2.8 Utility

2.8.1 Powerlines

2.8.1.1 Example 1

Location of Example: 148°54'21" East, 34°51'41" South
Distinctive Characteristics:
  • Wire or wires supported on poles or pylons, used for the transmission of high voltage electricity.
  • Evidence of multiple poles or pilons a regular distance apart would suggest power lines run between them. Powerlines terminate at a substation or powerstation.
Regional Considerations:
Figure: 2.8.1.1 Representation of a Powerlines terminating at a Substation.

Figure: 2.8.1.1a Orthophotography 50cm RGB=123 Figure: 2.8.1.1b SPOT Pseudo-natural 2.5m Figure: 2.8.1.1c Oblique Photography Powerlines


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2.8.2 Substation

2.8.2.1 Example 1

Location of Example: 148°54'21" East, 34°51'41" South
Distinctive Characteristics:
  • Wire or wires supported on poles or pylons, used for the transmission of high voltage electricity.
  • Evidence of multiple poles or pilons a regular distance apart would suggest power lines run between them. Powerlines terminate at a substation or powerstation.
Regional Considerations:
Figure: 2.8.2.1 Representation of a Powerlines terminating at a Substation.

Figure: 2.8.2.1a Orthophotography 50cm RGB=123 Figure: 2.8.2.1b SPOT Pseudo-natural 2.5m


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2.8.2.2 Example 2

Location of Example: 149°42'20" East, 34°47'06" South
Distinctive Characteristics:
  • Small substations are normally clearly fenced areas with a concrete or other artifical surface to minimise the chance of fire.
  • Evidence of powerlines entering and exiting substation.
  • Rows of voltage converters may also be seen.
Regional Considerations:
Figure: 2.8.2.2 Representation of a Small Substation.

Figure: 2.8.2.2a Orthophotography 60cm RGB=123 Figure: 2.8.2.2b SPOT Pseudo-natural 2.5m Figure: 2.8.2.2c Oblique Photography Small Substation


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2.8.2.3 Example 3

Location of Example: 149°12'57" East, 35°20'22" South
Distinctive Characteristics:
  • Large substations are normally clearly fenced areas with a concrete or other artifical surface to minimise the chance of fire. Support Buildings, communication and security devices may be in evidence
  • Evidence of powerlines entering and exiting substation.
  • Rows of voltage converters may also be seen.
Regional Considerations:
Figure: 2.8.2.3 Representation of a Medium Large Substation.

Figure: 2.8.2.3a Orthophotography 60cm RGB=123 Figure: 2.8.2.3b SPOT Pseudo-natural 2.5m Figure: 2.8.2.3c Oblique Photography Medium Substation


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2.8.3 Power Station Or Power Generation Facility

2.8.3.1 Example 1

Location of Example: 148°17'32" East, 35°36'35" South
Distinctive Characteristics:
  • Hydro Eletric power stations generate electricity through the capture of energy from the force of falling or flowing water.
  • Generally, water flows is directed into inlet pipes which then drives a water turbine. The pipelines may be outside or incorporated into a dam wall design.
  • The water turbine or generator may be housed within, directly below or adjacent to the dam wall
Regional Considerations:
    Associated with large water reservoirs and high annual rainfall areas.
Figure: 2.8.3.1 Representation of a Hydro Electric Power Station and Associated Power Generation Facility.

Figure: 2.8.3.1a Orthophotography 50cm RGB=123 Figure: 2.8.3.1b SPOT Pseudo-natural 2.5m RGB=123


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2.8.3.2 Example 2

Location of Example: 150°05'04" East, 33°24'14" South
Distinctive Characteristics:
  • Coal Power Generation Facilities produce electricity from the combustion of coal.
  • They consist of a distinctive big cooling chimney and several more narrow tall chimneys. Coal Power Generation Facilities will have surrounding waterbodies for cooling and the collection of tailings.
  • Associated infrastructure may include coal stockpiles, conveyors, roads, railways and a substation for the conversion and distribution of power generated.
Regional Considerations:
    Coal Power Generation Facilities are usually found on the outskirts of small communities, often with mines nearby.
Figure: 2.8.3.2 Representation of a Coal Fired Power Station and Associated Power Generation Facility.

Figure: 2.8.3.2a Orthophotography 50cm RGB=123 Figure: 2.8.3.2b SPOT Pseudo-natural 2.5m RGB=123 Figure: 2.8.3.2c SPOT Infrared 2.5m


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2.8.3.3 Example 3

Location of Example: 149°12'27" East, 33°37'17" South
Distinctive Characteristics:
  • Wind Power Generation Facilities or Wind Farms produce electricity from the use of one or multiple wind turbine generators.
  • The distinctive wind turbine generators are generally tall solid column structures with rotating blades which produces energy from the wind.
  • Wind turbines will be separated by a horizontal distance (varying from 100m to more than 2km) to allow for uninteruppted wind flow. Maintenance tracks appear between generators.
  • Land used for wind turbines will generally be dual purpose allowing for sheep, cattle or crop production.
  • Shadows of the turbines can sometimes be a clearer identifier of the turbines than the turbines themselves dependant on the angle of the imagery being viewed.
Regional Considerations:
    Wind Power Generation Facilities are usually found where strong winds are prevalent.
  • Coastal land, ridges and large open agricultural or pastoral land are the most likely locations for wind farms.
  • They normally are not near large populated centres due to noise concerns.
Figure: 2.8.3.3 Representation of a Wind Farm Power Generation Facility.

Figure: 2.8.3.3a Orthophotography 50cm RGB=123 Figure: 2.8.3.3b SPOT Pseudo-natural 2.5m RGB=123 Figure: 2.8.3.3c Oblique Photography Wind Farm


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2.8.3.4 Example 4

Location of Example: 116°15'38" East, 33°20'35" South
Distinctive Characteristics:
  • Coal Power Generation Facilities produce electricity from the combustion of coal.
  • They consist of a distinctive big cooling chimney and several more narrow tall chimneys. Coal Power Generation Facilities will have surrounding waterbodies for cooling and the collection of tailings.
  • Associated infrastructure may include coal stockpiles, conveyors, roads, railways and a substation for the conversion and distribution of power generated.
Regional Considerations:
    Coal Power Generation Facilities are usually found on the outskirts of small communities, often with mines nearby.
Figure: 2.8.3.4 Representation of a Coal Fired Power Station and Associated Power Generation Facility.

Figure: 2.8.3.4a Orthophotography 50cm RGB=123 Figure: 2.8.3.4b SPOT Pseudo-natural 2.5m RGB=123 Figure: 2.4.6.4c Oblique Photography Power Station

Topic contact: mapfeedback@ga.gov.au Last updated: January 20, 2012