Maintaining a Reliable Electricity Supply to Southern (South West and South East) Queensland
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FINAL REPORT 5 June 2009 Maintaining a reliable electricity supply to Southern (South West and South East) Queensland Disclaimer While care was taken in preparation of the information in this document, and it is provided in good faith, Powerlink accepts no responsibility or liability (including without limitation, liability to any person by reason of negligence or negligent misstatement) for any loss or damage that may be incurred by any person acting in reliance on this information or assumptions drawn from it, except to the extent that liability under any applicable Queensland or Commonwealth of Australia statute cannot be excluded. This document has been prepared for the purpose of inviting information, comment and discussion from interested parties. The document has been prepared using information provided by a number of third parties. It contains assumptions regarding, among other things, economic growth and load forecasts which may or may not prove to be correct. Powerlink makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy, reliability, completeness or suitability for particular purposes, of the information in this document. All information should be independently verified before assessing any investment proposals. DOCUMENT PURPOSE For the benefit of those not familiar with the National Electricity Rules (Rules) and the National Electricity Market (NEM), Powerlink offers the following clarifications on the purpose and intent of this document: 1. The Rules require Powerlink to carry out forward planning to identify future reliability of supply requirements and to issue this type of document for “proposed new large network assets”. 2. The Rules require Powerlink to identify, evaluate and compare both network and non-network options (including generation and demand side management) to determine which can address the future supply requirements at the lowest cost to the market and hence to electricity consumers. 3. This document contains the results of this evaluation, responses to any issues raised during the consultation on the draft recommendation included in the Application Notice and a final recommended solution to address future supply requirements. What the document does NOT mean: A. It does NOT mean that the lights are about to go out. The identified supply requirements are expected to arise some years into the future, assuming that demand for electricity continues to grow. There is enough time between now and then to implement a solution. B. It does NOT mean that Powerlink has been surprised, or that anything is “out of the ordinary”. It is part of the normal, routine planning processes in the NEM. FINAL REPORT – MAINTAINING A RELIABLE ELECTRICITY SUPPLY TO SOUTHERN (SOUTH WEST AND SOUTH EAST) QUEENSLAND – 5 June 2009 Page ii CONTENTS EXECUTIVE SUMMARY................................................................................................ 4 1. INTRODUCTION..................................................................................................... 9 2. BACKGROUND: EXISTING SUPPLY SYSTEM ................................................... 10 2.1 Geographical Area ......................................................................................... 10 2.2 Existing Supply Arrangements ....................................................................... 10 2.3 Committed Network Developments................................................................ 11 2.4 Existing and Committed Generation Facilities................................................ 11 3. BACKGROUND: ELECTRICITY DEMAND........................................................... 13 3.1 Overview ........................................................................................................ 13 3.2 Load Forecast ................................................................................................ 13 3.3 Pattern of Use ................................................................................................ 14 4. FORECAST RELIABILITY OF SUPPLY REQUIREMENTS ................................. 15 4.1 Planning Criteria for Network Development ................................................... 15 4.2 Supply and Demand Assumptions ................................................................. 15 4.3 Network Capability and Future Supply Requirements.................................... 15 4.3.1 Bulli to South West.................................................................................. 15 4.3.2 South West to South East Queensland................................................... 16 4.3.3 Fault Level Limitations ............................................................................ 17 5. Responses to the consultation process................................................................. 18 6. OPTIONS CONSIDERED ..................................................................................... 20 6.1 Non-Network Options..................................................................................... 20 6.2 Network Options............................................................................................. 21 6.2.1 Option 1 Capacitor Banks followed by Braemar-Halys ........................... 24 6.2.2 Option 2 Western Downs-Halys .............................................................. 26 6.2.3 Option 3 Capacitor Banks followed by Western Downs-Halys 275kV .... 28 6.2.4 Option 4 Capacitor Banks followed by Western Downs-Halys 275kV & Series Capacitors .................................................................................................. 30 6.2.5 Option 5 Capacitor Banks followed by Western Downs-Halys 500kV (initially operated at 275kV)................................................................................... 32 6.2.6 Option 6 Capacitor Banks followed by Western Downs-Halys 500kV .... 34 7. SCENARIOS CONSIDERED ................................................................................ 36 7.1 Context for Evaluation of Options................................................................... 36 7.2 Assumed Market Development Scenarios ..................................................... 36 7.2.1 Existing Network and Future Transmission Developments..................... 37 7.2.2 Variations in Demand Growth ................................................................. 37 7.2.3 Existing and Committed Generators and Demand Side Developments . 37 7.2.4 Potential New Generation ....................................................................... 37 7.2.5 Scenarios considered in Economic Analysis........................................... 38 8. FORMAT AND INPUTS TO ANALYSIS ................................................................ 39 8.1 Regulatory Test Requirements....................................................................... 39 8.2 Inputs to Analysis ........................................................................................... 39 8.3 Cost of Network Augmentations..................................................................... 39 8.4 Other Inputs to Analysis ................................................................................. 40 9. FINANCIAL ANALYSIS ......................................................................................... 41 9.1 Present Value Analysis .................................................................................. 41 9.2 Sensitivity Analysis......................................................................................... 42 9.3 Inter-Network Impact...................................................................................... 44 10. CONCLUSIONS................................................................................................. 45 11. Final RECOMMENDATION ............................................................................... 47 APPENDIX 1: TECHNICAL DETAILS OF OPTION 3 WESTERN DOWNS-HALYS 275kV............................................................................................................................ 48 APPENDIX 2: ECONOMIC ANALYSIS ........................................................................ 50 FINAL REPORT – MAINTAINING A RELIABLE ELECTRICITY SUPPLY TO SOUTHERN (SOUTH WEST AND SOUTH EAST) QUEENSLAND – 5 June 2009 Page iii EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Introduction Electricity use in Southern Queensland has exhibited very strong growth during the past ten years and growth is expected to continue over the next ten years, due to inter alia population growth and the on going uptake of domestic air-conditioning. This forecast growth in electricity demand will increase loadings on the electricity transmission network supplying South West and South East Queensland. This is expected to result in the need for action from summer 2011/12 to ensure customers continue to receive a reliable electricity supply. Powerlink recognises the importance of maintaining a reliable electricity supply to its customers. Routine planning investigations have been carried out to identify the most appropriate course of action to meet future supply requirements in Southern Queensland. This Final Report has been prepared as part of the prescribed National Electricity Rules (NER) process for the approval of proposed new large network assets. It contains the results of the planning investigation and economic assessment of feasible supply options. In accordance with the Australian Energy Regulator (AER) Regulatory Test, the supply solution that meets the reliability requirements at the lowest present value cost is recommended for implementation.