Lightning Assessment for the Decommissioning of Victoria's Hazelwood Coal Power Station

Overview

C5 was awarded the role of lightning design engineers for the decommissioning of the Hazelwood Coal Power Station in Victoria.

The Problem

During the demolition phase, it was identified the need to undertake a direct lightning assessment of the Power Station turbine and generator halls adjacent to the fume stacks and decommissioned switchyard and evaluate the overall risk with respect to lightning.

The purpose of the direct lightning assessment was to validate if additional lightning protection system (LPS) was required once the 137 m tall concrete fume stacks had been demolished.

The Solution

C5 used our extensive knowledge in the field of lightning protection assessment to provide our client with a practical and compliant solution which included services such as:

• End to End project management between all stakeholders – civil contractor, consultants, electrical contractor and asset owner
• Detailed assessment of LPS in accordance with AS 1768
• Determination of probabilistic protection level
• Determination of demolition requirements to maintain existing site’s safety with respect to lightning as low as reasonably practicable