Nokia Siemens Networks

Renewed network underpins renewable energy

Renewable energy is widely seen as a vital technology in the climate change battle. Advanced communications underpins reliable power generation, one reason why Hydro Tasmania chose Nokia Siemens Networks to upgrade its network

Early 2008 saw Nokia Siemens Networks successfully completing a major upgrade of Hydro Tasmania’s communications network. The network, which is the Australian state’s second largest communications system, provides vital voice and data support for Hydro Tasmania’s renewable energy business.

Providing 50% of Australia’s electricity produced from renewable energy sources, Hydro Tasmania has a total generating capacity of 2,615 MW, mostly from hydro-electricity and a growing wind power capability.

Faced with limited bandwidth, growing obsolescence in its communications infrastructure and the need to meet the requirements for exporting electricity to Australia’s National Electricity Market (NEM), Hydro Tasmania engaged Nokia Siemens Networks in 2002 in a long-term contract to upgrade its network. The project encompassed the design, factory testing, supply, installation, commissioning and system integration of Nokia Siemens Networks own equipment for more than 100 sites in Tasmania, often built on difficult terrain. Split into three stages, the multi-million dollar project replaced the customer’s existing network with Nokia Siemens Network products: 18 Synchronous digital hierarchy (SDH) microwave radio links, fiber links, more than 140 integrated multiplexers and a supervisory control and monitoring system. Training services were supplied to Hydro Tasmania’s locally based technical staff to equip them to adequately handle the entire delivered Nokia Siemens Networks equipment over its expected long service life.

Continuity a key to success

An important part of the project’s successful completion on-time and to budget was Nokia Siemens Networks’ project management capabilities. With the network providing critical control communications, accurate project management was essential to avoid power outages when transferring from the old system to the new.

With one project manager and much of the engineering staff working across all three project stages, an excellent working relationship was built up between Nokia Siemens Networks and Hydro Tasmania’s own Telecommunications Services Group, with the engineering and technical skills of both organizations combining to achieve the best possible outcome for the electricity customers of Tasmania. Nokia Siemens Networks will support the network equipment for a total for 15 years, meeting a key criterion for Hydro Tasmania for a reliable partner.

“Nokia Siemens Networks' delivery has met the expectations of Hydro Tasmania and to their credit they have always delivered what they said they would. The project is significant, involving all turnkey project activities and systems integration for which they have delivered on all aspects. The Nokia Siemens Networks and Hydro Tasmania relationship is strong and they have always displayed an interest in our business and reflected this in their work priorities,” Colin Squires, Telecoms Engineering, Manager, Hydro Tasmania.

The project is a credit to the staff of both Nokia Siemens Networks and Hydro Tasmania’s telecommunications team and demonstrates the close relationship and team effort displayed
in carrying the project through to a very successful completion.