Powerlink engaged AEC to design, supply, construct and commission, the Stanwell 275KV BESS cable connection, in late 2024.
Stanwell comprises of 324 Tesla Megapack 2XL lithium-ion units, each weighing approximately 38 tonnes to achieve 200MW capacity and four hours storage duration.
Powerlink had previous experience with AEC on Extra High Voltage (EHV) projects before, and selected the contractor to complete a 260 metre-long, 275kV underground connection between Stanwell BESS.
This experienced helped us overcome some complex site conditions, including a public road crossing and multiple third-party assets on site. By installing a 100-meter long horizontal directional drilling (HDD) bore, AEC could complete works with minimal cost and disruption. The team pulled 225 meters of various cables, 2500mm² 275kV copper cable, 400mm² insulated Earth Cable, 48 core fibre cable and distributed temperature sensor (DTS) cable through the trench to monitor asset health.
AEC also completed all termination, testing and commissioning of the EHV system, end to end.
Works included:
- Design of underground 275kV system
- Supply 260m of 2500mm2 245KV Cable
- 100m HDD bore under a public road and multiple 3rd party assets
- Pulling of 195m Cable:
- 3 X 2500mm2 275KV Cable
- 1 x 400mm2 Insulated Earth Cable
- 1 x 48 Core Fiber Cable
- 1 x Distributed Temperature Sensor (DTS) Cable
- Supply and Installation of sealing end structures and surge arrestors
- Termination of all cables
- Testing and commissioning of the 275 EHV system