In late September 2016, a massive storm resulted in a complete power blackout in the State of South Australia resulting in the loss of electricity to over 1.5 million customers. The blackout occurred as a result of storm damage to electricity transmission infrastructure on Sept. 28. The cascading failure of the electricity transmission network resulted in almost the entire state losing its electricity supply.
The weather had resulted in localized power outages throughout the day, but at around 3:50 p.m. local time, almost the entire state power grid cut out. Early indications were that as the transmission lines in the Mid North failed due to damaged pylons, the automatic safety features in the network isolated the generators to protect both the generation facilities and the end consumers' equipment. Over a short period, this resulted in most of the state's distribution network being powered down as the transmission network acted to protect it.
One result of the storm was the collapse of more than 20 transmission towers. ElectraNet, the affected utility, used a number of Lindsey Emergency Restoration System (ERS) structures to bypass the damaged towers and place the transmission lines back in service.
To assist ElectraNet, Powerlink Queensland and Western Power transported their Lindsey Emergency Restoration System (ERS) structures to ElectraNet for their use. Mutual assistance in action.
