Powerlink has recently published a 'Project Assessment Conclusions Report' (PACR) to address the secondary systems condition risks at Kemmis.
Kemmis Substation, located approximately 32km north west of Nebo, was established in 2002 to support the load growth arising from the expansion of mining in the northern Bowen Basin and to provide a bulk supply point for the regional distribution network owned by Ergon Energy (part of the Energy Queensland Group).
The secondary systems at Kemmis Substation broadly perform the functions of transmission element protection, data collection, remote (and local) control and monitoring. Commissioned almost 20 years ago, most secondary systems at the Kemmis Substation are reaching the end of their technical service lives, and are no longer supported by the manufacturer, with limited spares available.
Increasing failure rates, along with the increased time to rectify the faults due to the obsolescence of the equipment significantly affects the availability and reliability of these systems and their ability to continue to meet the requirements of the National Electricity Rules (the Rules).
In June 2019 Powerlink published a 'Project Specification Consultation Report' (PSCR) identifying the proposed preferred option to address the risks and claiming exemption from producing a ‘Project Assessment Draft Report’ as allowed for under NER Clause 5.16.4(z1).
There were no submissions received in response to the PSCR, which closed in September 2019. As a result, no additional credible options that could deliver a material market benefit have been identified and the outcomes of the economic analysis contained in the PACR remain unchanged from those published in the PSCR.
The PACR recommends full replacement of all secondary systems at Kemmis, including the capacitor bank secondary system, by June 2023. The indicative capital cost of this option is $6.8 million in 2018/19 prices.
Powerlink is the proponent of this network project.
In accordance with the requirements of the Rules, a summary of the PACR has been made available on AEMO’s website.
A copy of the PACR can be obtained from the Powerlink Website on the RIT-T Consultations page or by emailing networkassessments@powerlink.com.au
Any enquiries should be directed to:
Roger Smith
Manager Network and Alternate Solutions
Powerlink Queensland
PO Box 1193
VIRGINIA, QLD 4014
Ph: (+617) 3860 2328