The Power of Wind

17 Dec 2008

With nearly 600 sites across Australia, the Broadcast Australia network faces some of the country's most extreme weather conditions. Finding ways to convert this weather into a service-supporting opportunity has been at the heart of one of our latest ventures - a wind powered site in one of Tasmania's windiest regions, Mt Owen, near Queenstown.

Situated on the west coast of Tasmania, the Mt Owen broadcast site transmits analogue TV services to local residents. The pending construction of digital TV transmissions for Mt Owen has highlighted the need to supplement the existing power supply. The current power infrastructure is insufficient to carry the extra load required for digital TV signals in simulcast with analogue services.

Assessment of different long term options has identified the use of wind power at this site as a viable option. Wind power is particularly suited to Mt Owen given that the site is at high altitude and in close proximity to the coast. It is also has the advantage of being consistent with government's climate initiatives.

By transforming this site to wind power, local residents will be able to receive digital TV services in the upcoming months. They will also know that their services are being powered in a more environmentally friendly manner.

As the site undergoes its transformation, we will be measuring the advantages, looking to see if this option is suitable for other sites, and the potential to return energy back to the power grid.

  Picture caption:
  Broadcast Australia is soon to have its first
  wind powered site