Basslink cable failure investigation media release
Wed 20 Dec 2017
Two global experts have found the Basslink cable failed in December 2015 because Basslink Pty Ltd (BPL) exceeded its design limit.
Expert reports provided to Hydro Tasmania concluded that BPL operated the cable in a way that degraded it. Issues related to heating and cooling of the cable under operational stress probably caused the December 2015 failure.
The experts have recommended a short-term export limit of 500MW, while BPL considers and responds to this new information. The experts are confident Basslink can safely and reliably operate at 500MW. Adopting that level will ensure safe and reliable operation of the cable to support Tasmania’s contribution to Victoria’s energy supply over summer.
Tasmania’s energy security is not affected, because Basslink cannot import at higher than 500MW in any case. Electricity imports to help supplement on-island generation over summer can therefore proceed as normal, as required.
The experts believe the cable can safely and reliably operate above 500MW in future, if BPL adopts a new control system and extends the cable’s “rest period†between polarity reversals (between export/import and vice versa) from two minutes to five minutes.
The CEO of Hydro Tasmania, Steve Davy, said the findings vindicate Hydro Tasmania’s decision to conduct its own investigation.
“We’re confident this expert investigation solves the mystery of the Basslink failure for all Tasmanians,†Mr Davy said.
“BPL believed its cable could safely and reliably operate at 630MW for extended periods without overheating the copper and insulation and causing an unreasonable likelihood of failure. Unfortunately, they were wrong. The expert reports note that the cable, as designed and constructed, cannot meet the minimum operating requirements.
“We received the expert reports in recent days, and have submitted them to BPL. The Basslink cable is the sole responsibility of its owner. It’s now incumbent on BPL to consider the reports and take the necessary steps to improve its cable to the standard and specifications promised.
“The expert investigation identifies the probable cause of the cable failure. But most importantly, it also identifies both interim and long-term solutions to ensure Basslink can operate as reliably as it was supposed to in future,†he said.
Hydro Tasmania has also advised the Australian Energy Market Operator, as it’s obliged to do, and operated a temporary trading halt while privately in possession of the information.
Hydro Tasmania’s investigation was conducted by a power cable failure expert and a thermal modelling expert from the international engineering consultancy firm, DNV GL, who are recognised as global leaders in this field.
The DNV GL analysis indicates that the cable had been operated by BPL in a manner that allowed it to exceed its temperature design limits during a number of periods in its service life. This overheating and subsequent cooling of the cable has resulted in degradation of the cable.
These changes make the cable susceptible to failure when it is operationally stressed, such as during polarity reversals and when the cable cools.
DNV GL concluded that the cable failure was the probable result of electrical energy discharge within the cable as a result of polarity reversal and cooling shortly before the 20 December 2015 cable failure.
The recommendations include a short-term (and interim) measure of limiting the capacity of Basslink to 500MW (the continuous rating of the cable). This would mean that maximum export capacity of Basslink of 630MW would not be available for a period of time. This step would mitigate risk of temperature design limits being exceeded.
This recommendation will have no impact on the 500MW import capacity of the cable and so will not reduce existing Tasmanian energy supply or have any impact on Tasmanian energy prices.
Medium term recommendations which would reduce stress on the cable include reducing DC voltage when the cable flow is ramping down; and increasing the time for deionisation before a change in polarity (direction of flow) can occur from two minutes to five minutes. In combination, these steps would enhance the reliability of Basslink without impacting upon its capacity in any significant way.
Hydro Tasmania has proposed to BPL an interim arrangement whereby BPL can operate continuously at up to 500MW without an impact on the facility fee payments made by Hydro Tasmania. This will allow the cable to be operated safely and reliably while BPL considers the expert reports and their medium term recommendations.
Hydro Tasmania intends to release the DNV GL reports for public scrutiny (most likely early in the New Year), once commercially sensitive and confidential information has been redacted.
Ends.
Released for Hydro Tasmania by Rowan Dix, (03) 62305330 / 0409 722359 / media@hydro.com.au.