Transgrid has published the Project Assessment Conclusions Report (PACR) for maintaining compliance with performance standards applicable to Ingleburn substation secondary systems. The PACR has been prepared as the final step in the Regulatory Investment Test for Transmission (RIT-T) process and follows the Project Specification Consultation Report (PSCR) published in November 2021.
Ingleburn substation will continue to play a central role in the safe and reliable operation of the power system throughout and after the transition to a low-carbon electricity future. It forms part of the Greater Sydney network which supports the flow of energy between generation in the Central West of NSW and the southern suburbs of Sydney. Ingleburn substation is a customer connection point supplying the Endeavour Energy 66 kV network in the area inclusive of Macquarie Fields and Minto, suppling major infrastructure and a growing residential population in the area.
Transgrid has identified that the secondary systems at Ingleburn substation have reached a condition that reflects the end of serviceable life. As it is superseded by new technology at the manufacturer level and the existing technology becomes obsolete, spare parts become scarce and the ability of any primary asset connected to the substation to reliably operate will be at risk.
Provision of redundant protection schemes to ensure the transmission system is adequately protected is a Network Performance Requirement under Schedule 5.1 of the National Electricity Rules (NER), therefore the condition issues affecting the secondary systems at Ingleburn substation must be addressed. A failure of the secondary systems would involve replacement of the failed component or taking the affected primary assets, such as lines and transformers, out of service.
In November 2021, Transgrid published the Project Specification Consultation Report (PSCR) and invited written submissions on the material contained in the PSCR. No submissions were received in response to the PSCR.
The assessment in this PACR finds that a complete in-situ replacement of protection and control systems is the preferred option to meet the identified need.
In accordance with the requirements of the Rules, a summary of the Project Assessment Conclusions Report is made available on the AEMO website. A copy of the PACR can be obtained from Transgrid’s website or by emailing RIT-TConsultations@transgrid.com.au.