South Australia Bioenergy Plant – Lightning Protection Design & Assessment

Client

Bioenergy Operator

Location

South Australia

Sector

Risk Assessment, Protection Design, AS/NZS 1768

Latest Projects

Location: South Australia
Sector: Renewable Energy / Bioenergy

Project Overview

GridServe delivered a specialized Lightning Protection System (LPS) design and risk assessment for the Salisbury Bioenergy Plant. Utilizing advanced 3D electromagnetic modelling, the project identified critical protection requirements for high-profile vertical assets and explosive gas zones, ensuring the safety of personnel and infrastructure against direct lightning strikes.

Key Project Scope & Deliverables

  • 3D Shielding Analysis: Performed advanced modelling using specialized 3D software to simulate lightning attachment points and verify the effectiveness of the protection network across the entire site.
  • Asset-Specific Modelling: Developed precise 3D models for critical infrastructure, including Anaerobic Digesters, CO2 Vessels, and various process tanks (Aerobic, Holding, and Hydrolysis).
  • Risk Assessment: Completed a formal risk assessment based on regional ground flash density to determine the necessary protection levels for the facility.
  • Integrated Protection Network: Leveraged existing structures, such as the reception building, office, and auxiliary equipment, as part of the overall protection system to ensure comprehensive site coverage.
  • Hazardous Area Mitigation: Established dedicated protection zones for digestion and hydrolysis tanks to prevent ignition risks in potential biogas-rich environments.
  • Compliance Documentation: Produced a comprehensive Lightning Protection Assessment Report verifying site safety in accordance with national standards.

Key Challenges

  • Varying Asset Elevations: Coordinating a unified zone of protection for a site with significant height differentials between process tanks and specialized high-vertical vessels.
  • Hazardous Area Integration: Designing lightning protection for assets containing explosive biogas, requiring specific separation distances and coordination with hazardous area zones.
  • 3D Geometry Integration: Accurately modelling complex conical tank roofs and auxiliary equipment to ensure no “blind spots” existed in the site’s shielding design.

Technical Standards Followed

  • AS/NZS 1768: Lightning Protection.
  • AS/NZS 60079: Explosive atmospheres (Hazardous Area coordination).
  • AS 2067: Substations and high voltage installations.

 

Written by

<div class="elementor-element elementor-element-0c15f3f elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor" data-id="0c15f3f" data-element_type="widget" data-e-type="widget" data-widget_type="text-editor.default"> <p class="team-bio">Anil Chaudhary is an experienced electrical engineer and energy infrastructure professional with extensive expertise in power systems, renewable energy, and battery energy storage systems. He combines strong technical capability with strategic leadership, having worked with major Australian utilities and infrastructure organisations across the design, engineering, and delivery of critical energy and telecommunications projects.</p><p class="team-bio">Anil has held senior leadership roles including General Manager at RSS CommTel, leading major infrastructure programs and operational teams. At GridServe, he leads engineering strategy, project delivery, and client partnerships.</p><div class="team-section-label">Key expertise</div><ul class="expertise-list"><li>Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS)</li><li>Solar PV integration</li><li>Power system studies</li><li>Earthing system design</li><li>Lightning protection design</li><li>Grid compliance assessments</li><li>Engineering strategy & project delivery</li></ul> </div><h3 class="elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default">Past organisations </h3><div class="bio-bottom-list elementor-element elementor-element-d87ceed elementor-icon-list--layout-inline elementor-list-item-link-full_width elementor-widget elementor-widget-icon-list" data-id="d87ceed" data-element_type="widget" data-e-type="widget" data-widget_type="icon-list.default"> <ul class="elementor-icon-list-items elementor-inline-items"> <li class="elementor-icon-list-item elementor-inline-item"> <span class="elementor-icon-list-text">Power & Water Corporation</span> </li> <li class="elementor-icon-list-item elementor-inline-item"> <span class="elementor-icon-list-text">AusNet Services</span> </li> <li class="elementor-icon-list-item elementor-inline-item"> <span class="elementor-icon-list-text">Ausgrid</span> </li> <li class="elementor-icon-list-item elementor-inline-item"> <span class="elementor-icon-list-text">Telstra</span> </li> <li class="elementor-icon-list-item elementor-inline-item"> <span class="elementor-icon-list-text">RSS CommTel</span> </li> </ul> </div>

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