Power Network Bushfire Risk Characterisation - Powerlink, Queensland

Natural Hazards Research Australia and Powerlink commissioned the FLARE Wildfire Research Group at The University of Melbourne to apply fire risk modelling methods to quantify the potential impacts to and from the Powerlink power transmission network. This research builds on the methodology developed as part of Project IGNIS, considering for the first time a Queensland case study. Outcomes from this research will help to identify high-risk locations and support decision-making processes toward bushfire risk mitigation across the Powerlink network.

Understanding the potential consequences of ignitions starting from energy network assets is a key concern for the energy industry and fire management agencies alike, especially as the climate changes and we see increases in fire occurrence, severity and frequency. Transmission networks are the high-voltage components of energy distribution systems, carrying electricity over vast distances to meet the increasing demands of an expanding society. Transmission networks are essential for ensuring a reliable power supply, however they also traverse diverse natural and human-modified landscapes, often passing through remote and fire-prone areas. As such, there is an urgent need to comprehensively assess and manage the risks associated with energy networks to safeguard lives, property, and the environment. A better understanding of future fire risk from energy networks, including where in the landscape ignition risk is highest and under what conditions the consequences will be greatest, is critical for ensuring effective and timely management for bushfire prevention.

The aim of the project was to improve the scientific underpinning for characterising risk from bushfire to the power transmission network and has been quantified as the Annualised Loss considered using two approaches:

1.  Annualised Loss from the power transmission network - characterised as the impacts which could result from an ignition on the Powerlink network, helping to identify parts of the network which could present a higher risk to human and environmental assets.
2.  Annualised Loss to the power transmission network - characterised as the likelihood of a bushfire in the landscape resulting in damage to the Powerlink power transmission network, helping to identify parts of the network that are more vulnerable to impacts from bushfires. Across both approaches, impacts have been assessed for multiple assets including houses, human lives, agriculture, environment, and infrastructure.