As your network manager, Western Power is committed to creative solutions that will ensure safe and reliable power supplies to your community today into the future.
There are many interconnecting pieces of infrastructure that make up the South West Interconnected System (SWIS). These pieces of infrastructure are used to take power from generators, such as coal, wind or hydro power stations, and deliver it through the poles and wires to your homes and businesses. Three of the most common types of infrastructure that Western Power uses to deliver power to your community include; substations, transmission lines and distribution lines.
Energy created by power generators is delivered to your community by a network of high voltage transmission lines that connect through to a local substation.
The power leaving a generator site may be 330,000 volts whilst the power being delivered into your home is either 240 volts or 415 volts, depending on your location. Western Power’s substations transform power down for local communities. They are built near to the community that they are providing for - and the more our communities continue to develop and grow, the more substations will be required.
The demand for electricity is rapidly increasing in WA driven by the connection of new businesses and homes, and by the rapid rise in air conditioner use. Find out what Western Power is doing to manage the demand.
Western Power is helping to create a sustainable network by developing a smart grid. A smart grid is a network that allows energy to flow in two directions. The SWIS was designed for electricity to flow one way, from the power station to your home. A smart grid will enable homes and businesses to supply energy back into the network.
We are also trialling new technologies such as smart meters, allowing homes and businesses to actively manage their energy usage.
These and other innovations are the future of electricity networks in WA.
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Page update on 3 November 2009
