❓ Ms. Saffioti questions the Minister for Energy regarding frequent power outages in Ellenbrook, seeking data on frequency, duration, impact, causes, and remediation efforts. The Minister provides data and outlines completed and planned works to improve network reliability.
AnsweredQoN 4726Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
I refer the Minister to the high number of power outages that Ellenbrook residents have had to deal with, and I ask:
(a) how many power outages has Ellenbrook suffered in the follow calendar years:
(i) 2009;
(ii) 2010; and
(iii) 2011;
(b) what is the average duration of the outages for each year;
(c) how many homes have been affected by the outages for each year;
(d) what is the primary cause of the outages in Ellenbrook;
(e) what work has been carried out to resolve these power outages; and
(f) when will the work be completed?
(a) how many power outages has Ellenbrook suffered in the follow calendar years:
(i) 2009;
(ii) 2010; and
(iii) 2011;
(b) what is the average duration of the outages for each year;
(c) how many homes have been affected by the outages for each year;
(d) what is the primary cause of the outages in Ellenbrook;
(e) what work has been carried out to resolve these power outages; and
(f) when will the work be completed?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
21 March 2011
Responded by
Parliamentary Secretary representing the Minister for Energy
Response time
25 days
(a - c) Please refer to [Tabled Paper No]
d) In 2006 almost half of the outages were planned to cater for scheduled maintenance and repairs. The rest of the outages were due to equipment failures and uncontrollable factors (eg. lightning, car vs poles)
Between 2007- 2011 more than half of the unplanned outages were caused by equipment failures. The rest of the outages were due to planned outages and uncontrollable factors (eg. lightning, car vs poles).
In early 2010 there was a series of faults over summer from an underground cable section of feeder HBK 508. Investigations determined that the cable section was failing due to termite activity and faulty cable joints.
e) (i) To address the cable faults, the integrity of the cables in Ellenbrook was tested and a 4.5km section of HBK 508 was replaced with termite resistant cable.
(ii) To address the other equipment failures over a thousand pieces of equipment and 180 poles have been replaced since 2006.
(iii) To reduce the number of customers affected by faults, a new switching device has been installed on HBK 504.
(iv) To reduce the restoration time following a fault, an underground fault indicator that provides faster identification of faults has been installed on HBK 505.
f) In addition to the works already completed, 4 automated devices will be installed by June 2011 to further improve the network reliability of the HBK 504 and HBK 507 feeders.
Western Power has an asset replacement program that replaces assets based on their condition (determined using a regular inspection process). As a part of this program, Western Power will replace or maintain assets that are assessed to have a significant risk of failure.
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d) In 2006 almost half of the outages were planned to cater for scheduled maintenance and repairs. The rest of the outages were due to equipment failures and uncontrollable factors (eg. lightning, car vs poles)
Between 2007- 2011 more than half of the unplanned outages were caused by equipment failures. The rest of the outages were due to planned outages and uncontrollable factors (eg. lightning, car vs poles).
In early 2010 there was a series of faults over summer from an underground cable section of feeder HBK 508. Investigations determined that the cable section was failing due to termite activity and faulty cable joints.
e) (i) To address the cable faults, the integrity of the cables in Ellenbrook was tested and a 4.5km section of HBK 508 was replaced with termite resistant cable.
(ii) To address the other equipment failures over a thousand pieces of equipment and 180 poles have been replaced since 2006.
(iii) To reduce the number of customers affected by faults, a new switching device has been installed on HBK 504.
(iv) To reduce the restoration time following a fault, an underground fault indicator that provides faster identification of faults has been installed on HBK 505.
f) In addition to the works already completed, 4 automated devices will be installed by June 2011 to further improve the network reliability of the HBK 504 and HBK 507 feeders.
Western Power has an asset replacement program that replaces assets based on their condition (determined using a regular inspection process). As a part of this program, Western Power will replace or maintain assets that are assessed to have a significant risk of failure.
Notice: This document is created or edited using unregistered or evaluation copy of rtLib valid for testing or development purposes only. To use it for productive or any other purposes please register it. You may purchase the license on
http://www.rtlib.com
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