By PETER DOUGLAS
WOORI Yallock will be the starting point of a major roll-out of bushfire mitigation technology throughout Victoria.
The township has been deemed to be the highest priority among a further 21 substations targeted throughout the north and east of the state, when taking into consideration factors such as population and likelihood of a major bushfire event.
Until the end of September at the Woori Yallock substation, AusNet Services will be installing Rapid Earth Fault Current Limiter (REFCL) technology, which experts believe could halve the incidence of powerline-started fires.
The device stops an electrical current within milliseconds of a powerline coming into contact with the ground or vegetation, stopping a fault before it can start a fire.
Customer and Community manager of AusNet Services, Gareth Downes, said it would be a major safety boost for the region.
“In normal circumstances, even half a second of the line coming into contact with the ground is enough to start a fire, but REFCL cuts it off in milliseconds,” he said.
“There are still no guarantees, but testing suggests there is a significant reduction in the likelihood of a fire starting.”
Final testing in Kilmore last year found the REFCL technology reduces by 10 times the likelihood of a bushfire starting from a high voltage powerline fault.
Mr Downes said there would be additional benefits for those residing within a network where REFCL technology had been installed.
“When REFCL cuts the power, it doesn’t mean that customers downstream will lose supply,” he said.
“It immediately switches power across.”
The Woori Yallock substation takes in a large region, from Healesville on the west side to as far as Reefton on the east.
Towns include Healesville, Fernshaw, Badger Creek, Mount Donna Buang, McMahons Creek, Reefton, Warburton, Wesburn, Big Pats Creek, Launching Place, Seville, Hoddles Creek, Gladysdale, Three Bridges Gilderoy and Powelltown.
The technology was developed in Victoria in response to the recommendations of the 2009 Victorian Bushfires Royal Commission, intended to make powerlines safer in bushfire-risk areas.
Over the next seven years, electricity distributors will be required to install REFCLs in 45 substations in bushfire danger areas across the state.
In addition, more than 1000 remotely adjustable automatic circuit reclosers will be rolled out on the single-phase, high-voltage network, which will allow distributors to detect faults more quickly at times of high bushfire risk.
In areas of high bushfire risk, electricity distribution businesses will also be required to progressively replace their powerlines by insulating the cables or burying them underground.
While works and testing are taking place at the Woori Yallock substation, power outages are a possibility.
But Mr Downes expected there would be minimal disruption and for only relatively short periods.
If you would like more information on the REFCL program, visit www.energyandresources.vic.gov.au/energy
Alternatively, contact 1300 360 795.
