Transgrid: VNI Upgrade

Australia’s electricity grid is undergoing a once-in-a-lifetime revolution as coal-fired generation retires earlier than anticipated and the shift to renewables continues to gather pace. In 2020, the Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO) and Transgrid initiated a Regulatory Investment Test for Transmission (RIT-T) to identify a solution to increase transfer capability between Victoria and New South Wales. Smart Wires’ advanced power flow control technology—SmartValve™—was confirmed as the preferred option due to its net economic benefits, short timeframe for recovering the project costs, and minimal impact on the environment compared to the alternatives. In 2022, 15 SmartValves were deployed by Transgrid across two 330 kV circuits, unlocking 170 MW of grid capacity to support renewable integration and greater power flows between the states.

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