Upgrading Rowallan Power Station: A testament to teamwork and innovation

25 November 2024



In January 2023 (with years of planning), a major refurbishment at Rowallan Power Station kicked off. Around 160 Hydro Tasmania employees and contractors have been working on the upgrades, including Site Manager, Scott Tatsi. Scott holds a huge sense of pride for this refurbishment, with the project being close to the final commissioning stage. 

 

Commissioned in 1968, Rowallan Power Station is just one of eight power stations that make up the Mersey-Forth hydropower scheme. “The output of the machine is 10.5 MW, but it is an important asset as it allows water to flow from the Rowallan Dam to feed the remaining Mersey Forth scheme that generates up to 290MW." 

 

Rowallan Power Station was due for a refurbishment as part of our capital works program, with Scott and the outage team completely stripping down the machine to upgrade all the components inside. Some of these components were the original pieces of equipment from the 1960s! 

 

"Our goal is to ensure the turbine is ready for another 30+ years of efficient operation.”

 

 

This project represents more than just maintenance! It’s an extensive overhaul that involves machining the spiral case, replacing physical controls, and upgrading electrical control panels. In layman’s terms, almost every part of the power station has been refurbished as part of this ongoing project. Scott oversees this complex process with meticulous planning and coordination. "I ensure that everything is in place for a seamless upgrade,” says Scott. 

 

“Because the scope of Rowallan’s refurbishment has been so broad, we engaged an ultra-specialist workforce, including specialists in laser surveying, wire concrete cutting, ultra-high pressure concrete demolition, specialist large diameter machinists, turbine commissioners… the list goes on.”

Not only have experienced professionals worked on this outage, but apprentices have also collaborated alongside our skilled professionals, fostering the next generation of talent in the industry!

 

As Site Manager, Scott is the eyes and ears of the refurbishment across all activities: from managing logistics, keeping a watchful eye over the team’s safety, or analysing how the outage (and power station ongoing) interacts with the natural environment around them.

 

For Scott, managing the Rowallan site during this outage has been a transformative experience. "The learning and development of my own skills and abilities have grown significantly during this project."

 

"The knowledge I’ve gained here at Rowallan will be instrumental in my future endeavours.”

 

 

I love what I do because the job has great diversity, but ultimately it is the sense of accomplishment when completing a machine modernisation and returning it to service. The amount of work completed by the team is enormous, and we are very lucky to get the chance to work on assets that are seldom seen in the public eye. Having an intimate understanding of the great network of hydro turbines we have is a unique experience.”

 

“When the machine is returned to service and it’s time to close the door for the last time, I’m sure it will be an especially memorable moment.”

 

At Hydro Tasmania, it’s not just about refurbishing machines, but investing in the future of renewable energy. The Rowallan Power Station outage stands as a reminder of the incredible work being done by passionate individuals like Scott and his team, paving the way for a cleaner, more sustainable future for Tasmania!

 

Interested in a role like Scott’s? Join our team and build a rewarding career in renewable energy. Visit www.hydro.com.au/careers

 

Tags

2024
Thank you for the comment! Your comment must be approved first
Load more comments
comment-avatar


Featured

The intake tower 200 metres above Gordon Power Station

Gordon gets a new lease on life >

If life begins at 40, as the saying goes, it began this year for one of our most iconic landmarks. But clocking up four decades of dedicated power generation for Tasmania had taken a toll so this year Gordon Power Station has undergone one of its biggest maintenance operations yet.



Core blimey! >

Geotechnical investigations is the technical term for poking around in the ground to find out more about the soil, sub-surface structure and the rock layers beneath. And it’s ground breaking stuff… literally!



What can Sandra Bullock teach us about microgrids? >

The Bass Strait islands are powered by world leading renewable microgrid technology. But just how do they work? Like any good explanation, let's start with a film analogy...