As extreme weather events become more frequent and severe across Australia, driven by heightened rainfall patterns and climate variability, the resilience of our electricity infrastructure is more important than ever. In this expert article, Yogendra Vashishtha, Head of Future Networks at VisNet from EA Technology Australia and New Zealand, explores how the industry must adapt to these challenges to maintain a reliable and secure electricity supply.
The article featured in Energy Source & Distribution highlights the increasing vulnerability of Australia’s national grid, where around 80% of cables are overhead, to cyclones, flooding, storms, and falling debris. It explains the complex and costly nature of undergrounding power lines, and how both overhead and underground infrastructure are at risk in different ways.
Importantly, it outlines the evolving role of Low Voltage (LV) networks and how maintaining visibility and reliability at this level is vital, particularly as customers adopt rooftop solar, battery storage, and electric vehicles. With greater decentralisation and customer-driven energy use, monitoring LV networks is becoming critical.
The article appears on page 36 of the magazine. Read the full piece to learn how VisNet is helping Distribution Network Service Providers (DNSPs) navigate these turbulent times by enhancing network visibility, boosting reliability, and supporting the transition to a more resilient and future-ready energy grid.
