ETSA engages Geomatic Technologies for State-wide Rural Asset Survey
10 March 2006
Adelaide, Australia – Following a successful pilot in 2005, ETSA Utilities has engaged Geomatic Technologies to extend the asset survey across the entire state of South Australia.
Over the past 18 months ETSA Utilities commissioned a number of new IT systems requiring accurate infrastructure data. Regulatory requirements introduced in the recent past also demanded new reporting that could not be fulfilled from existing knowledge sources. Recognising the synergies shared by these two requirements ETSA engaged Geomatic Technologies (GT) to conduct a pilot data capture survey of rural electricity assets. This four month pilot was successfully completed in 2005 and GT was subsequently awarded the task of extending the work already done to encompass a state-wide audit of rural electricity assets.
Due for completion in late 2006, the survey will deliver accurate, field verified utility infrastructure data throughout ETSA’s rural network comprising over 700 feeders stretching from Naracoorte in the state’s south east across to Ceduna at the edge of the Great Australian Bight. Data describing power poles and their associated switch, transformer, and customer service connections will be delivered ready for integration into the ETSA suite of I.T. and spatial business applications.
GT has mobilised a team of surveyors equipped with 4WDrive vehicles, GPS Satellite positioning, laser range instruments and in-car computer equipment to complete the project. GT’s specialised mapping and data collection software has been deployed in each vehicle and at roving site offices established throughout the state to support the field data capture teams.
Field teams will visit all above ground electrical assets located within rural towns as well as all rural customer connection points. GT has implemented a strict environmental awareness policy including minimising vehicle movement in areas of high conservation value and the regular wash down of vehicles to reduce the risk of spreading diseases and weeds through sensitive areas such as grape growing districts.
The accuracy level of data captured by GT has already been verified by ETSA field staff and endorses GT’s Quality Assurance Certification to AS/NZS ISO 9001:2000 and its reputation for excellence within the surveying and data capture industries.
About ETSA
ETSA Utilities is the electricity distribution business for the state of South Australia. The prime role of ETSA Utilities is the safe and reliable delivery of electricity from high voltage transmission network connection points to residential and business customers throughout most of the state.
Serving 758,000 customers, ETSA Utilities supports a network comprising 393 zone substations and 80,103 kilometres of powerlines valued at approximately $2.5 billion. Employing more than 1300 people, ETSA Utilities is the fifth largest distributor in the Australian National Electricity Market.
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