How SAPN re-energized 76% faster post-flood
"By monitoring water and clearance levels daily, SA Power Networks was able to leave power on for longer for many customers along the river as the floodwaters rose and also restore power more quickly as water receded. This innovative approach, based on digital insights, allowed for the re-energisation of power lines within five days compared with the originally anticipated three-week time frame using traditional manual methods. "
Doug Schmidt, General Manager Network Management, SA Power Networks
400 miles of powerline underwater — safety and reliability in conflict.
In the River Murray flood — the worst since 1956 — 400 miles of powerline and some 4,000 power poles were inundated by floodwater. Floods can have devastating impacts on utility networks and put two of utilities' greatest priorities, safety and reliability, at odds.
As water levels rise, utilities need to ensure that water doesn't come into contact with electrified equipment, as contact presents a life-threatening risk of electric shock to communities, field crews, and emergency responders. However, utilities also work hard to keep critical electricity live and accessible to their community.
SA Power Networks is an innovation leader in electricity distribution in Australia, particularly as it manages the State's rapid transition to a net-100% renewable energy system. It supplies South Australia's population of 1.7 million people across an area of 178,000 square kilometres.
21,000 spans analyzed in 15 minutes using a physics-enabled digital twin.
SA Power Networks partnered with Neara to assess network damage and risk through digital flood impact modeling. Using Neara's physics-enabled digital twin, SA Power Networks completed a report in fifteen minutes analyzing 21,000 powerline spans within the flood-impacted area. This process would have taken many months to complete using manual business systems and resources.
By monitoring water and clearance levels daily, SA Power Networks was able to leave power on for longer for many customers along the river as the floodwaters rose, and also restore power more quickly as water receded. This innovative approach, based on digital insights, allowed for the re-energization of power lines within five days, compared with the originally anticipated three-week timeframe using traditional manual methods.
The 3D modeling obtained allowed SA Power Networks to model impacts on electricity distribution network assets at various flood levels and to predict where and when powerlines would breach clearances or be inundated, requiring electricity disconnection.
Re-energized 76% faster. Zero reports of electric shock.
We are particularly proud of the fact that despite the very real risks associated with hundreds of kilometres of powerline and electricity infrastructure standing in floodwaters, there was not one report of electric shock throughout the extended flood period.
As the river levels returned to normal, the modeling was used to assist in planning reconnection of supply along the river. The work provided SA Power Networks with a rich source of highly accurate data to manage the flood recovery and future flood events along the River Murray.
Visualizing how assets were behaving under flood conditions helped rapidly accelerate the re-energization plan and stabilize the network to the benefit of thousands of residents. SA Power Networks is now sharing the LiDAR data gathered with the State Government and other agencies — data that will provide valuable insights on floodwater behavior and inform future planning and responses to flood events on the River Murray.