Gordon Power Station Explained

Gordon Dam
Image Caption:Shaft connecting the third turbine to the rotor. The bearing at the top supports the load of the shaft and turbine, the bottom bearing is primarily for alignment.
Location Map Caption:Location of the Gordon Dam in Tasmania
Coordinates:-42.7306°N 145.9764°W
Country:Australia
Location:South West Tasmania
Purpose:P
Status:O
Owner:Hydro Tasmania
Dam Type:A
Dam Crosses:Gordon River
Dam Length:1980NaN0
Dam Width Crest:2.750NaN0
Dam Width Base:17.70NaN0
Dam Volume:154e3m3
Spillway Type:Controlled
Spillway Capacity:175m3/s
Res Name:Lake Gordon
Res Capacity Total:12.41NaN1
Res Catchment:12800NaN0
Res Surface:2780NaN0
Plant Name:Gordon Power Station
Plant Operator:Hydro Tasmania
Plant Commission:1978; 1988
Plant Type:C
Plant Turbines:3 Fuji x 144MW
Plant Capacity:432to
Plant Capacity Factor:0.37
Plant Annual Gen:13880
Extra:[1]
Location Map:Australia Tasmania
Location Map Size:280
Dam Height:1400NaN0
Plant Coordinates:-42.73°N 145.97°W

The Gordon Power Station is the largest conventional hydroelectric power station in Tasmania, Australia; located in the South West region of the state. The power station is situated on Gordon River. Water from Lake Gordon descends underground past the Gordon Dam and into the power station.

The power station was opened in 1978.[2] In 2024, the station underwent a refurbishment.[2]

Technical data

The Gordon Power Station system comprises three 144MW Francis-type turbines that have a combined generating capacity of of electricity,[3] covering about 13% of the electricity demand of Tasmania.[4] The first two turbines were commissioned in 1978, before the third was commissioned a decade later in 1988.[5]

The power station is fuelled by water from Lake Gordon. Water from Lake Pedder is also drawn into Lake Gordon through the McPartlans Pass Canal.

The station output is fed from each machine by 18 kV aluminium busbars to the surface switchyard then passes through three 18/220 kV power transformers and 220 kV outdoor switchgear to TasNetworks' transmission grid. The switchyard also houses 22 kV apparatus used for power supply to the station and to the local community.[3] The annual output is estimated to be .[6]

2016 Tasmanian energy crisis

Due to drought, the BassLink power feed failure and Tasmanian energy needs, in early 2016, the water levels in Lake Gordon were at the lowest ever recorded (55 meters below capacity).[7] By January 2017 they had recovered 17 meters to 28 meters below capacity. Four years later, in June 2021, the water level had increased only 3 meters to -25 meters. Between June 2021 and June 2023, the water level decreased 4 metres to 29 meters below capacity.[8]

See also

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Register of Large Dams in Australia. Excel (requires download). Australian National Committee on Large Dams. 2010. 23 June 2015. Dams information. 12 December 2013. https://web.archive.org/web/20131212120804/http://www.ancold.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/Dams-Australia-2010-v1-for-website.xls. dead.
  2. News: Bowden . Luke . 5 August 2024 . Two of the three turbines at Tasmania's Gordon Power Station are undergoing a major refurbishment . ABC News . 5 August 2024.
  3. Web site: Gordon Power Station Fact Sheet: Technical fact sheet . Energy: Our power stations . . 18 June 2023 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20230617192133/https://www.hydro.com.au/docs/default-source/clean-energy/our-power-stations/power-station-fact-sheets/gordon-power-station-fact-sheet.pdf?sfvrsn=3acd9b28_2 . 17 June 2023 . dmy-all .
  4. Web site: the Gordon – Pedder . . 22 June 2015 .
  5. Web site: Gordron Dam: National Engineering Landmark . Engineers Australia . 22 June 2015 .
  6. Web site: Register of Large Dams in Australia. Excel (requires download). Australian National Committee on Large Dams. 2010. 23 June 2015. Dams information. 12 December 2013. https://web.archive.org/web/20131212120804/http://www.ancold.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/Dams-Australia-2010-v1-for-website.xls. dead.
  7. Web site: Tasmania's key hydroelectric source Lake Gordon at record low. . 23 March 2016.
  8. Web site: Lake levels.