News

Kurri North Switching Station

24/09/2024

August 2024

Kurri North Switching Station (KNSS) is complete. This switching station will be handed over to Ausgrid for their energisation of the facility. KNSS connects the two generators at HPP to the broader 132 kV network. It is how the power generated from HPP makes its way into the National Electricity Market (NEM).

News

IPB to GSUT Completion

24/09/2024

July 2024

At Gas Turbine One (GT1), all three phases of the Isolated Phase Bus (IPB) have been connected from the Generator Step-Up Transformer (GSUT) to the Generator Circuit Breaker (GCB). The next step for the HPP team is to extend the connection from the GCB to GT1. This is an important milestone for HPP with the IPB on the critical path. The IPB carries the power from the Gas Turbine Generator to the GSUT, which is where the power lines start for the transmission.

News

The First Phase of Commissioning Commences

24/01/2025

December 2024

This first phase of commissioning involves pressure testing HPP’s approximately 23km network of pipe infrastructure that will deliver gas, diesel and water to the station’s generators. Commissioning is the activity which transforms a project from a construction site to an operating plant. It is all about testing the various components of the power station to ensure they are working as they should. The power station is broken up into multiple different systems and the team will work on commissioning each of these different systems over the coming months.

The HPP team is currently commissioning the fire system pumps to prove they will respond and perform as expected in the event of a fire on site. This test will also pressurise the fire ring main, which is a looped network of piping that allows water to flow in multiple directions and maintain consistent pressure even if part of the pipework is damaged or blocked.

News

Pneumatic Testing

24/01/2025

November 2024

The HPP team completed the biggest pneumatic test to date on the project. This test involves pressurising the pipes on the project with air or nitrogen to check if welds withhold the required pressure without any leaks while ensuring the system is not contaminated with water during the test. The team applied an air pressure of about 3.0 MPa (approximately 30 times the atmospheric pressure) to key parts of the piping system during this process. To put things into perspective, recreational divers – who can only dive as deep as 40m – would need to venture to a depth of about 300m to experience a similar pressure difference.

News

Commissioning of the Distributed Control System Commences

24/01/2025

December 2024

The HPP team has achieved another key milestone in the commissioning phase of the Project. The team successfully dispatched the software for the distributed control system (DCS). The DCS is best described as the ‘brain’ of the power station and is the central point of control for all the different systems.

The process known as loop-checking commenced in December 2024. Loop-checking tests whether the DCS is receiving signals from different parts of the power station and ensures that it is processing the information correctly. Information comes from various sensors around the site, checking temperatures, flows and pressures of various processes. The DCS processes this information and then decides what the power station needs to do next.

News

Overhead Stringing

24/01/2025

November 2024

The overhead stringing of high voltage cables between the 132kV switch yard and the GSUT for both units was completed. This brings us one step closer to sending electrons to the grid as the 132kV conductors are the last component to send power to Ausgrid. The next step for the team is to await the connection of the 132kV switchyard on the HPP side to Ausgrid’s switch yard, KNSS. Overall, more than 3km of cabling will be used in these works.

News

Flushing Progress

24/01/2025

November 2024

Flushing of various piping systems on site progressed significantly in November. This involved pumping diesel, oil or water through the relevant pipes until they are clear of any debris. This process is essential for the plant’s initial startup and longevity as it prevents potential damage and degradation of mechanical equipment that could occur over time if not properly addressed.

Flushing is a critical step in the project as it largely signifies the completion of piping systems from a construction perspective. The process is one of the final steps for preparing the pipes to be turned over to the commissioning team who will test the fully constructed pipes.

News

Final Alignment of GT1

24/09/2024

August 2024

Grouting and final alignment of GT1 is complete. Grouting is a six-step sequential process and ensures mechanical equipment has a smooth contact surface for levelling and alignment. The sequence is as follows: (1) generator/slip ring/turning device foundation bolts; (2) slip ring seating plate; (3) generator seating plate; (4) enclosure I-beam; (5) generator walkway; and (6) turning device seating plate.

News

Pressure Testing Commences

24/09/2024

August 2024

Pressure testing for the diesel system, demineralised water system, fire water system and lube oil system has commenced. Pressure testing aims to check that the pipework is fit for service without any leaks in flanges, pipes or welds. All tests occur in a controlled environment to ensure the safety for the testing personnel. Pressure testing is performed well above the expected design pressure of the service to ensure any issues are identified.

News

132kV Control and Protection Room

24/09/2024

August 2024

The HPP team completed a walk down for the 132kV Control and Protection Room. This room is critical for commissioning HPP as it enables back-energisation of the power station from the grid. It houses electrical protection equipment that protects the transmission lines, feeders and generator transformers from electrical faults. It also contains the metering equipment that measures electrical output from the power station for revenue purposes.

News

Control and Administration Building Completion

24/09/2024

April 2024

The Control and Administration building, which houses the central control room and distributed control system (DCS), was completed in April 2024. This building is where the future operations and maintenance team will be based. However, there will be a hive of commissioning activity for the DCS for the next few months. The DCS is the ‘brain’ of the entire power station, and all plant functions require verification and testing by the DCS using a visual representation of the facility.

News

Static Frequency Converter (SFC) Buildings

15/07/2024

June 2024

The installation of the Hunter Power Project’s SFC Buildings was a multidisciplinary team effort that required careful planning. The buildings weigh 24 tonnes each and were transported more than 1,500km on a three-day journey from Adelaide before arriving to site in August 2023. The installation took place in an area where Simultaneous Operations (SIMOPs) is vital and attention to detail is required. SIMOPs involves supervisor and trade interactivity on the ground for the coordination of effort and safety. This is a key milestone – unit 1 is on the critical path and is important to the project’s commissioning portion.