Lindsey Emergency Restoration System (ERS) Structures Help Restoration After More than 20 Transmission Tower Collapse in South Australia Power Grid
In late September, 2016, a massive storm resulted in a complete power blackout in the State of South Australia resulting in the loss of electricity to over 1.5 million customers. One result of the storm was the collapse of more than 20 transmission towers. ElectraNet, the affected utility, used a number of Lindsey Emergency Restoration System (ERS) structures to bypass the damaged towers and place the transmission lines back in service. To assist ElectraNet, Powerlink Queensland and Western Power transported their Lindsey Emergency Restoration System (ERS) structures to ElectraNet for their use.
In the early 2000’s, six utilities in Australia purchased Lindsey Emergency Restoration System (ERS) structures which could be used to restore power in the event of a transmission tower collapse. These completely interchangeable ERS structures were placed at strategic locations throughout the country with two goals in mind. The first was to have structures located at each utility. The second objective was to be part of a mutual assistance program where the utilities would be able to share the ERS structures amongst themselves in case of a larger tower failure event.

About ERS: Emergency Restoration System structures are lightweight, modular transmission tower structures designed to be quickly transported to the site of a damaged transmission tower and then to be easily and quickly installed. Use of these towers permit the transmission line conductors to be quickly placed back in the air, restoring the power supply path. Once the transmission line is functioning again, the affected utility can take its time to properly repair or replace the damaged permanent tower or towers. Once the permanent tower is replaced and the transmission conductors are relocated back to the new tower, the fully reusable ERS structure can be disassembled, repacked, and placed back in storage for the next time they are needed.
For more information about the wind storm and tower collapse, see any of the following:
• Transmission Line Repairs Progressing Well
• Interim Report on Power Outage by AEMO
For more information on Lindsey ERS, contact Lindsey or visit our website.