Hon Barbara Scott questions the Minister for Energy on the progress of Broadband over Powerlines (BPL) technology implementation in WA, following up on a previous question from 2005. The Minister's response outlines a review, inherent risks, and future plans for narrowband and pilot projects.

AnsweredQoN 1093Legislative Council
Asked
19 November 2007
Portfolio
Energy

QuestionView source ↗

BROADBAND OVER POWERLINES TECHNOLOGY
(1) With reference to my question without notice 703 of 2005, what progress has the minister made in implementing broadband over powerlines technology in Western Australia? (2) Can we expect at the very least a substantial commercial testing program of the sort undertaken by Tasmania two years ago to be in operation within the next 12 months; and, if not, why not? Hon KIM CHANCE

AnswerView source ↗

I thank Hon Barbara Scott for some notice of this question. (1) Western Power conducted a broadband over powerlines strategy review in 2007. The outcome of this review indicated that BPL is highly dependent on the individual characteristics of the power system and as such there are inherent risks in any large-scale rollout. Western Power will be implementing a narrowband powerline carrier project in 2008-09, primarily for the control and monitoring of a Western Power transmission line to the goldfields. (2) Western Power intends to seek funding in the next access application to conduct a significant pilot project as part of its “smart grid” initiative designed to improve power network reliability and performance. Subject to receiving funding, this is scheduled to commence in 2009.
(2) Can we expect at the very least a substantial commercial testing program of the sort undertaken by Tasmania two years ago to be in operation within the next 12 months; and, if not, why not? Hon KIM CHANCE replied: I thank Hon Barbara Scott for some notice of this question. (1) Western Power conducted a broadband over powerlines strategy review in 2007. The outcome of this review indicated that BPL is highly dependent on the individual characteristics of the power system and as such there are inherent risks in any large-scale rollout. Western Power will be implementing a narrowband powerline carrier project in 2008-09, primarily for the control and monitoring of a Western Power transmission line to the goldfields. (2) Western Power intends to seek funding in the next access application to conduct a significant pilot project as part of its “smart grid” initiative designed to improve power network reliability and performance. Subject to receiving funding, this is scheduled to commence in 2009.
Hon KIM CHANCE replied: I thank Hon Barbara Scott for some notice of this question. (1) Western Power conducted a broadband over powerlines strategy review in 2007. The outcome of this review indicated that BPL is highly dependent on the individual characteristics of the power system and as such there are inherent risks in any large-scale rollout. Western Power will be implementing a narrowband powerline carrier project in 2008-09, primarily for the control and monitoring of a Western Power transmission line to the goldfields. (2) Western Power intends to seek funding in the next access application to conduct a significant pilot project as part of its “smart grid” initiative designed to improve power network reliability and performance. Subject to receiving funding, this is scheduled to commence in 2009.
I thank Hon Barbara Scott for some notice of this question. (1) Western Power conducted a broadband over powerlines strategy review in 2007. The outcome of this review indicated that BPL is highly dependent on the individual characteristics of the power system and as such there are inherent risks in any large-scale rollout. Western Power will be implementing a narrowband powerline carrier project in 2008-09, primarily for the control and monitoring of a Western Power transmission line to the goldfields. (2) Western Power intends to seek funding in the next access application to conduct a significant pilot project as part of its “smart grid” initiative designed to improve power network reliability and performance. Subject to receiving funding, this is scheduled to commence in 2009.
(1) Western Power conducted a broadband over powerlines strategy review in 2007. The outcome of this review indicated that BPL is highly dependent on the individual characteristics of the power system and as such there are inherent risks in any large-scale rollout. Western Power will be implementing a narrowband powerline carrier project in 2008-09, primarily for the control and monitoring of a Western Power transmission line to the goldfields. (2) Western Power intends to seek funding in the next access application to conduct a significant pilot project as part of its “smart grid” initiative designed to improve power network reliability and performance. Subject to receiving funding, this is scheduled to commence in 2009.
(2) Western Power intends to seek funding in the next access application to conduct a significant pilot project as part of its “smart grid” initiative designed to improve power network reliability and performance. Subject to receiving funding, this is scheduled to commence in 2009.

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