Hydro Tasmania has completed an $18 million upgrade of the central system used to monitor and control most of the state’s hydropower network from Hobart.
The utility partnered with global control system vendor Aspentech DGM to transition its power stations to a new Generation Management System (GMS), replacing a 25-year-old platform that had reached the end of its operational life.
Executive General Manager of Assets and Infrastructure at Hydro Tasmania, Jesse Clark, said the new GMS underpins the company’s ability to manage one of the most complex hydropower systems in the world.
“The GMS is essentially the brain of our hydropower network,” said Clark. “Most of our 30 power stations are operated remotely by a team of highly-skilled generation controllers based in Hobart, working in close collaboration with our teams on the ground.”
Clark said the new system enhances Hydro Tasmania’s ability to manage real-time conditions and market dynamics.
“They are dealing with minute-by-minute changes in demand, weather and the market, dynamically managing the system to deliver maximum value for Tasmanians,” he said. “The GMS will allow us to be more responsive. This is especially important as we transition to a new energy future in which hydropower will play a critical role filling the gaps in wind and solar generation.”
He said the upgrade had been several years in development and marks a major milestone for the business: “This marks a new era for the business, providing greater efficiency, scalability and capability across our network. The GMS will provide a resilient system that is prepared for the future of hydropower in Tasmania and ensure our hydropower system is able to deliver for Tasmanians and generations to come.”
The GMS upgrade forms part of Hydro Tasmania’s 10-year, $1.6 billion program to modernise its hydropower network.
