Warwick Solar Farm

In association with the University of Queensland, Lendlease, Ergon Energy and Energy Queensland, Power Grid Solutions (PGS) are a proud lead partner of the 64MW Warwick Solar Farm, which officially opened in mid-July.

Substation Infrastructure

Energy Queensland’s Sladevale Substation & associated HV/LV infrastructure, which is adjacent to the UQ Substation, was recently designed by Power Grid Solutions. This electrical infrastructure connects the dedicated assets for the 64MW Warwick Solar Farm, enabling the University of Queensland to shift to 100 per cent renewable energy. 

The output of the Warwick Solar Farm will be about 160GWh per annum. Professor Peter Høj, UQ Vice-Chancellor and President of the University said, “The generation profile of the solar farm provides an ideal opportunity for piloting emerging battery energy storage or hydrogen conversion technologies.” Specialising in Substation Design, Field Testing, Commissioning and Consultation to the power system industry, Power Grid Solutions provided a comprehensive suite of engineering and technical services.

Engineering Works

All engineering works for this project were performed and certified (RPEQ) by PGS team of HV specialist engineers. PGS was responsible for the engineering design for Energy Queensland’s DCT 33kV switchroom and 2 x 33/0.4kV kiosk transformers along with switchgears, protection, metering and communication panels, switchroom building & supporting steelwork.

Through this project, we completed a detailed design of all components required in EQL’s 33kV Switchroom, including all general arrangements, single line diagrams, schematics, cable schedules, termination and connection diagrams. Further works regarding the Load Flow and Fault Studies for the Solar Farm, plus a HV Cable Rating Study (for the 33kV Underground feeders connecting to the 33kV Overhead lines) were undertaken, along with insulation coordination studies and the resulting selection of surge protection devices. 

PGS Director and Principal Electrical Engineer, Innocent Bisanabo, said, “PGS were additionally engaged to provide protection study and settings reports, including lightning protection and risk assessments for the combined DCT & UQ switchyard areas. Public safety requirements of residents also meant that LFI and EMF Studies for the 33kV Double Circuit (OHL) between the Sladevale Substation and the Warwick Substation along Jensens Road were performed.” 

Power Grid Solutions thanks Lendlease for the opportunity to showcase our expertise throughout this project; adding value, coordinating the transfer of knowledge and providing innovative, reliable and cost-effective engineering services to this important sustainability initiative.