Siemens has been awarded an electrical infrastructure contract with Victorian electricity distributor, CitiPower, as part of the Metro 2012 power upgrade project designed to service Melbourne’s CBD.
The upgrade involves the installation of 35 high voltage Siemens gas insulated switchgear (GIS) units to be installed at the Bouverie-Queensberry Zone Substation, located on Bouverie Street and Lansdowne Place, Carlton; and the Victoria Market Zone Substation, on Dudley Street, Melbourne.
A further 27 Siemens medium voltage air insulated switchgear will also be installed at the BQ Zone Substation in Carlton. The $70 million large-scale power upgrade project undertaken by CitiPower will provide increased electrical infrastructure capacity to meet the growing population and energy demands within Melbourne’s CBD.
To accommodate the space restrictions of the Metro 2012 project, Siemens provided a space-saving solution with minimal impact to the surrounding infrastructure. The Siemens GIS compact operation maintains reliable performance within the current substation footprint.
“Siemens is proud to be working with CitiPower to deliver the Metro 2012 project. This continues our market leadership in high voltage GIS technology and offers our customers innovative energy solutions,” said Siemens vice president of Power, Transmission and Distribution, Steve Robinson.
CitiPower’s regional asset manager, Joe Mravljak, said the Metro 2012 is a critical project that CitiPower is undertaking to respond to the growing needs of its CBD customers. Supply and installation of the Siemens GIS has already commenced, and is expected to be completed by June 2011.
Siemens’ 8DN8 72.5 kV is the most compact switchgear within the 72.5 voltage range. The 8D gas insulated range has been installed in more than 10,000 bays worldwide. Siemens Simoprime world air insulated switchgear provides operator safety and high reliability in both utility and industrial applications.