Victorian electricity distributor Powercor has completed construction of a permanent quick connection point for generators in Apollo Bay to keep the town on supply during major and prolonged power outages.
The connection point allows portable generators to be connected quickly and safely if Apollo Bay experiences a rare event where both powerlines supplying the town are impacted at the same time.
Related article: EDP scores ARENA funds for Braidwood Renewable Microgrid
It is designed to supply most of the township, including the main commercial areas such as supermarkets, the service station and pubs, residential areas and local sewage treatment facilities. This will ensure that majority of customer and community facilities have power during prolonged power outages.
Apollo Bay is supplied by two powerlines that travel more than 40km through the Great Otway National Park. These lines pass through steep and heavily vegetated terrain and can be affected during severe weather such as storms and high winds. The terrain makes it especially difficult to patrol and repair faults.
Powercor network control manager Peter Lambis said the project would provide benefits to homes and businesses in the area.
“Our new connection point will mean we can proactively deploy and connect generators ahead of expected wind or fire events and they can be operational within minutes, not hours,” Lambis said.
“The facility makes it easier for us to get the lights back on for Apollo Bay if we have a situation where both supply lines are impacted.”
In the past, Powercor has positioned portable generators within the township itself to keep Apollo Bay on supply during extended outages.
The new site is located next to a nearby Barwon Water facility, away from residential and commercial areas.
This site requires fewer people to connect trucked-in generators, while keeping equipment secure and out of sight of the community.
“Residents won’t notice that we have a generator in the town keeping them on supply, which is fantastic from an amenity standpoint in a popular tourist area,” Lambis said.
Related article: Powercor tests pole protection in bushfire-prone regions
The project forms part of Powercor’s work to improve network resilience and keep power safe and reliable for regional customers across western Victoria.
