SURELINE® Provides Speedy Solution for Transend
SURELINE® steel transmission poles provide a vital link to the Tasmanian electricity grid.
SURELINE® steel transmission poles supplied by BlueScope Steel have helped connect new generating capacity to the Tasmanian electricity grid.
The 18 metre two part poles were part of a rapid deployment program which involved close collaboration between Transend Networks Pty Ltd, Bell Bay Power Pty Ltd, consultants Hydro Tasmania, contractor Transfield and supplier BlueScope Steel.
Transend Networks Pty Ltd owns and operates the electricity transmission system in Tasmania. It transmits electricity from 29 power stations to substations around the state through 3,500 circuit kilometres of transmission lines, 45 substations and nine switching stations.
Transend's challenge was to provide a vital link to the Tasmanian electricity grid to take the output of three 11kV/110kV power transformers installed at Bell Bay Power Station in Northern Tasmania.
The transformers and their associated 11kV gas turbine generating units were installed recently at the power station.
The transmission poles were used to connect the new switchyard at the power station to Transend's Bell Bay, George Town transmission circuits.
Despite the short length of the link between the new gas turbines and the transmission grid, Bell Bay Power Pty Ltd wanted the connection in place quickly.
"The whole project was on a fast track," said Transend's General Manager Network, Mike Hunnibell. "We spoke to Morgan Willliams, a specialist consultant on transmission lines with Hydro Tasmania, to look at all our options."
"Unlike some states, Tasmania still has ready access to pole farms with 18 metre timber poles, but this installation was a crucial one and we weighed the 25 year life expectancy of timber poles against the 50 year life expectancy of a steel pole."
"There was also the question of appearance, because wooden poles would have looked out of place in the Bell Bay setting."
"Another pole supplier quoted us a four month delivery schedule, but Morgan Williams from Hydro Tasmania had been in touch with BlueScope Steel and discovered that suitable SURELINE® transmission poles were readily available."
"We saw this as a good opportunity to utilise the SURELINE® poles. Their specifications meet our requirements. They are delivered in two sections and their features such as in ground corrosion protection and a top cap are good."
"For this project their reliable availability was a very important factor and now that they are installed they also look good."
Mike Hunnibell said support provided by BlueScope Steel had assisted the swift and successful completion of the project.
"The poles arrived when we needed them and BlueScope Steel's SURELINE® Market Solutions Manager, Jon Laurenson, came to the site and conducted a briefing and training for our contractors, Transfield," he said.
Despite their inexperience with the system, the Transfield team joined the two sections of each pole very quickly.
"I think even Jon Laurenson was surprised at how fast we picked up the installation process."
"One of the poles had to be installed under an existing transmission line, which forced us to do it during an outage," Mike Hunnibell said. "That happened very quickly and so did the installation of the other poles, in fact, they all went in beautifully without any problems at all."
The SURELINE® transmission pole range consists of two part poles ranging from 18 to 25 metre lengths.
"We've put the vast steel know how of BlueScope Steel into the development of the SURELINE® system to ensure that it more than meets the needs of energy distributors," BlueScope Steel SURELINE® Sales and Supply Chain Manager, Mark Simpson said.
"The SURELINE® solution is engineered and produced to tight tolerances so their predictability helps with project control and planning. The poles allow considerable transport and handling savings. They have a predictable service life and are fully recyclable."
Download SURELINE® Provides Speedy Solution for Transend (280 kb)
