In 2021 the Callide C Power Station experienced a unit failure that tore the turbine-generator apart, resulted in hundreds of thousands of premises losing power, and cost hundreds of millions to repair. We look at how design errors and ultimately a lack of information led to the incident escalating out of control, when it could have been recovered.
With John Chidgey.
Formal Reports:
Callide Unit C4 Turbine Generator Failure 25 May 2021 (PDF)Animation of the Callide Unit C4 incidentTrip of multiple generators and lines in Central Queensland and associated under-frequency load shedding on 25 May 2021 (PDF)News Releases and Articles:
CS Energy releases report into 2021 Callide C4 Unit FailureCS Energy releases technical report into 2021 Unit C4 incidentDr Sean Brady to lead independent investigation into Callide incidentBattery failure led to power plant mass outageBoth units trip at Callide C on Wednesday 13th January 2021Statement regarding IG PowerIntergen voluntary administrationReport says Callide C4 incident “could not have been anticipated”Callide explosion blamed on battery charger failureCallide Power Trading taken to court over system failureCS Energy says insurers won’t agree to $300m claim over power stationJim Soorley stands down from CS EnergyCS Energy Post about Incident on LinkedInSuper-Critical Boiler Technology (PDF)Supercritical FluidsSupercritical Coal PlantsElectrical Engineering References:
Hydrogen-cooled Turbo GeneratorReverse Active Power Protection (ANSI 32P)Alleged failure to obtain regulatory approval to operate a generating systemNotice of Filing: Australian Energy Regulator v Callide Power Trading Pty Ltd (PDF)Coal generator to face court over blackouts caused by catastrophic explosionCallide Power StationStanwell Power StationTarong Power StationCallide Power StationCS Energy: Water ManagementNOTE: Minor Corrections in audio updated: 31st March, 2024
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Episode Gold Producers:
'r' and Steven Bridle.
Episode Silver Producers:
Mitch Biegler, Shane O'Neill, Lesley, Jared Roman, Joel Maher, Katharina Will, Chad Juehring, Kellen Frodelius-Fujimoto and Ian Gallagher.