Drone inspections
Landowners will be contacted as per our usual land access process if Western Power is planning to fly over their property.
If you have private powerlines or a private power pole on your property, it's your responsibility to inspect and maintain them. If you're unsure where Western Power’s network ends and where your responsibilities begin, call us on 13 10 87.
Our drones are designed for inspection meaning any vision captured will only be used to assist in resolving the issue. Your privacy will be protected.
Our pilots have undertaken training specific to inspecting powerlines and identifying issues. Our equipment has in-built technology designed specifically for this type of work.
We encourage the safe flying of all drones as laid out on CASA’s droneflyer website.
Routine power pole inspections also include inspecting at ground level and other parts of Western Power assets, so they cannot be done entirely by drone.
Previously, we had commissioned contractors to utilise drones for a small number of other operations. This trial brings the personnel and expertise in-house, supporting jobs and upskilling for our valued team in innovative technology solutions.
Pole inspections to find faults are undertaken by our teams who often must drive or walk alongside powerlines over long distances to locate a fault. This can sometimes involve accessing land that is environmentally sensitive, could damage crops or are generally difficult to access.
This is why drone technology could provide a big benefit as it would reduce the types of risk our crews are exposed to in their day-to-day jobs.
Drones do make noise when they’re under operation and we are conscious that can cause a nuisance.
Our drones will be following a route and will not linger longer than necessary to carry out an inspection. If you see or hear a Western Power drone under operation, please be patient and know we are working as efficiently and effectively as we can to keep you, and our network, safe.
The drone will always be flown in the proximity of the pilots. Our drone pilots and their vehicles will be easily identified as Western Power.
Islanding FAQs
Yes, you should be able to use your electrical appliances as usual during islanding, as the process aims to provide a seamless and uninterrupted power supply.
The duration of islanding depends on the specific maintenance or upgrade work being carried out. It can last anywhere from a few hours to several days or even weeks, depending on the complexity of the project.
The primary purpose of islanding is to prevent power outages during essential network upgrades and maintenance. However, there's always a slight risk of unforeseen issues. In such cases, crews are on standby, ready to address any problems and restore power as quickly and safely as possible.
Islanding is a technique applied during network upgrades and maintenance, while a microgrid is a smaller-scale, independent electricity network. A microgrid can function autonomously while disconnected from the main electricity grid and can be as small as a single building or as large as entire sections of a town.
Islanding involves meticulous planning and cooperation with generation partners like Synergy and the Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO) to ensure the highest level of safety and reliability throughout the process. Risks are actively managed with robust protocols and procedures in place.
During islanding, customers are slowly and safely switched to a generator, avoiding power interruptions. Most customers are unaware that they have been switched to an islanded network, ensuring a seamless experience.
Minimum demand FAQs
Minimum Demand is the lowest level of energy demanded from the grid at any point in time.
Low demand typically occurs during daylight hours in autumn and spring, on cloud-free sunny days, when temperatures are mild enough that large energy consuming devices such as heaters, air conditioners and pool pumps aren’t turned on and rooftop solar is generating the greatest amount of energy.
When these days fall on a weekend or public holiday, when offices and large industry are off and aren’t using power, there is a risk that demand levels can drop to extreme levels.
Under these conditions, AEMO who is responsible for whole electricity system instigates critical measures required to maintain to the security of the power system and stability of the electricity supply in the South West Interconnected System.
Check out AEMO Factsheet: Minimum Demand for more information.
We’ve been transforming the grid to enable greater connection of renewables, particularly rooftop solar. However, on occasions the electricity system can be put under stress when demand is extremely low.
In spring 2022, Western Australia’s Minimum Demand records were broken four times over two weekends.
As reported by Australian Energy Market Operator, on Saturday, 16 October 2022, WA recorded 626MW of demand around midday, and at the time rooftop solar provided an estimated 74% of the underlying demand. To put this into context, the power system has a recorded maximum of 4,000MW and an average demand of somewhere around 2,000MW.
The intermittent and uncontrolled nature of solar generation presents challenges to the way AEMO balances and maintains the security and reliability of the power system, especially on mild sunny weekend days. See the AEMO Factsheet: Minimum Demand for more information.
Minimum Demand is also commonly referred to as low load or system low. Check out AEMO Factsheet: Minimum Demand for more information.
In March 2019, the State Government launched Western Australia’s Energy Transformation Strategy, a comprehensive program of work provides a vision to facilitate greater amounts of low-cost, low-emissions renewable generation to be connected to the SWIS, while managing the emerging risks to the network and power system. It’s focused on improving the resilience of the energy system, particularly through practical initiatives that address Minimum Demand challenges.
Western Power is playing a significant role to deliver: Distributed Energy Resources (DER) Roadmap, Whole of System Plan (WOSP), Foundation Regulatory Frameworks and SWIS Demand Assessment.
With our customers both consuming energy and now supplying energy, we’re changing the way we manage our network.
Western Power is working with AEMO and the State Government to minimise the impact of low electricity demand and support the ongoing solar uptake by customers and our community as we transition to a renewable future. To do that, we’ve implemented new measures and using new technologies and approaches to facilitate the growth of renewable power on the grid including:
- community batteries
- virtual power plant trial - Project Symphony
- mini-pumped hydro system trial
- microgrids.
We’re working with WA Government, Energy Policy WA, AEMO and Synergy to transform our energy landscape to make it more renewable and help decarbonise WA.
Minimum Demand conditions are a permanent feature of how AEMO manages the South West Interconnected System (SWIS) due to the continued growth of rooftop solar. This is not exclusive to Western Australia as any electricity system providers throughout Australia and indeed the world have been tackling the effects of Minimum Demand.
Given the distinctive features of our island system, with no interconnecting transmission systems to assist with demand management and stability issues - the technical and operational challenges faced is unique.
Trial FAQs
Yes, if you’re outside the trial area you can apply for a supply allocation increase at a cost via Western Power’s website. Alternatively, you can authorise your electrical contractor to apply on your behalf.
No. If your premise is in trial area, the increase in supply allocation from 32 Amp to 63 Amp for single phase connections is effective now. If you experience frequent tripping on your property and you have a 32 Amp main switch circuit breaker installed, please contact your electrical contractor to upgrade your device.
The trial means homes and businesses in the area will be able to install a 63 Amp rated main switch circuit breaker, this is an increase from the current 32 Amp supply allocation for single phase connections in regional and rural areas.
| Zone type | 1 phase | 3 phase | Split-phase |
|---|---|---|---|
| Metro and regional centres | 63 Amps (240 volts) | 32 Amps (415 volts) | Not applicable |
| Rural (trial area – refer to the trial area map) | 63 Amps (240 volts) | 32 Amps (415 volts) | 32 Amp, per phase (480 volts) |
| Rural (outside trial area) | 32 Amps (240 volts) | 32 Amps (415 volts) | 20 Amp, per phase (480 volts) |
We’re trialling an increase in rural supply allocations for single phase connections (240V) following a review undertaken to assess regional and rural power supply allocations in-line with community needs and network capacity.
With the accelerated roll-out of Advanced Metering Infrastructure, we have been able to gather more detailed data and information than ever before – allowing us to model current and future regional network usage. The data shows that the existing electrical infrastructure can support an increase in regional load, with network reinforcements to be implemented through our forward planning.
The trial will help to confirm preliminary review findings that a standardised supply allocation across the South West Interconnected System can be managed in a safe and reliable way for community benefit.
Vegetation FAQs
We define Natural vegetation as "vegetation which occurs naturally in the area or is an endemic (native to the area) and is not planted, cultivated, tended, watered or fertilised by any other than naturally occurring means…"
Cultivated vegetation is any vegetation with does not fit this criteria.
If trees have been allowed to grow until nearly touching the wires, they are not safe to be cut by anyone except our fault crews. If this is the circumstance when we inspect then we will notify you as usual but indicate that we will cut the trees out of the danger zone, and not to address the situation until we have left a card to say this job has been done.
Clearance zones around powerlines are determined by the Department of Mines, Industry Regulation and Safety (note that their brochure puts typical clearance at 2m as it does not take into account updates to Fire Risk Ratings). The clearance zone is the distance around our wires which must be kept free of branches.
Clearance zones vary depending on the:
- Insulation type
- Voltage
- Distance between each pole
- The fire risk of the area.
Follow the below distances as a guide to typical minimum safe distance between customer's trees and powerlines:
- Urban areas: 2.5m horizontally and 2m below the wires
- Rural areas: 4m horizontally and 2.5m below the wires
Note: Cutting should be performed to ensure that the trees will not grow back into the clearance zone before the power line is inspected again.
Tree regrowth boundaries between property and electrical equipment
- Occupants are responsible for keeping trees trimmed away from Service Wires (We don't cut vegetation from around service wires)
- The occupant remains responsible if they do not to attend to pruning
- The occupant may be liable for any costs resulting from damage caused by trees within the clearance zone
Our safety policy which is in part informed by the Energy Operators (Powers) Act 1979 (section 54), is that the clearance zone either side of our powerline is "Clear to the sky". This exceeds the authority of the Energy Safety Guidelines.
Overhanging trees will be notified on 40-day notices to ensure that you are aware that there may be a risk and can take appropriate action, Energy Safety Guidelines (and our own policy) may allow for very high overhangs where a safety assessment has been carried out by a qualified arborist and deemed of low risk.
The responsibility is expressed in the Energy Operators (Powers) Act 1979 Section 54.
- Property occupier is responsible for all vegetation within the property boundary
- Local shire is responsible for all planted or cultivated vegetation in the verge. The local shires can be held liable if not maintained. Western Power inspects and issues vegetation notices for the council to cut the trees as part of the ongoing Vegetation Program
Depending where the tree is located, it could be your responsibility, your neighbour’s, or the local council/share.
It is the resident’s responsibility to trim trees on private property, even if they are not the homeowner. You may want to check if this is covered in your rental agreement.
As a guide, responsibilities are detailed in the diagram below:
- Tree 1 - Planted on the verge is the responsibility of the local council.
- Tree 2 - The responsibility of the occupier of Property A
- Tree 3 - The responsibility of the occupier of Property B
The Act assigns responsibility to the person/party that is the ‘occupier’. However, It is common for landlords to remain responsible for cutting the trees away from the power lines in the terms of the tenancy agreement.
Our advice is:
- the occupant should forward the notice to the landlord/property manager if they are responsible for maintaining vegetation at the property.
- notices and any resultant invoice for a ‘default cut’ are issued in the name of the electricity account holder. Invoices can be reissued to the property manager or landlord/owner if they request this in writing.
This provision also includes Homeswest (Department of Communities Housing) tenants