Assets

ElectraNet owns and manages the South Australian transmission system in the National Electricity Market (NEM).

The South Australian transmission network comprises 5,700 circuit kilometres of transmission line, and 76 substations and switchyards [reported in Annual Review 2007].

This network is managed by state-of-the-art monitoring, controlling and switching operations.

ElectraNet’s regulated electricity transmission system and associated assets, comprise:

  • All regulated 275 kV and 132 kV transmission lines, transformers, switchgear, and cables within the State of South Australia.
  • Those portions of the 66 kV sub-transmission network presently used to connect Osborne Cogeneration Plant, Dry Creek and the Quarantine gas turbines to the main transmission grid. This includes the 66 kV switchyards at Torrens Island, Le Fevre and New Osborne, two 66 kV lines (on one river crossing) between Torrens Island and New Osborne, two 66 kV lines connecting Le Fevre to New Osborne, the 66 kV switchgear at Dry Creek, and the 66 kV line connecting Quarantine to the Torrens Island switchyard.
  • A 66 kV line connecting 132/66 kV transformer capacity at Monash substation to ETSA Utilities’ 66 kV connection point at Berri substation in the Riverland.
  • 66 kV, 33 kV and 11 kV switchgear directly associated with the control and protection of ElectraNet’s 275/66 kV, 132/66 kV, 132/33 kV and 132/11 kV power transformers.
  • Associated protection and control systems.
  • System Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) systems and National Grid metering.
  • Electricity network communications equipment and facilities.

Managing assets

ElectraNet is committed to maintaining and improving the reliability of our assets. Our transmission assets are maintained, developed and managed into three key areas:

  • Asset strategies – developing maintenance and refurbishment replacement strategies for long-term asset performance.
  • Asset performance – maintaining the assets in accordance with policies, ensuring that asset information is accurate so strategies are properly developed, managing project handover processes, and establishing and maintaining remote asset monitoring and diagnostics that complement control room operations.
  • Network operations – managing network access, security and reliability, interruption planning, and network operation.

    • Maintaining assets

    ElectraNet outsources most of its asset maintenance requirements, as well as capital project delivery. Our aim is to have the best contractors providing project delivery and maintenance services in an efficient, timely, cost effective and mutually beneficial manner.

    The Procurement Business Unit manages all contracts to ensure delivery of plant and services. Throughout the year, the Procurement Unit worked closely with our consultants to upgrade all contracts to Australian standards. This has reduced ElectraNet’s risk by ensuring conditions in all contracts are up-to-date.

    ElectraNet awarded contracts for specialist Doble and Earth Grid testing services to Tenix Alliance and Consolidated Power Projects respectively, following a selective tender process. These cater for the full range of testing required on ElectraNet assets and ensure we have fully equipped and trained people available for this vital part of our maintenance work, as well as for capital and construction projects as required.

    Monitoring assets

    Our system is monitored through ElectraNet’s System Monitoring and Switching Centre (SMSC), which is equipped with leading-edge technology operations control equipment and state-of-the-art information management and communication systems.

    The SMSC provides around-the-clock monitoring and remote operation of our network, including planning, directing, monitoring and controlling transmission, related high-voltage distribution network operations.

    The SMSC’s functions are complemented by remote area monitoring and diagnostics. In line with electricity industry best practice, every transmission outage is investigated after each incident.

    Our System Monitoring and Switching Centre also provides remote operating and monitoring services to a range of generation and direct-connect customers, and conducts specific tasks for the Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO).