check out the new remote control Jockey Wheel SmartBar rearview170 Beam Communications SatPhone Shop Topargee products
Members Login
Username 
 
Password 
    Remember Me  
Click here for the Grey Nomads website -> The Grey Nomads Forum -> "I digress ..." -> More Rain, A Boost to Victoria's Power Supply.
Post Info TOPIC: More Rain, A Boost to Victoria's Power Supply.
86GTS


Guru

Status: Offline
Posts: 765
Date:
More Rain, A Boost to Victoria's Power Supply.
Permalink  

Melbourne's largest water supply reservoir, Thomson is now 99.6% full & close to spilling for the first time for many years.

At the bottom of the dam wall was an outlet that used to release water to maintain the flow of the Thomson River.

During my time of employment at Melbourne Water my family & I were relocated to Rawson while I worked on the design & construction drawings for a power station to be connected to the outlet.

Basically the outlet water drives a turbine producing 7.4 megawatts.

Right now with so much water available that turbine would be running at full capacity.

At least there's one benefit to all this rain. smile

Screenshot 2022-10-28 at 05-19-06 Hydropower Melbourne Water.png

Power plant showing the settling pond for the water that's passed through the turbine.

Screenshot 2022-10-28 at 05-20-14 Thompson Dam hydro Power Plant.png

Ugly but functional.

Screenshot 2022-10-28 at 05-23-20 Deluge could see Victoria's giant Thomson Dam spill for the first time in decades.png



__________________

Nature, the cathedral of awe.

 
Dougwe


Chief one feather

Status: Offline
Posts: 17406
Date:
Permalink  

WOW!

Some great pics there 86. Great history and I'm sure memories of there. Struth! How strong must that wall be in middle of pic holding the water back! If that was to give way, there would be plenty of sparks flying for sure I reckon.

I love old pics like those and the history that goes with them.

Who would have thunk when I was back sitting in History Class at school and many detentions for not finishing homework or projects (many, many moons back now) I would love history now.

You didn't read that Miss Fischer disbeliefno 

 

Keep Safe out there and on the roads. 



__________________

Live Life On Your Terms

DOUG  Chief One Feather  (Losing feathers with age)

TUG.......2014 Holden LT Colorado Twin Cab Ute with Canopy

DEN....... 2014 "Chief" Arrow CV  (with some changes)

 
86GTS


Guru

Status: Offline
Posts: 765
Date:
Permalink  

Thanks for the positive reply Dougwe.
At least the power from that hydro power plant is renewable.
I began my career with the State Electricity Commission working on the design of all of those huge polluting monoliths in the Latrobe Valley.
Compared to coal fired power the one at Thomson is minuscule but at least it helps.
We might take a day trip with a picnic lunch packed, up to Thomson if it spills as expected.
Beautiful part of Victoria, might call into Walhalla along the way.smile

Screenshot 2022-10-28 at 09-04-27 Has the Thomson Dam ever been full - Google Search.png

 



-- Edited by 86GTS on Friday 28th of October 2022 09:06:41 AM

__________________

Nature, the cathedral of awe.

 
Craig1


Guru

Status: Offline
Posts: 4532
Date:
Permalink  

www.abc.net.au/news/2022-10-28/victorias-thomson-dam-spills-for-first-time-in-26-years/101589324

There she goes, thanks for pics 86er

__________________

Cheers Craig
Craig1


Guru

Status: Offline
Posts: 4532
Date:
Permalink  

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-10-28/victorias-thomson-dam-spills-for-first-time-in-26-years/101589324?utm_campaign=abc_news_web&utm_content=link&utm_medium=content_shared&utm_source=abc_news_web



__________________

Cheers Craig
Ivan 01


Guru

Status: Offline
Posts: 877
Date:
Permalink  

Great pics of the project.

It must have been disappointing to wait 26 years to see the hydro actually generate some power.

Maybe not a lot of thought went into its location or design.

__________________

Welcome to Biggs Country many may know it as Australia

This members posts may contain;

The actual truth

If offended, scroll on by.
RickJ


Senior Member

Status: Offline
Posts: 345
Date:
Permalink  

Ivan 01 wrote:

Great pics of the project.

It must have been disappointing to wait 26 years to see the hydro actually generate some power.

Maybe not a lot of thought went into its location or design.

 I think we have missed something here.

I am sure it would have worked but maybe not at full output.



__________________

Don't sell the Sun to buy the Candle
Ivan 01


Guru

Status: Offline
Posts: 877
Date:
Permalink  

RickJ wrote:
Ivan 01 wrote:

Great pics of the project.

It must have been disappointing to wait 26 years to see the hydro actually generate some power.

Maybe not a lot of thought went into its location or design.

 I think we have missed something here.

I am sure it would have worked but maybe not at full output.

 Yes Rick, I think maybe you are correct. Well at least I hope so. smile



__________________

Welcome to Biggs Country many may know it as Australia

This members posts may contain;

The actual truth

If offended, scroll on by.
86GTS


Guru

Status: Offline
Posts: 765
Date:
Permalink  

Ivan 01 wrote:
RickJ wrote:
Ivan 01 wrote:

Great pics of the project.

It must have been disappointing to wait 26 years to see the hydro actually generate some power.

Maybe not a lot of thought went into its location or design.

 I think we have missed something here.

I am sure it would have worked but maybe not at full output.

 Yes Rick, I think maybe you are correct. Well at least I hope so. smile

 The water spilling over the spillway has nothing to do with driving the power station turbine.

The turbine has been humming away putting power into the grid since it was built.

Its driven by water from an outlet pipe at the bottom of the dam wall that lets water out to maintain environmental flows to the river below the dam.

The more water that's released the more power is produced.

The rest of the water is held in storage in the reservoir.

The Thomson River eventually flows out into the Gippsland Lakes near Sale.



__________________

Nature, the cathedral of awe.

 
86GTS


Guru

Status: Offline
Posts: 765
Date:
Permalink  

Thanks for the link Craig1.
We'll definitely be heading there this week!

Screenshot 2022-10-29 at 11-14-39 One of Victoria's biggest dams has started to spill.png

Power Station bottom right adjacent to the plunge pool. Turbine would be running a maximum capacity.

Screenshot 2022-10-29 at 11-13-57 One of Victoria's biggest dams has started to spill.png



-- Edited by 86GTS on Saturday 29th of October 2022 11:24:51 AM

__________________

Nature, the cathedral of awe.

 
peter67


Guru

Status: Offline
Posts: 1513
Date:
Permalink  

That would make an ace water slide...or put a lip on the bottom of the slide and invite eddie the eagle back.

__________________

I reserve the right to arm bears :)
Ivan 01


Guru

Status: Offline
Posts: 877
Date:
Permalink  

86GTS wrote:
Ivan 01 wrote:
RickJ wrote:
Ivan 01 wrote:

Great pics of the project.

It must have been disappointing to wait 26 years to see the hydro actually generate some power.

Maybe not a lot of thought went into its location or design.

 I think we have missed something here.

I am sure it would have worked but maybe not at full output.

 Yes Rick, I think maybe you are correct. Well at least I hope so. smile

 The water spilling over the spillway has nothing to do with driving the power station turbine.

The turbine has been humming away putting power into the grid since it was built.

Its driven by water from an outlet pipe at the bottom of the dam wall that lets water out to maintain environmental flows to the river below the dam.

The more water that's released the more power is produced.

The rest of the water is held in storage in the reservoir.

The Thomson River eventually flows out into the Gippsland Lakes near Sale.

 Thank you for the explanation GTS.

I was sort of hoping I was wrong.



__________________

Welcome to Biggs Country many may know it as Australia

This members posts may contain;

The actual truth

If offended, scroll on by.
Page 1 of 1  sorted by
 
Quick Reply

Please log in to post quick replies.
Click here for the Grey Nomads website -> The Grey Nomads Forum -> "I digress ..." -> More Rain, A Boost to Victoria's Power Supply.
Tweet this page Post to Digg Post to Del.icio.us
Purchase Grey Nomad bumper stickers Read our daily column, the Nomad News The Grey Nomad's Guidebook