With wild weather continuing to be predicted over the summer, AusNet has begun an extensive works program to help ensure it can supply safe and reliable power to its customers.
Over the last twelve months, AusNet has invested $42 million in an extensive vegetation management program to maintain a safe and reliable network and prepare the network for bushfire season.
Ausnet’s network covers 80,000 square kilometres, with 93 per cent being in regional and rural areas. This consists of 44,705 km of overhead powerlines, 7,908 km of underground cables, 417,145 power poles and 90,000 streetlights. They have inspected 314,000 spans of the network (the area between each pole) in high bushfire risk areas, the equivalent of trimming around 1.6 million trees and removed 3,500 hazardous trees to improve safety ahead of the bushfire season.
In the Yarra Ranges, 1,363 hazardous trees were cleared in the last twelve months, while 7,810 spans will be cleared by the declaration of the Fire Danger period.
As part of the Victorian Government’s Powerline Bushfire Safety Program, Ausnet is also installing leading-edge technology in high bushfire-risk areas across its electricity distribution network. Rapid Earth Fault Current Limiters (REFCLs) operate like a safety switch, rapidly cutting power to fallen or damaged powerlines before a fire can start. Nineteen REFCL systems are already operating and successfully reducing the risk of bushfires in Victorian communities.
In the coming months, residents may notice helicopter inspections in the area as Ausnet try to get a clear picture of how the landscape is looking and where it can identify any potential bushfire risks to the distribution network. You may also notice their crews trimming trees away from powerlines or carrying out important maintenance work in preparation for summer.
More broadly, AusNet will continue to prepare for Victoria’s energy future by investing in projects that increase network capacity, improve reliability, introduce more renewable energy into the network and protecting communities from bushfires.
Tips for power outages:
Power outages can happen anytime, especially in peak demand periods like summer and severe weather.
It’s important to be power prepared and know what to do before, during and after a power outage.
During a bushfire, you may experience interruptions to your electricity and/or gas supply, even if your property hasn’t been directly affected. For this reason, bushfire contingency plans should always factor in possible loss of gas and electricity.
If you use life support equipment that relies on a continuous power supply, make sure your emergency plan is up-to-date and you’re ready to activate it during a power outage. If you have a private electric line you will need to ensure it is clear of vegetation to reduce bushfire risk. Customers with private electric lines should contact a registered electrician or certified tree clearer for advice to clear their property of any unwanted vegetation.
For further tips on how to prepare for power outages go to: www.ausnetservices.com.au/powerprepared and for updates on outages go to AusNet’s outage tracker at www.outagetracker.com.au.
