SINGAPORE POWER’S AUSTRALIAN BIZ CHECKS POWERPOLES FOR FIRE RISK
SINGAPORE POWER’S AUSTRALIAN BIZ CHECKS POWERPOLES FOR FIRE RISK
10 June 2010
published by www.tradingmarkets.com
Australia — Victoria’s electricity network operator SP AusNet (ASX:SPN) says it has responded to the 2009 Black Saturday bushfires with high-tech inspection programs for power poles.
SP AusNet this financial year used aerial inspections via helicopters – a first for an electricity distribution business in Australia – to improve its Bushfire Mitigation Program, the company said in a statement on Thursday.
“Digital photos taken from the aircraft were tagged with the global position of the asset so images could be easily linked to the actual power poles within the network, back in the office, where the photos were examined to determine if any maintenance needed to be carried out,” the company said.
“With expected completion in the 2010/11 financial year, this program will enable a highly efficient and effective asset inspection regime and a significant improvement in the treatment of risk for these important assets.”
About 15,500 power poles have been inspected under the program, in addition to the 62,800 power poles checked annually under routine inspections.
The high-tech inspections focused on the highest fire-risk areas in SP AusNet’s distribution network, as identified by fire agencies, in locations within 4km of state forests or plantations.
Several SP AusNet employees were this year involved in providing evidence to the Victorian Bushfires Royal Commission of Inquiry.
Final recommendations are due next month.
Shares in SP AusNet were steady at 82.5 cents at 1532 AEST.
