1、Strengthening energy networks to withstand severe wind and stormsA/Prof Matthew MasonSchool of Civil Engineering,The University of QueenslandWeather SolutionsWeather SolutionsMotivationN.auDecember 2023,SE Qld Severe thunderstorm130,000 people without power950 distribution lines downFebruary 2024,Vi
2、ctoria Severe thunderstorm1 Million people without power1,100 distribution lines impacted6 transmission towers failedABC.net.auMotivationMarch 2025,Tropical Cyclone Alfred300,000 people without power due to downed distribution lines through Qld and NSW for an eventwell below design levels11 March 20
3、25Why the problem?Transmission lines/structuresWind+directionGenerally,well engineered and managedOlder structures may be under-designed by current standardsDistribution lines/structuresWind+water+vegetation+directionMany more poles/wires than transmissionEmbedded in urban and vegetated environments
4、Project aims1.Determine the types of severe wind and storm events that cause damage to the national electricity transmission and distribution networks and build an understanding of why this damage occurs.2.Consistently analyse the present climate wind hazard that transmission and distribution networ
5、ks are exposed to.3.Analyse how key climatic variables important for assessing wind risk to electricity networks,including frequency,intensity and directionality of extreme winds may change under future climate scenarios.4.Develop a computational tool that Network Service Providers can use to assess
6、 wind(+)risk to their existing and future network under current and future climate scenarios.Project tasks1.Research plan co-designTwo stage finalisation approach:individual distribution and transmission providers then broad ENA engagement1.f f2.Catalogue historic weather-related impacts to electric