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Gordon Power Station

Gordon Dam
Francis Turbine Shaft and Bearings.jpg
Shaft connecting the third turbine to the rotor. The bearing at the top supports the load of the shaft and turbine, the bottom bearing is primarily for alignment.
Gordon Power Station is located in Tasmania
Gordon Power Station
Location of the Gordon Dam in Tasmania
Country Australia
Location South West Tasmania
Coordinates 42°43′50″S 145°58′35″E / 42.73056°S 145.97639°E / -42.73056; 145.97639Coordinates: 42°43′50″S 145°58′35″E / 42.73056°S 145.97639°E / -42.73056; 145.97639
Purpose Power
Status Operational
Construction began 1974 (1974)
Opening date 1978 (1978)
Owner(s) Hydro Tasmania
Dam and spillways
Type of dam Arch dam
Impounds Gordon River
Height 140 m (459 ft)
Length 198 m (650 ft)
Width (crest) 2.75 m (9 ft)
Width (base) 17.7 m (58 ft)
Dam volume 154×10^3 m3 (5×10^6 cu ft)
Spillway type Controlled
Spillway capacity 175 m3/s (6,180 cu ft/s)
Reservoir
Creates Lake Gordon
Total capacity 12.4 km3 (3.0 cu mi)
Catchment area 1,280 km2 (494 sq mi)
Surface area 278 km2 (107 sq mi)
Power station
Name Gordon Power Station
Coordinates 42°43′48″S 145°58′12″E / 42.73000°S 145.97000°E / -42.73000; 145.97000
Operator(s) Hydro Tasmania
Commission date 1978; 1988
Type Conventional
Turbines 3 Fuji x 144 MW (193,107 hp)
Installed capacity 432 to 450 MW (579,322 to 603,460 hp)
Capacity factor 0.37
Annual generation 1,388 GWh (4,997 TJ)
Website
hydro.com.au/energy/our-power-stations/gordon-pedder

The Gordon Power Station is the largest conventional hydroelectric power station in Tasmania, Australia; located in the South West region of the state. The power station is situated on the Gordon River. Water from the Lake Gordon descends 183 metres (600 ft) underground into the power station.

The Gordon Power Station system comprises three 144-megawatt (193,000 hp) Francis-type turbines that have a combined generating capacity of 432 megawatts (579,000 hp) 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 1,388 gigawatt-hours (5,000 TJ).

See also: Gordon Dam - 2015-2016 Tasmanian energy crisis

Due to draught, the BassLink power feed failure and Tasmanian energy needs, in early 2016, the water levels in Lake Gordon were at the lowest ever recorded By January 2017 they had recovered 17 meters to -28 meters below capacity.

Main shut off butterfly valve for second turbine.

Stator and rotor for second turbine. The clear port in the foreground allows the view of bearing lubricant.


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