for more than 20 years.

Having had the good fortune to work closely with and learn from bright and experienced experts both local and international, from both the end-user corporation side and the product development side, Peter is well placed to provide a holistic overview of the Fundamentals of SCADA.

STATCOM Solutions for Voltage Stability and Power Quality Problems
9 May 2019 - Bilgehan Donmez & Ryan Rainville

This is webinar #3 in a 4-part series presented by AMSC.

SERIES SYNOPSIS

Increased penetration of renewable generation resources (e.g., wind and solar), driven by defined targets for the amount of renewable generation mix, is pushing the performance of today’s transmission grids to new limits in many regions. To ensure a secure and reliable operation of the grid, the Australian utilities and regulators provide direction through their updated interconnection requirements. In this webinar series, reactive power requirements of the new National Electricity Rule (NER) are reviewed for its impact on renewable energy projects.

Meanwhile, on the distribution system, distributed energy sources (DER) in the form of PV solar installations are becoming more prevalent. The existing distribution systems face challenges, including power quality, voltage stability, and reverse power flow.

Solutions that provide secure and reliable power are needed. AMSC is conducting this workshop to increase awareness on the following subjects:

• STATCOM equipment capabilities and model validation required to meet AEMO guidelines
• Renewable energy integration, issues and challenges in Australia
• Voltage collapse/voltage instability, and solutions involving Flexible Alternating Current Transmission Systems (FACTS)
• Reactive power and voltage management using STATCOMs in distribution systems

The workshop will include basic concepts on STATCOMs, renewable energy integration, reactive power compensation, active and reactive power transmission and voltage stability. In-depth analysis of actual voltage stability events along with a discussion on modern methods to prevent such events will be discussed. Attendees will also be able to learn about some of the latest developments in modeling tools and techniques. These techniques will allow power system planners to appropriately identify and address potential problems and ensure compliance of the renewable plants to local codes and requirements.

The workshop is an outstanding opportunity for consultants, engineers and developers who are involved in planning, operation, design, specification, installation and maintenance of transmission and distribution assets, renewable energy or large industrial and mining facilities.

THE PRESENTERS

Bilgehan Donmez - Lead Engineer, AMSC

Ryan Rainville - Engineer, AMSC

Renewable Energy Integration in Aus – Reactive Power Requirements of the New National Electricity Rule
11 April, 2019 - Tim Freiberg

This is webinar #2 in a 4-part series presented by AMSC.

SERIES SYNOPSIS

Increased penetration of renewable generation resources (e.g., wind and solar), driven by defined targets for the amount of renewable generation mix, is pushing the performance of today’s transmission grids to new limits in many regions. To ensure a secure and reliable operation of the grid, the Australian utilities and regulators provide direction through their updated interconnection requirements. In this webinar series, reactive power requirements of the new National Electricity Rule (NER) are reviewed for its impact on renewable energy projects.

Meanwhile, on the distribution system, distributed energy sources (DER) in the form of PV solar installations are becoming more prevalent. The existing distribution systems face challenges, including power quality, voltage stability, and reverse power flow.

Solutions that provide secure and reliable power are needed. AMSC is conducting this workshop to increase awareness on the following subjects:

• STATCOM equipment capabilities and model validation required to meet AEMO guidelines
• Renewable energy integration, issues and challenges in Australia
• Voltage collapse/voltage instability, and solutions involving Flexible Alternating Current Transmission Systems (FACTS)
• Reactive power and voltage management using STATCOMs in distribution systems

The workshop will include basic concepts on STATCOMs, renewable energy integration, reactive power compensation, active and reactive power transmission and voltage stability. In-depth analysis of actual voltage stability events along with a discussion on modern methods to prevent such events will be discussed. Attendees will also be able to learn about some of the latest developments in modeling tools and techniques. These techniques will allow power system planners to appropriately identify and address potential problems and ensure compliance of the renewable plants to local codes and requirements.

The workshop is an outstanding opportunity for consultants, engineers and developers who are involved in planning, operation, design, specification, installation and maintenance of transmission and distribution assets, renewable energy or large industrial and mining facilities.

ABOUT THE PRESENTER

Tim Freiberg - Engineer, AMSC

Mr. Freiberg joined American Superconductor in 2008 as a Technical Inside Sales Engineer, and AMSC’s Network Planning and Applications team in 2014. As a Sales Engineer, his responsibilities included specification review and the preparation and pricing of proposals for AMSC’s STATCOM and SVC products. Currently he performs studies for wind farms and other renewable resource interconnection, as well as transmission and distribution voltage stability and load growth. These studies include load flow analyses, harmonic analyses, and dynamic simulations to design reactive compensation solutions. He earned his B.S. in Electrical Engineering from Milwaukee School of Engineering and is a member of IEEE.