| Client | Australia Pacific Airports Melbourne |
| Location | Melbourne Victoria |
| Value | $2.4M |
| Timing | November 2015 - December 2016 |
| Contract | EPC / Design and Construct |
| Sector | Transport |
As a result of ongoing growth, the total electrical load on the Melbourne Airport power supply network is expected to increase dramatically over the next few years.
A staged approach was developed to augment the capacity of the power supply with a third transformer. The Stage 1 augmentation included works by Jemena and Melbourne Airport. This was done by adding an additional 66/22kV transformer and new modular 22kV switchgear and building.
Maintenance of supply was a crucial requirement for airport operations. Zinfra was selected as the preferred deisgn and construct contractor as a result of our experience in reliable cut-overs. The project scope included design, construction and commissioning, followed by energisation and integration into Melbourne Airports’ system. Zinfra’s design manager worked with Jemena and APAM to provide a concept design.
This project started with no as-built documentations on the existing system. Zinfra developed the as built documentation for the existing 22kV Bus, undertook site investigations and identified and resolved issues with the existing setup.
Zinfra also provided quality documentation for new work and provided engineering assistance in managing the Manufacturer design & documentation - in some cases modified other’s design to comply with the Client system requirements (Feeder metering panels and modification of the new 22kV Bus).
As a result of Zinfra’s quality design documentation, workmanship and issue resolving approach, Zinfra was awarded additional work by the client. This included existing 22kV Bus 1 & 2 SCADA upgrades, metering panels, back-up earth fault and auxiliary transformer upgrade.
Zinfra was able to successfully co-ordinate with other stakeholders including the supply utility (Jemena) for Protection and Control interfaces, SCADA interfaces, and extended Engineering support to Jemena in finalising their Primary and Civil design.
From planning through to completion the project was carefully managed to ensure there were no disruptions to supply that could compromise security or operations.
Despite additional scope being added, the project was delivered on budget and on schedule with zero safety or environment incidents.
The new Melbourne Airport Zone Substation now provides the airport with an additional 33MVA capacity, minimising the risk of total supply loss from a transformer failure.
Project Manager Nick Jones reported, "Works culminated with the energising of the new bus tie and critical feeders that we designed, built and commissioned. The client informed us they are very happy with the work we have done and acknowledged Zinfra’s ‘can do’ attitude.”
This video shows a 100 tonne crane lifting the 20 metre substation building into place, the culmination of extensive planning and coordination by Zinfra.
