Supply and Distribution

Supply

The current Energy supply on Norfolk Island consists of:

  • 6 x 1.0MW diesel generators generating at 415 volts – 3 x CAT and 3 x Cummins gen-sets;
  • Diesel fuel supply on site of approximately 90,000 litres;
  • 4 x 750 KvA 415/6600 volt step-up transformers;
  • 1 x Standby generator 125 Kw supplying powerhouse essentials, hospital and airport;
  • A 400 Kw load bank for shedding excess generated power during peak periods of solar input;
  • Current switchboard of 3000 amps on either side with a switchboard limit of approximately 1.8MW;
  • A manual power station control system;
  • Manual scheduling; and
  • 1.4 MW distributed household rooftop PV owned by members of the community.

Distribution

The Islands distribution network includes:

  • A 6600-volt distribution network stepped down to 415 volts
  • 4 feeders which carry differential percentages of the island
  • load depending on whether the ring mains are open or closed – all of which is managed manually
  • 44km of high and 44km of low voltage cabling of which approximately 50% is underground.

Most current PV installations are integrated into the network with less than 10 operating as off-grid standalone installations.

Meters are mainly smart solar import/export time-of-use meters.

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