APEX Summit 2016 - Managing Uncertainty and Risk

Have a look at our event's photos and see the people behind the APEX Summit 2016: APEX Summit 2016 - Photo Gallery

Best APEX Presentation Winner 2016

Torry Hanson, Mitton ElectroNet

Torry Hanson has two years’ experience in the power industry, and has already been involved in a diverse range of projects. During his last year of study, Torry worked for Mighty River Power within the geothermal division working on asset management studies for several of the geothermal power stations within the central North Island, NZ. Since completing his degree with the University of Canterbury in 2014, Torry secured a full time job at Mitton ElectroNet as Graduate Engineer within the Earthing Team.

Within the earthing team Torry has been utilising his problem solving skills working on earthing related projects, namely: soil resistivity analysis, earth system modelling/design right through to on-site earth system testing. Additionally, Torry has been responsible for modelling various HV cable arrangements under steady state and transient conditions. Aside for technical related aspects, Torry has been honing his project management skills by managing projects for key clients.

Earthing Safety in Design

Safety in Design has become an intrinsic process for engineers today, to ensure that their designs achieve safe outcomes for personnel working onsite. This concept is relevant and has direct implications while assessing the earthing safety of a substation. When new equipment is installed or maintenance is carried out at a substation that has been determined hazardous in terms of touch, step or transfer potentials, there are certain factors that contractors should be aware of, and necessary precautions to take to eliminate uncertainty and reduce risk. Gardiner (K) Zone Substation is a United Energy asset located in Melbourne, Victoria. In 2015, the site was tested by Mitton Electronet (MEL) and multiple hazards were identified within and around the site. Earlier this year (2016), a harmonic filter and its associated switchgear were installed within the same substation and the contractor completing the installation engaged MEL to model the site, and provide recommendations to ensure their personnel would be safe during the installation phase. The site was re-tested in July this year to determine whether the site had been made safe post-installation. This type of analysis is covered extensively in Australia, and should be considered for future work within New Zealand.

People's Choice Award 2016

Tom Wollerman, Transpower

Tom Wollerman studied mechanical engineering at the University of Canterbury, graduating in 2014. Since graduating, he has been on Transpower’s Graduate Programme and he recently spent 8 months working on the Bunnythorpe-Haywards re-conductoring project where the Catenary Support System has been developed and deployed.

Catenary Support System Development

As part of Transpower's Bunnythorpe to Haywards re-conductoring programme, Electrix, Beca, and Transpower have been developing an innovative type of crossing protection, the Catenary Support System (CSS). The CSS was primarily developed to address the risk associated with re-conductoring over suburban areas such as Waikanae, where numerous dwellings have been built under the transmission line since its construction, and as a tool in Transpower’s arsenal for crossing roadways, railways, and other electrical assets.
The CSS uses a high strength Dyneema rope deployed above a conductor, across an entire span. Suspended from the rope are a series of lightweight nylon blocks, manufactured in Hamilton, that support the conductor in the event that the conductor breaks or loses tension.
Traditionally, crossings requiring protection have been mechanically protected by assemblies ranging from simple ‘H’ structures to extensive scaffold gantries. The assemblies are typically placed either side of the crossing and may have a net between them depending on the level of protection required.
The CSS can be used in place of traditional hurdles and has several distinct advantages. The CSS is deployed over an entire span in a matter of hours, eliminating the requirement for a separate hurdle for each crossing within the span. The CSS can also be deployed over motorways and railways without requiring their closure and even be deployed over live substations removing the uncertainty surrounding outages and closures.

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