The Gordon Power Station is the largest
conventional hydroelectric
Hydroelectricity, or hydroelectric power, is electricity generated from hydropower (water power). Hydropower supplies one sixth of the world's electricity, almost 4500 TWh in 2020, which is more than all other renewable sources combined and ...
power station in
Tasmania, Australia; located in the
South West
The points of the compass are a set of horizontal, radially arrayed compass directions (or azimuths) used in navigation and cartography. A compass rose is primarily composed of four cardinal directions—north, east, south, and west—each sepa ...
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.
Technical data
The Gordon Power Station system comprises three
Francis-type turbines that have a combined generating capacity of of electricity,
covering about 13% of the electricity demand of Tasmania. The first two turbines were commissioned in 1978, before the third was commissioned a decade later in 1988.
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.
[ The annual output is estimated to be .]
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 from capacity). 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.
Gallery
File:Gordon Power Station Control Valve.jpg, Main shut off rotary ball valve for second turbine.
File:Gordon Power Station Stator and Rotor.jpg, Slip Rings for second turbine.
See also
*List of power stations in Tasmania
This is a list of active power stations in Tasmania, Australia. Candidates for this list must already be commissioned and capable of generating or more of electricity.
Gas Thermal gas
These power stations use gas combustion to power steam ...
References
External links
* Hydro Tasmania page o
the Gordon – Pedder
{{SouthWestTasmania , state=autocollapse
Energy infrastructure completed in 1978
Energy infrastructure completed in 1988
Hydroelectric power stations in Tasmania
South West Tasmania
Energy crisis, 2016
Gordon River power development scheme
1978 establishments in Australia