Supercharger - Taree, NSW

[cafz]

That's pretty typical there will be a 11kw switch inside the kiosk transformer.

Well not really inside the transformer - the switchgear will be inside the cabinet, next to the transformer (the latter being the bit that converts between HV and LV).

But yeah I would expect them to remove the section of 11kV (the upper 3 conductors) between the two poles, and instead loop it through the new substation via the underground conduits.

 

[Vostok]

I would expect them to remove the section of 11kV (the upper 3 conductors) between the two poles, and instead loop it through the new substation via the underground conduits.

If they did that, would they then need to anchor those two poles with cable stays to stop them leaning over? Which is a bit more groundwork with driven anchors or deep concrete plinths. I don’t know if they can provide the same support with the reduced number of conductors between the poles. It will be interesting to see.

 

[cafz]

If they did that, would they then need to anchor those two poles with cable stays to stop them leaning over?

I would imagine it's unlikely, but if thought necessary they might just put a horizontal stay between the two poles.

 

[Quickst]

Perhaps it's 11kV from one pole to transformer and 240V from transformer to the other pole.

The 11kV is then continued across the 2 poles.

 

[Borgy]

kV perhaps?

Typo yeah meant kv

 

[Borgy]

I would imagine it's unlikely, but if thought necessary they might just put a horizontal stay between the two poles.

The 11kv lines will stay as is and a break will be made at one of the 2 poles and the underground just joined onto it.

 

[Quickst]

a break will be made at one of the 2 poles

Why would a break even be necessary?

 

[Borgy]

Why would a break even be necessary?

The 11kv network is a ring so any section can be isolated while not turning everyone off for maintenance purposes. I would guess adding a switch inside the HV side of the transformer cabinet is that the transformer can be connected to feed coming in one way while isolating the feed coming from the opposite direction. Or vise versa.

 

[Quickst]

The 11kv network is a ring

Exactly, There might be manually operated HV Contactors which can be opened or closed - which is what you may be referring to but a physical break (that is to say putting the transformer in series) is not necessary

 

[cafz]

Exactly, There might be manually operated HV Contactors which can be opened or closed - which is what you may be referring to but a physical break (that is to say putting the transformer in series) is not necessary

The break is necessary to keep the feeder as a ring, not a tree.

 

[TrevRex]

Wow. So much conjecture just because I showed 2 poles with cables.

Ok I will throw my 2 cents worth into this discussion. I think it is nothing but a 2 input fault tolerant feed from each pole to the substation transformer ie "circuit breakers" mounted on 1 pole so the Superchargers can be fed from the Taree side or the Chatham side during a fault in a certain area so that fault can be isolated to that particular area. 11kV will still run between both poles.

But hey I could be wrong but evidence shown in my photo of one "new" pole on the ground maybe applicable. But the question is will any one else see that clue?

But if I am right it's nice to know us EV drivers are special enough, because we rely on those electrons to move us around, we deserve special attention to be able to charge.

I hope my local friends in the blackout area feel the same.

 

[Quickst]

Maybe someone next in Taree can check where (near which pole) the 11kV contactors are located

 

[TrevRex]

I think it is nothing but a 2 input fault tolerant feed from each pole to the substation transformer.

I probably should have explained it better but by "2 input" I mean input from 1 pole, 3 phases down to transformer, and the second input, from the other pole, also 3 phase down to transformer but I hope others understood what I meant.

 

[cafz]

I probably should have explained it better but by "2 input" I mean input from 1 pole, 3 phases down to transformer, and the second input, from the other pole, also 3 phase down to transformer but I hope others understood what I meant.

Yes (and if you do that, it would defeat the whole idea leaving the feeder connected between the poles as well, because then you can't isolate the two sections and the substation).

This isn't some special deal for Superchargers by the way, it's a pretty standard arrangement for padmount/kiosk substations.

 

[Borgy]

Wow. Started so much talk here. This site is really needed. It’s a huge gap plugged once online and it seems that is happening. How it’s happening who cares. And everyone can be thankful it’s Tesla and not anyone else as nobody is sticking in sites with more than 2 stalls.

 

[TrevRex]

I probably should have explained it better but by "2 input" I mean input from 1 pole, 3 phases down to transformer, and the second input, from the other pole, also 3 phase down to transformer but I hope others understood what I meant.

Yes (and if you do that, it would defeat the whole idea leaving the feeder connected between the poles as well, because then you can't isolate the two sections and the substation).

This isn't some special deal for Superchargers by the way, it's a pretty standard arrangement for padmount/kiosk substations.

Ok, where from your reply do I start because I think you/we are getting confused. It also appears to me you are getting, how shall I put it nicely? Hmm, "assertive" or even "angry". But I could be wrong.

Now l suggest we start with somethings we maybe able to agree to.

So we have a Supercharger substation that needs to be connected to the 3 phases, or the 3 wires on top of those poles, of the 11kV (11,000 volts) part of the grid. So far I am just trying to make it easier for as many members as possible on this forum to follow in this discussion.

Now in this case of the Tesla Superchargers in Taree I have shown photos of 2 existing poles with cables lying on the ground obviously I think waiting for for their connection.

Now here comes the confusion to this whole saga IMHO. I think you do "not" need 2 poles to send 3 simple phase wires down to a substation transformer in normal circumstances. From my experiences with substation transformers, I have one sitting on my land supplying my engineering factory, 1 pole with 3 wires are sent underground to send to the substation. Hell I even have photos taken today of the pole out the front of my factory. No special 2 pole setup just 1 pole with 3 phases or wires.

A simple join to the 3 phases it appears to me through "circuit breakers" and wires run down the conduit underground to Substation:

And here is the "padmount/kiosk substation" next to my factory:

So simple IMO, 3 phases or 3 wire feed connection to a transformer.

But the Tesla site will have I think 6 wire feed.

So tell us what you think is going on that we need a 6 wire connection to a simple substation and you already know what I think it might be.

 

[Quickst]

The break is necessary to keep the feeder as a ring,

I still don't see why a break is necessary to keep a ring network.

 

[cafz]

@TrevRex I think it will end up like this:

where everything in the dashed box is within the substation, which I believe is more or less what you were saying too?

I'm just saying this is a pretty common arrangement for padmount substations in built-up areas. All of the suburban ones around here are like that.

 

[TrevRex]

............ which I believe is more or less what you were saying too?

Thanks for the diagram/schematic.

No it's not what I meant when I wrote this previously:

Ok I will throw my 2 cents worth into this discussion. I think it is nothing but a 2 input fault tolerant feed from each pole to the substation transformer

So I hope you don't mind if I modify your diagram/schematic to show what I mean.

The separate cross-arm I mention in the modification of your diagram in the top left above shows here I think On one of the poles lying on the ground at the site in Taree.

compared to the other one with only 2 cross-arms:

But another grid fault electrically driven contactors will be needed on the other feed side as well I think for my "guesswork" to succeed.

Hope you understand what I am trying to convey?

Edit. Maybe they will put another cross-arm on the other pole?

 

[TrevRex]

Wow. Started so much talk here.

Lol. You saw some photos I placed on this forum and then started to spruik crap that lead us to this saga is all I see.