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Project Scope

Partum Engineering was engaged to deliver the design of an overhead electricity distribution network upgrade along Roslyn Avenue, addressing ageing infrastructure, network capacity requirements and customer-specific constraints.

The project involved evaluating multiple design options and conducting low-voltage (LV) voltage-drop assessments to develop a practical, cost-effective solution that balanced network performance, constructability and customer requirements.

The final design incorporated new high-voltage (HV) and LV overhead conductors, installation of a new 315kVA pole-mounted transformer, multiple power pole replacements, and upgrades to existing 10mm² single-phase copper service connections. Associated vegetation management was also required to maintain safe clearances around the upgraded infrastructure.

Partum Engineering’s scope included:

  • Network Design and Assessment: Developing and evaluating multiple design options, including LV voltage-drop assessments, to optimise network performance and address construction and customer constraints.
  • HV and LV Infrastructure Upgrades: Designing the replacement and installation of overhead conductors to improve network capacity, reliability and long-term performance.
  • Transformer Installation: Incorporating a new 315kVA pole-mounted transformer to support electricity distribution requirements and improve network capacity.
  • Pole and Service Connection Upgrades: Designing multiple pole replacements and upgrades to ageing 10mm² single-phase copper service connections to meet current network requirements.
  • Vegetation Management: Identifying vegetation removal requirements to facilitate construction and maintain safe clearances around overhead electrical infrastructure.
  • Stakeholder Coordination: Liaising with property owners along Roslyn Avenue, the local council’s environmental team and TasNetworks’ environmental team to address site constraints, environmental considerations and project requirements.

The project delivered a coordinated and practical design solution to support the modernisation of Roslyn Avenue’s electricity distribution network, improving network reliability, capacity and safety while addressing stakeholder requirements and site-specific construction challenges.

Challenges Overcome

Partum Engineering addressed a range of technical, constructability and stakeholder challenges throughout the Roslyn Avenue overhead network upgrade, evaluating multiple design options to develop a practical and cost-effective solution.

  • Underground Cable Constructability: The initial design proposed installing a new pole-mounted transformer at pole 197668, minimising visual impacts on surrounding properties. This option included approximately 140 metres of 185mm² underground HV cable through an existing laneway. Following consultation with Service Stream’s civil works team, the proposed cable route was deemed impractical to construct, requiring an alternative design approach.
  • Alternative Network Design: Following the underground cable assessment, Partum Engineering developed an alternative solution incorporating dual 95mm² LV aerial bundled conductors (LVABC), 150mm² LVABC near the existing transformer and revised network open points. While TasNetworks considered the design technically suitable and cost-effective, potential impacts on adjoining property owners required further consideration.
  • Stakeholder and Visual Impact Management: Balanced network upgrade requirements with property owner concerns, particularly regarding the visual impact and positioning of new overhead electrical infrastructure. This required careful assessment of alternative conductor arrangements and equipment locations.
  • Ground Condition Assessment: Identified stiff to very stiff cohesive soil conditions at the beginning of Roslyn Avenue through existing geotechnical records and onsite inspections. These findings informed pole installation considerations and supported appropriate foundation design.
  • Design Optimisation: Evaluated multiple network configurations and construction methodologies to address site limitations, stakeholder requirements and electrical performance criteria while maintaining a focus on cost-effective project delivery.

Through detailed technical assessments, collaborative stakeholder engagement and iterative design development, Partum Engineering successfully navigated complex site constraints to establish a practical network upgrade solution that balanced reliability, constructability and community considerations.

Solution

Partum Engineering developed a practical and compliant overhead network upgrade solution along Roslyn Avenue, addressing existing voltage-drop issues, site constraints and constructability challenges while improving network reliability and performance.
 
Key solutions and outcomes included:
 

  • Optimised Network Design: Revised the design to extend the existing high-voltage (HV) overhead network from the HV/LV pole on Beach Road to the beginning of Roslyn Avenue, providing a practical alternative to the previously proposed underground cable installation.
  • Transformer and Infrastructure Upgrades: Incorporated a new 315kVA pole-mounted transformer supported by a replacement Titan pole, designed in accordance with current TasNetworks standards to improve network capacity and reliability.
  • Structural and Foundation Design: Conducted detailed pole tip-load and foundation assessments using Poles N Wires software. To accommodate stiff to very stiff cohesive soil conditions, the design incorporated increased pole embedment depths of up to 2.90 metres, subject to verification of actual ground conditions during construction.
  • Voltage-Drop Improvements: Optimised the LV distribution network to achieve a calculated voltage drop of 4.5% at the existing open point, addressing identified voltage-drop issues and improving electricity supply performance.
  • Constructability and Design Compliance: Developed an overhead network solution that addressed the limitations of the original underground cable proposal while considering site conditions, stakeholder requirements and TasNetworks design standards.

The final design provided TasNetworks with a practical, reliable and cost-effective solution to upgrade the Roslyn Avenue electricity distribution network, improving voltage performance, strengthening infrastructure and supporting long-term network resilience.

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