An innovative new way to replace ageing transmission towers without a planned outage is a step closer after a recent trial involving Powerlink’s live line team at the company’s Rocklea Tower Farm.
The successful trial performed a simulation under de-energised conditions. It demonstrated this new technique has great potential to reduce the need for planned outages so we can maintain the network.
The method involves removing ‘live’ conductors (wires) from the tower using cranes to keep them safely away from the work zone. The top section of the old tower is unbolted and another crane is used to lower it to the ground. A replacement pole is then lifted into place and secured.
Related article: WA Govt launches $66.3m renewable energy package
The Powerlink team says it looks forward to further refining this method and testing it under ‘live’ conditions on the Rocklea to Sumner transmission line in coming months.
