Brunswick Terminal Station upgrade keeps neighbours happy

Located less than 6km from the heart of Melbourne, the scale and complexity of the brownfield upgrade of AusNet Services’ Brunswick Terminal Station (BTS) is immense.

BTS provides electricity through CitiPower’s and Jemena’s distribution networks to about 25,000 customers in the city’s inner north, operating as a 220kV terminal station with 220kV connections to Thomastown Terminal Station (TTS) and Richmond Terminal Station (RTS). Three 75MVA 220/22kV transformers supply the CitiPower 22kV distribution network.

The upgrade of the terminal station will help secure the electricity supply to Melbourne’s central business district and inner suburbs, and ultimately supply an additional 65,000 residential and business customers. The upgrade was deemed to be necessary as a result of an assessment of Melbourne’s electricity needs by CitiPower and the Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO).

The project will involve the installation of state-of-the-art electrical equipment housed in architecturally-treated buildings, while buildings no longer required have been removed.  Construction is expected to be completed within two years.

Technically, this involves the installation of a new 66kV network connection point for CitiPower. This project introduces new 220kV and 66kV Gas Insulated Switchgear (GIS), three 220/66kV 225MVA B transformers, two 66kV capacitor banks, associated secondary control and protection equipment, and testing and commissioning.

The existing terminal station site will initially be redeveloped to accommodate new 220kV and 66kV GIS buildings, three B transformers bays and three 66kV capacitor bank bays. The 220kV building will include a new control room.

Operating in a quiet residential neighbourhood, AusNet Services and its contractors are required to minimise the impact of works on local residents. In fact, a Construction Environmental Management Plan (CEMP) was established early in the project, to set stringent controls around noise, traffic and waste.

The Merri Creek flowing 10m from the site is also a key environmental sensitivity.

As well as reducing the footprint of the BTS, selected equipment will be hidden inside architecturally-designed buildings to curb appeal. To further improve the station’s appearance and to enhance the Merri Creek corridor, extensive landscaping will be undertaken to screen the development from neighbouring properties.

Zinfra is expected to continue work on the project until March 2017.

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