Alstom Grid: Adelaide Central Reinforcement

In March 2010, Alstom Grid, in consortium with ETSA won the $36 million turnkey contract to design and construct the new City West Substation for the Adelaide City Reinforcement Project (ACR). The new substation is due for completion in late 2011 and will be located in the suburb of Keswick just a short distance from the city of Adelaide in South Australia.

This turnkey contract was awarded to the Alstom / ETSA Utilities consortium by ElectraNet Transmission Services, the company responsible for the management of the transmission network in South Australia. ElectraNet operates a transmission network that stretches across the state and prides itself on delivering high levels of service, reliability, safety and efficiency.

The new City West Substation will increase the security and reliability of electricity supply to the Adelaide Central region which covers the main commercial and business area of Adelaide City. The new City West Substation will allow ElectraNet to provide at least 100% of the agreed maximum electrical power demand.

It will also augment the existing supply arrangements to provide for load growth into the future and far greater reliability of supply for the Adelaide metropolitan area.

Alstoms Solution

Alstom Grid recently commenced construction at the Keswick site following completion of the approved design which was very much eco-driven.

At the outset, a turnkey design and construct contract governs project management from start to finish, so Alstom Grid is able to control all aspects from design and engineering to plant installation, testing, commissioning and finally, hand-over.

The design process was geared to meet a number of key objectives:
Due to the limited space available, the substation is compact in layout and uses the latest gas insulated switch gear technology
develop a product that would meet ElectraNets desired performance sustainability and environmental aims
selection of product and plant materials in terms of sustainability and the effect on environment
reduce projects impact on biodiversity, health, working conditions as well as energy usage, waste and emissions throughout the life cycle of the substation.

Stage one of the City West Substation receives power from Torrens Island Power Station from a 275 kV 18 km underground cable and allows the transfer of electrical power via gas insulated switchgear to two 300 MVA, 275/66 kV transformers, supplied by Alstoms transformer factory in Rocklea, Queensland. Two 275 kV, 40MVAR shunt reactors are also required to optimise power transfer.

The current design provides for stage two of the substation development which will allow for future expansion, including more incoming cables, transformers and outgoing 66kV supply feeders.