Covered Conductor and Ensto fight Wildfires Down Under

Distributors using Covered Conductors to prevent bushfires

Globally, covered conductors are catching on with distributors. Director of Groundline Engineering, Ian Flatley, says “Bushfires are a global problem...Covered conductor technology is a frontline defense against bushfires. It’s the sensible and responsible thing to do."

In Australia, an investigation by the Royal Commission of Enquiry in 2009 recommended that bare wire conductors should be replaced with covered conductors. For rural Victoria alone in southeast Australia, that meant replacing 84,000 roadside kilometers of bare wire lines that were 45 years old on average.

Flatley, says “Powerlines account for two to three percent of bushfires, but they contribute 80 to 90 percent of all deaths...Faults that ignite a wildfire are often caused by strong winds, which spread quickly over a wide area and prevent people from reacting quickly enough.”

Jim Tsirikis, Principal Engineer for Distribution with United Energy, says "The covered conductor is now in use as business as usual." The transition from bare conductor has been smooth. "There are other insulated conductor technologies like high-voltage aerial bundled cable, however these require specialised cable jointing skills which are not required for covered conductor. This is a big benefit."

Covered Conductor Solutions are global experts in specifying, designing and managing covered conductor installation projects for energy utilities. Their expertise covers anything from design to network integration to infrastructure, and ensures that crews on the ground are confident and able to maximise rollout velocity at scale. Request an information pack here. 

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