Tumut Hydroelectric Power Station

{{Short description|Power stations in New South Wales, Australia}} {{other uses|Tumut (disambiguation)}} {{Use Australian English|date=May 2013}}{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2022}} {{Infobox dam | name = Tumut Hydroelectric Power Stations | name_official = | image = Tumut Pond aerial.jpg | image_size = 240 | image_caption = An aerial photo of Tumut Pondage and dam, 2009. | image_alt = | coordinates = | country = Australia | location = Snowy Mountains Scheme, New South Wales | purpose = P | status = O | construction_began = | opening = 1959 | demolished = | cost = | owner = Snowy Hydro | res_name = Tumut Pond Reservoir | res_capacity_total = {{cvt|52793|ML|acre.ft}} | res_capacity_active = | res_capacity_inactive = | res_catchment = {{cvt|332|km2}} | res_surface = {{cvt|202.7|ha}} | res_elevation = | res_max_depth = | res_max_length = | res_max_width = | res_tidal_range =  | plant_name = Tumut 1 Power Station | plant_coordinates = {{coord|35|57|08.1|S|148|22|02.9|E|type:landmark_region:AU-NSW|display=inline|name=Tumut 1}} | plant_operator = Snowy Hydro | plant_commission = 1959 | plant_decommission = | plant_type = C | plant_turbines = 4 | plant_hydraulic_head = {{cvt|292.6|m|abbr=on}} | plant_capacity = {{cvt|330|MW}} | plant_annual_gen = {{cvt|847|GWh}} | website = | extra =  {{Infobox dam | embed=yes | name_official = | image = SnowyMountainsNSWTumut2PowerStation20050423.JPG | image_size = 240 | image_caption = Service entrance to the Tumut 2 Power Station | name = Tumut 2 Power Station | plant_name = Tumut 2 Power Station | plant_type = C | plant_operator = Snowy Hydro | plant_coordinates = {{coord|35|52|56.6|S|148|22|12.6|E|type:landmark_region:AU-NSW|display=inline |name=Tumut 2}} | plant_capacity = {{cvt|286.4|MW}} | plant_commission = 1962 | demolished = | extra=  {{Infobox dam | embed=yes | name = Tumut 3 Power Station | name_official = | image = Tumut3GeneratingStation.jpg | image_size = 240 | image_caption = Tumut 3 Power Station | image_alt = | coordinates = | status = | construction_began = | opening = | demolished = | cost = | owner = | operator = | res_name = Talbingo Reservoir | res_capacity_total = {{cvt|921400|ML|acre.ft}} | lower_res_name = Jounama Pondage | lower_res_capacity_total = {{cvt|43500|ML|acre.ft}} | plant_name = Tumut 3 Power Station | plant_operator = Snowy Hydro | plant_coordinates = {{coord|35|36|40|S|148|17|29|E|type:landmark_region:AU-NSW|display=inline |name=Tumut 3}} | plant_commission = 1973 | plant_type = P | plant_turbines = 6 | plant_pumpgenerators = 3 | plant_hydraulic_head = {{cvt|150.9|m}} | plant_capacity = {{cvt|1800|MW}} | plant_pumps = {{cvt|600|MW}} | plant_capacity_factor = | website = {{URL|http://www.snowyhydro.com.au/energy/hydro/pumping-stations/ |Tumut 3 Power Station at www.snowyhydro.com.au}} | extra = }}}} }} The '''Tumut Hydroelectric Power Stations''' ({{IPAc-en|ˈ|tj|uː|m|ə|t}})<ref>{{cite book|title=Macquarie Dictionary, Fourth Edition|year=2005|location=Melbourne|publisher=The Macquarie Library Pty Ltd|isbn=1-876429-14-3}}</ref> is a series of three hydroelectric power stations on the Tumut River in New South Wales, Australia, that are part of the Snowy Mountains Scheme. The Tumut stations comprises two conventional and one pumped storage power stations.

The generating assets of the three Tumut power stations are owned by Snowy Hydro Limited, a company whose shareholders include the governments of Australia. The company is also licensed to manage the water rights used by the power stations.

== Stations ==

===Tumut 1 Underground Power Station=== Located downstream of Tumut Pond Dam and {{convert|366|m}} below ground level,<ref name=GEO>{{cite web |url=http://globalenergyobservatory.org/form.php?pid=43223 |title=Tumut-1 Hydroelectric Power Station Australia|work=Global Energy Observatory |date=11 May 2012 |accessdate=6 May 2013}}</ref> '''Tumut 1 Power Station''' is situated approximately {{convert|2.25|km}} south-west from Cabramurra, under Happy Valley Road.{{efn|A lift and ventilation shaft is located adjacent to Happy Valley Road.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://arnold-elevators.blogspot.com/2016/10/acces-lift-t1-power-station.html |title=Access Lift - T1 Power Station |work={{Title case|ARNOLD ENGINEERING & LIFTS}} |date=25 October 2016 |access-date= }}</ref>}}

The conventional hydroelectric power station has four turbine generators, with a combined generating capacity of {{convert|330|MW}} of electricity; and a net generation of {{convert|847|GWh}} per annum.<ref name=ancold>{{cite web|url=http://www.ancold.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/Dams-Australia-2010-v1-for-website.xls |format=Excel (requires download)|title=Register of Large Dams in Australia|publisher=The Australian National Committee on Large Dams Incorporated|year=2010|accessdate=6 May 2013|work=Dams information|archive-date=12 December 2013|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20131212120804/http://www.ancold.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/Dams-Australia-2010-v1-for-website.xls |url-status=dead}}</ref> The power station was completed in 1959, and has {{convert|292.6|m}} rated head.<ref name=GEO />

The first 330 kV transmission lines were commissioned in New South Wales at the Tumut 1 Power Station during the 1950s. These cables were manufactured in England and linked to the underground transformers at Tumut 1, and connected with the transmission line. The lines carried power to Sydney where new sub-stations were established, to handle the upgrade from 132 kV transmission lines. This innovative plan, which faced significant scepticism initially, was considered to be at the forefront of technology which challenged designers and overseas manufacturers. Extra high voltage was in its infancy in the early 1950s. The lines were subject to a 1000 kV test on the cables prior to them going into service. These cables and the transmission system have been in service for over 50 years.<ref name="PH-innovations">{{cite web |url=http://www.powerhousemuseum.com/hsc/snowy/innovation.htm |title=Innovations |work=Snowy! The power of a nation |publisher=Powerhouse Museum |accessdate=6 May 2013}}</ref>

The original transformer at Tumut 1 weighed {{convert|81.2|t|ST}}; and each assembled generator rotor is in excess of {{convert|203|t|ST}} necessitating delivery in component pieces and assembly on site.<ref name="PH-lifting">{{cite web |url=http://www.powerhousemuseum.com/hsc/snowy/innovation.htm |title=Lifting devices |work=Snowy! The power of a nation |publisher=Powerhouse Museum |accessdate=6 May 2013}}</ref>

The station is connected to the National Electricity Market via the 330 kV Upper Tumut Switching Station, {{convert|2.75|km}} North of Cabramurra.

The Upper Tumut Works is sometimes used as a colloquial term to refer to both Tumut 1 and Tumut 2 Underground Power Stations as well as their respective dams, tunnels and the Upper Tumut Switching Station.

===Tumut 2 Underground Power Station=== '''Tumut 2 Power Station''' is situated approximately {{convert|5.91|km}} north of north-west from Cabramurra, under Goat Ridge Rd, some {{convert|244|m}} below ground level.<ref name="Geo2">{{cite web |url=http://globalenergyobservatory.org/form.php?pid=43224 |title=Tumut-2 Hydroelectric Power Station Australia |work=Global Energy Observatory |date=23 May 2012 |accessdate=13 May 2013}}</ref> <br> The conventional hydroelectric power station has four Francis turbine generators, with a combined generating capacity of {{convert|286.4|MW}} and a net generation of {{convert|787|GWh}} per annum. The power station was completed in 1962, and has {{convert|262.1|m}} rated head. Water flows through the turbines at the rate of {{convert|118.9|m3/s}}.<ref name="Geo2" />

The conventional gravity-fed hydroelectric power station is fed by water held in Tumut Two Pondage and from water discharged from Tumut 1 Power Station.

The station is connected to the National Electricity Market via the 330 kV Upper Tumut Switching Station, {{convert|2.75|km}} North of Cabramurra.

===Tumut 3 Power Station=== '''Tumut 3 Power Station''' is the first major pumped storage hydroelectric power station in Australia.<ref>{{Cite web |title=The Snowy Scheme |url=https://www.snowyhydro.com.au/generation/the-snowy-scheme/ |access-date=2022-03-02 |website=Snowy Hydro |language=en-AU}}</ref> Pump-storage schemes use off-peak energy to pump water to a reservoir on a higher level. This water then passes through turbines to generate electricity when prices are higher.<ref>{{cite web |title=The Engineering |url=http://www.snowyhydro.com.au/energy/hydro/the-engineering/ |work=Energy: Hydro |publisher=Snowy Hydro Limited|accessdate=6 May 2013}}</ref> The sole powerhouse is located above ground, below Talbingo Dam.<ref name="GEO3">{{cite web|url=http://globalenergyobservatory.org/geoid/43175 |title=Tumut-3 Pumped Storage Hydroelectric Power Plant Australia |work=Global Energy Observatory|date=11 May 2012|accessdate=8 May 2013}}</ref>

The power station is fitted with six Toshiba turbines, each equipped with Melco-manufactured generators,<ref name="GEO3" /> has a combined generating capacity of {{convert|1800|MW}} of electricity. Three of the six units can operate as pumps at a combined rate of 600 MW. The design for the power station was managed by Peter Hughes AM.<ref>{{cite journal | url=https://search.informit.org/doi/10.3316/IELAPA.201003133 | title=Obituary: Peter Wentworth Hughes 1926-2009 | journal=Water: Journal of the Australian Water Association | volume=37 | issue=1 | page=19 | last1=Davis | first1=Chris }}</ref> It was completed in 1973, upgraded in 2012 and has {{convert|150.9|m}} rated head. Water is carried in six penstocks, each {{convert|488|m}} long and {{convert|5.6|m}} in diameter,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.austehc.unimelb.edu.au/tia/800.html |title=The Snowy Mountains Scheme |work=Technology in Australia 1788-1988 |publisher=Australian Science and Technology Heritage Centre |year=2000 |accessdate=11 December 2006 }}</ref> delivering water both from and to Talbingo Reservoir. The 3 pumps draw water from Jounama Pondage at the combined rate of {{convert|297|m3/s}},<ref>{{cite web |title=Engineering fact sheet 2 |url=https://www.snowyhydro.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/SH2111_Power-Station_fact-sheet.pdf}}</ref> returning water to Talbingo Reservoir for later generation use in periods of peak-demand,<ref name=GEO3/> usually within the same month.<ref>{{cite web |title=Pumped hydro generation profile? |url=https://thundersaidenergy.com/downloads/pumped-hydro-generation-profile/ |website=Thunder Said Energy |quote=Statistically, 70% of the energy stored by Tumut-3 is re-released in the same month, and the other 30% is longer-duration}}</ref>

During 2003, Snowy Hydro commissioned six {{convert|150|kW}} micro-hydro generators on the existing cooling water systems on each of the six generating units at Tumut 3 Power Station. These GreenPower accredited units enable Snowy Hydro to save approximately {{convert|3137|t|ST}} of carbon dioxide per annum. In addition, this installation not only captures previous wasted renewable energy, but also will be substantially reducing the noise that was associated with the previous pressure reducing valves on the six generating unit's cooling systems.<ref>{{cite web |title=Australian Hydro Projects: Operating |url=http://www.energynewsbulletin.net/storyview.asp?StoryID=57857 |date=28 April 2006 |accessdate=6 May 2013|work=Energy News Bulletin |publisher=Aspermont Ltd }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Tumut 3 Micro Hydro Generators |url=http://www.snowyhydro.com.au/energy/hydro/mini-hydro-developments/mini-hydro-tumut-3-micro-hydro-generators/ |work=Energy: Mini Hydro Developments |publisher=Snowy Hydro Limited |accessdate=6 May 2013}}</ref> Between 2009 and December 2011, there was a major upgrade of Tumut 3, adding additional capacity in the range of {{convert|25|MW}} to {{convert|50|MW}} per unit.

The station is connected to the National Electricity Market via the 330 kV Lower Tumut Switching Station, 500m North West of Tumut 3 or 3.0 km south of south-west from Talbingo. A 450 MW / 1,800 megawatt-hour grid battery is proposed for the switching station.<ref>{{cite web |title=Giant four-hour battery proposed next to Australia’s biggest operating pumped hydro plant |url=https://reneweconomy.com.au/giant-four-hour-battery-proposed-next-to-australias-biggest-operating-pumped-hydro-plant/ |website=RenewEconomy |language=en-AU |date=2 June 2025}}</ref>

==See also== {{stack|{{Portal|Renewable energy|Water|Australia}}}} {{external media | float = right | image1 = [https://explore.openelectricity.org.au/facility/au/NEM/TUMUT3/?range=30d&interval=1d Tumut 3 generation and pumping statistics], by Open Electricity }} * List of power stations in New South Wales * List of dams and reservoirs in New South Wales

== Notes == {{noteslist}}

==References== {{Reflist}}

== External links == {{GeoGroup}} * {{cite web|url=http://www.snowyhydro.com.au/levelTwo.asp?pageID=244&parentID=242|title=Power Stations|publisher=Snowy Hydro}} * {{cite web|url=http://www.powerhousemuseum.com/hsc/snowy/civil.htm |title=Civil structures: Snowy Mountains Scheme|publisher=Powerhouse Museum|work=HSC technology syllabus|url-status=dead|archiveurl= https://web.archive.org/web/20160303204431/http://www.powerhousemuseum.com/hsc/snowy/civil.htm |archivedate=3 March 2016}} * {{cite web|url=http://services.eng.uts.edu.au/cempe/subjects_JGZ/eet/snowy2.pdf |title=The Snowy Mountains Scheme - Australia|work=Snowy Mountains Hydroelectric Authority|publisher=University of Technology Sydney|access-date=7 May 2013|archive-date=2 July 2010|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20100702141719/http://services.eng.uts.edu.au/cempe/subjects_JGZ/eet/snowy2.pdf |url-status=dead}}

Category:Snowy Mountains Scheme Category:Pumped-storage hydroelectric power stations in Australia Category:1959 establishments in Australia Category:1962 establishments in Australia Category:1973 establishments in Australia Category:Hydroelectric power stations in New South Wales