Gold Coast ENERGEX using high-tech Australian first technology

In an Australian first, ENERGEX crews on the Gold Coast are now using high-tech satellite-linked laptop computer systems in maintenance vehicles to help them restore power faster after wild weather, Mines and Energy Minister Geoff Wilson said today.

The Minister said Field Force Automation (FFA) technology, using the latest release software, would help ENERGEX crews locate faults in the network faster, through satellite navigation, tracking and despatch.

"This computer system also gives field crews unprecedented access to electronic information about outages and customer premises from their vehicle," Mr Wilson said.

"Fewer phone calls, less travel time and paperwork will help boost efficiency during storms and other peak periods.

Minister Wilson said the system was the first step in the cutting edge $22 million FFA system which will help in every step of the power maintenance and restoration process.

“The moment after ENERGEX receives notice of a power outage, a case will be generated at our call centre, evaluated, and immediately dispatched to rapid response crews’ in-vehicle computers,” he said.

“The system will help to identify the closest crew to the job and provide them with the quickest route to the outage and all the details.

“Once on-site, crews inform the control centre electronically, about how long they anticipate the repair will take, in turn giving ENERGEX customers a more accurate account of the problem and how quickly power can be restored.”

FFA would not only help ENERGEX crews during storm responses, Mr Wilson said it would also be used to streamline day-to-day operations.

"It will provide more information directly to field crews performing a range of functions, including new connections, voltage and meter queries, and network upgrades,” he said.

"This technology will bring ENERGEX on par with leading utilities in the United States and the United Kingdom that are benefiting from the more efficient despatch of work to field crews.

The new technology will be rolled out across ENERGEX’s south east Queensland network during the year.

Media Inquiries: Minister's Office 0438 768 734 ENERGEX 0408 748 534