Powerlink is set to proceed with its upgrade on a 50-year-old substation near Ipswich following a unique acceptance testing process.
The $13 million upgrade, which aims to increase secure power supply to Ipswich and Brisbane’s western suburbs, is going ahead following factory acceptance testing of the control building which, unusually, was completed onsite at the substation.
Powerlink’s usual process is to complete this testing at its Virginia depot however, Abermain’s new control building was placed in a temporary location at the substation instead.
This innovation is a first, which provided for efficiencies as well as an easy transition to commissioning stages. The control building is now safely in place in its permanent location.
The major project to replace ageing equipment at Powerlink’s Abermain substation supports 32 jobs and ensures the transmission network remains safe and reliable into the future.
The project involves commissioning a new secondary systems control building to assist with monitoring and protecting the transmission network.
Secondary systems equipment provides protection, control and communications equipment to operate the transmission network and prevent damage to important primary equipment in the substation, such as transformers.
The project will be delivered over several stages and is expected to be completed by 30 June 2021.
