6 Substations for REFCL Upgrade
September 22, 2020

Balpara was engaged by Powercor to examine six regional Victorian substations as part of the Rapid Earth Fault Current Limiter program (REFCL). This included feature survey, LiDAR scanning, GPR, geotechnical investigations and soil testing and analysis for targeted regional zone substations.

 

Project Overview

 

As part of the Victorian Government’s program to reduce powerline-related bushfires, the REFCL program has been established to operate like large, strategically positioned safety switches in targeted areas of Victoria’s electricity network, reducing the risk of fires starting from powerline faults.


Balpara's team was required to provide a range of services to this project. Our use of the latest technology allowed us to offer exceptionally accurate 3D laser scanning data, while the use of GPR saw us able to provide accurate asset location services. The client also required soil testing, soil contamination analysis and geotechnical services, which Balpara completed to ensure the site was fit for use.

 

Project Scope

 

  • Identifying existing permanent marks and benchmarks and confirming location and levels of each to tie in our substation feature surveys to established survey grid.
  • Identifying spot heights at appropriate intervals to accurately define topographical contours of the terrain, as well as surveying existing drains, service trenches, exposed services and underground services detection marks.
  • Creating detailed feature survey drawings including benchmarks, structures, and underground services.
  • Imagery and geo-referenced terrestrial LiDAR capture for RGB colourised point cloud.
  • Geotechnical field investigation together with a comprehensive report including geological maps, survey data and aerial imagery describing site and constraints.


Value Add

 

Balpara successfully delivered a range of services on site to optimise productivity while the substation was accessible in a very specific window of time. Our 3D modelling and surveying team created a solution best suited to our client, using a combination of traditional and cutting edge modern site capture techniques to produce the best outcome tailored to our client.

 

Relevant Accreditation/Quality Standards

 

  • Survey was performed in accordance with the Survey Practice Handbook Victoria, all relevant regulations including electrical industry ‘Entering high voltage enclosure’ training, and all points of detail were recorded to conform with Classification AA.

You may also like

Kerang Solar Plant

March 28, 2025
Balpara was engaged by civil constructor, Directbor, to provide detailing and drafting services to connect the Kerang Solar Plant to the nearby Kerang Terminal Station. Project Overview The Kerang Solar Plant in Victoria is a BSR Energy project, which aims to generate enough clean and reliable energy to offset the annual consumption of approximately 16,000 homes, contributing to a more sustainable future while reducing reliance on traditional power sources. Construction commenced in March 2024, and is projected to save 66,380 tonnes of CO2-equivalent emissions annually. The land parcel is over 64 hectares in size, with the plan to visually integrate into the surrounding agricultural landscape with extensive planting of native flora around the entire project perimeter. The bell-mouth intersection off Lodden Valley Highway will be upgraded for improved accessibility and safety as part of this project. Scope Balpara’s involvement in the project was undertaken over the course of a month starting in August 2024, with Directbor engaging the team on behalf of Powercor. The Balpara team completed detailing and drafting of assets connecting the new Kerang Solar Plant to Powercor’s distribution network. Balpara employed GPS technology to accurately capture underground asset locations and create a comprehensive plan of assets within the short timeframe required. The project scope included: Capturing new underground asset locations to required standard using GPS equipment. Creating as-built plans of relevant assets to current Powercor standards. Providing captured 3D data to Powercor for future asset relocations. Value Add Balpara provided timely and accurate drawings and was able to quickly meet the needs of client variations. The Balpara team is well versed in working with all utility standards, including Powercor, which helped to streamline the project. Accreditations Powercor Standards
technician looking at a substation

Echuca Zone Substation

March 19, 2025
Balpara was engaged by Powercor to conduct a turnkey solution at the Echuca Zone Substation. This included Project Management of Feature Surveying, Geotechnical Services and Contaminated Soil Testing.
Glen Waverley Substation

Glen Waverley Zone Substation

February 24, 2025
Balpara was engaged by United Energy to carry out feature surveying, incorporating ground penetrating radar surveys for the Glen Waverley Zone Substation.