Spring Power Solutions

17/06/2022

Australia's east coast power crisis - How did it happen?

It's been the perfect storm: thanks to the ageing coal generators going offline for maintenance, spiking gas prices due to the Ukraine war, the sudden cold weather snap on top of usual winter demand combined with the price cap imposed by AEMO on power generators leading to generators withdrawing their supplies as the cap couldn't cover their costs were able to contribute to the current power crisis happening in the east coast. The current privatized energy market failed, maybe it's time for the government to step in in controlling the energy market in the future?

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-06-16/electricity-market-suspended-amid-record-power-prices/101156530

27/08/2021

Solar power overtakes coal-powered electricity in Australia for the first time!

Even though this lasted only for a few minutes, more than half of Australia's electricity generation (57%) came from solar power on Sunday 23rd August for the first time, since the market was set up two decades ago.

Whilst Australia is still a long way from peak renewable energy according to the experts, this milestone marks a promising future for the nation's renewable energy industry.

For a fleeting moment on the weekend more than half the nation’s electricity generation came from solar power, but experts say Australia is still a long way from peak renewable energy

19/04/2021

Renewables & Batteries offer Australia the same energy security as coal, research finds!

The research, commissioned by the Australia Institute thinktank, found clean technologies provided the fast frequency response service and voltage control needed to secure the energy grid and reduce cost. Batteries can deliver far more system security than a coal generator of the same power capacity. But the report says regulatory barriers currently limit the ability of renewable energy and batteries to provide system security.

Australia Institute calls for rule change to allow renewables to replace fossil fuels in underpinning grid reliability

22/01/2021

NT WorkSafe links damaged powerline to 11-year-old boy's death in Gunbalanya!

A damaged powerline has been linked to the death of the 11-year-old boy in Gunbalanya, last October. The child was attempting to climb into a "secured external area" of a home in the community when he came in to contact with the live surface.
As per NT WorkSafe's findings, insulation on the overhead powerline got damaged over time due to exposure to the elements and the damaged area reportedly made contact with a stainless-steel wire, energising both it and a metal hook it was connected to. The hook itself attached to the home's metal roof, which then had 240 volts of electricity running through it. Also, neither the roof nor the hook were solidly earthed as required by safety standards.
NT's electricity provider has offered its "sincere condolences" to the family of the deceased child and had since inspected electrical supply installations at all other homes in the area.

The Northern Territory's work safety watchdog finds a damaged powerline contributed to the death of an 11-year-old boy in Gunbalanya, prompting the electricity provider to offer its condolences to the boy's family.

09/11/2020

Residential energy consumption up by between 15% to 20 % this winter due to the pandemic!

- Australians put off paying more than $17 million worth of gas and electricity bills during the pandemic
- About 200,000 people in six states and territories are on hardship plans or have deferred payments

Kathy Flynn received her energy bill last month, only to find out it had gone up by $900. She is among thousands of people grappling with rising energy bills during the COVID-19 pandemic.

02/11/2020

South Australia recorded 100% of its electricity from Solar for 1 Hour!

On October 11th, South Australia reached an interesting milestone of obtaining 100% of its electricity supply from solar power. Here, a significant 77% of the supply came from rooftop solar panels, whilst, the other 23% from large-scale solar projects.

For one hour on October 11, South Australia got 100% of its electricity from solar power.

08/10/2020

Failure of a distribution transformer!

Due to poor maintenance and handling. Hence, why it's important to pay more attention to proper maintenance and operation of electrical assets.

01/10/2020

Woah...!
This is why you should regularly test your critical components in order to avoid such failures!

25/08/2020

"THE KISS OF LIFE"

In 1967, Rocco Morabito took this photo called ‘The Kiss of Life’ of utility worker J.D. Thompson giving mouth-to-mouth to co-worker Randall G. Champion.
Thompson and Champion were performing routine maintenance at the top of a utility pole when Champion brushed one of the high-voltage lines at the top. More than 4000 volts surged through Champion’s body (an electric chair uses 2000) and stopped his heart.

His safety harness stopped him from falling and Thompson quickly reached him and performed mouth-to-mouth resuscitation. Unable to perform CPR given the circumstances, he continued the resuscitation until he felt a slight pulse, then descended with him on his shoulder.
Thompson and another worker performed CPR on the ground and were able to moderately revive Champion before paramedics arrived. He eventually made a full recovery.

Source:
https://esdnews.com.au/the-kiss-of-life/

13/08/2020

Victorian Government to further increase its funding for Powerline Bushfire Safety!

This program is aimed at reducing the risk of fires started by high voltage electricity lines across the state by up to 60%. Last summer alone, 33 potentially catastrophic bushfire starts were avoided thanks to the program.

The Victorian Government has announced a further $7 million in funding for its $750 million Powerline Bushfire Safety Program to minimise electricity line fire risk.

14/07/2020

Enjoying a quaint morning at the scenic Hepburn Wind Farm

P.C.: SPS HV Team

Visit us at: https://springpowersolutions.com.au/

09/06/2020

Renewables to be at the forefront of the recovery from Covid-19!

Even though the renewable energy industry has been slowed-down with numerous challenges, what hasn't changed is the need to reduce emissions. Thus, through embracing a renewables-led economic recovery, we can generate thousands of new jobs, empower consumers, revitalize regional economies, lower power prices and create the foundation for a future with Australia as a global clean energy superpower.

While covid-19 will cause a lot of short-term pain, it presents us with a unique opportunity to accelerate the clean energy transition.