A body focusing on energy infrastructure and associated impacts believes more needs to be done in investigating underground power lines.
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On 26 November, AusNet released preliminary findings on underground lines, with a preference for overhead lines evident, in relation to Western Victoria Transmission Network.
Energy Grid Alliance, which engages with transmission companies, regulators, operators, relevant bodies, government, and communities, has compared AusNet's preliminary findings with an investigation carried out by Amplitude Consultants for Moorabool Shire Council.
EGA is particularly concerned with AusNet's suggestion of underground lines costing vastly more than overhead lines.
Director Darren Edwards is worried about the current state of the Western Victoria power line initiative.
"EGA's interest stems from the knowledge that transmission line projects, of the scale we are about to experience, have not been built in Victoria for close to four decades," Mr Edwards said.
"As such, there is a notable lack of planning policy for new transmission.
"Forty years ago, transmission planning policies did not fully appreciate ecological, biological, social, economic, cultural (factors), or communities impacted.
"Adopting this historical framework will result in reactive planning and mitigation measures. We cannot afford to approach the transition to renewable energy the same way we rolled out large-scale transmission lines four decades ago."
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Mr Edwards has committed considerable time to the matter.
"EGA has spent the past twelve months researching international case studies and technical papers to determine best practices," he said.
"EGA has also worked closely with the Australian energy infrastructure commissioner to be able to understand and apply knowledge from lessons learnt in the wind industry to large-scale transmission projects."
Having completed its review, Energy Grid Alliance has raised a number of issues, including that AusNet estimates an underground HVAC approach is likely to cost 16 times more than an overhead HVAC solution; Amplitude's report estimates the cost of an underground HVDC approach to range between 3.15 and 5.7 times the cost of an overhead HVAC solution; and AusNet's HVDC concept design appears to have overestimated the sets of parallel cables, number of trenches, and width of easements required for underground transmission.
An AusNet Services spokesperson indicated more is yet to be done and revealed by the body.
"There is still further work to do as part of the Environment Effects Statement (EES) for the project, but we know undergrounding is an important issue and wanted to share a summary of preliminary investigation findings with landholders and the community," the spokesperson said.
"Further technical information, including further cost and design information, will be provided as part of the EES which will be exhibited for public comment."
The spokesperson also clarified who had assisted AusNet in its research into the WVTN. Reference was made to the transmission company's credentials.
"Several independent consultants have contributed to the investigation, including experts in route selection, electricity transmission, and cost estimation," the spokesperson said.
"AusNet Services has very good operational and financial expertise in overhead transmission. This strong foundation in overhead transmission enables our independent experts and specialists in undergrounding to provide excellent advice on comparison options and costs."
Energy Grid Alliance has made three recommendations which it hopes will be addressed.
It has proposed AusNet's preliminary findings require further scrutiny; misconceptions might have inadvertently led to underground solutions being prematurely dismissed; and proportionate and robust investigations be conducted on feasible technologies and alternate corridors by a suitably qualified independent expert.
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