| Company |
BHP |
| Location |
Olympic Dam, South Australia |
| Timeline |
2018 |
| Project Overview |
The BHP Olympic Dam project involved Insulect providing a comprehensive power quality monitoring solution for BHP's mining operations in South Australia. As a large mining company, BHP required a significant amount of power to run its machinery and equipment, which was supplied through high-voltage transmission lines connected to the Electranet network. |
| Products |
- IDM+
- Ongoing monthly monitoring and reporting
|
Overview
At BHP’s Olympic Dam mine in South Australia, power is the lifeblood of operations. From heavy machinery to processing equipment, the site depends on a stable and reliable electricity supply delivered via high‑voltage transmission lines connected to the Electranet network.
With this level of power use comes responsibility. BHP must meet strict power quality standards set by Electranet to ensure its operations don’t negatively impact the wider transmission network. To help meet these requirements, BHP partnered with Insulect to deliver a reliable, compliant, and easy‑to‑manage power quality monitoring solution.
Challenge
The biggest challenge wasn’t just installing monitoring equipment—it was understanding and complying with Electranet’s extensive power quality standards. These requirements were detailed in a highly technical, 400‑page document that defined exactly how power quality needed to be measured, recorded, and reported.
BHP needed confidence that whatever system was installed would meet every requirement, work reliably in a demanding mining environment, and remain compliant over the long term. They also needed a partner who could manage the complexity, rather than adding to it.
Solutions
Insulect took charge from start to finish, delivering a true turnkey solution.
The team specified and installed IDM Plus power quality monitoring devices at the key connection points between BHP’s operations and the transmission grid. These devices continuously monitor critical power quality parameters, such as harmonics—to ensure compliance with Electranet’s standards.
Beyond the devices themselves, Insulect designed and installed custom enclosures to protect the equipment in the harsh conditions of a remote mining site. Working closely with both BHP and Electranet, the system was carefully configured and commissioned to ensure it met all technical and compliance requirements from day one.
Recognising that compliance isn’t a “set and forget” task, Insulect also established an ongoing service agreement. Each month, Insulect remotely accesses the system to perform health checks, analyse data, and produce clear compliance reports. This proactive approach ensures any potential issues are identified early—well before they become serious problems.
Benefits
By delivering a complete turnkey solution, Insulect removed the complexity of power quality monitoring from BHP’s operations. Everything from system design and installation through to configuration and commissioning was handled by Insulect, allowing BHP’s team to stay focused on their core mining activities. The continuous monitoring provided BHP with confidence that it was meeting Electranet’s strict power quality requirements at all times, reducing compliance risk.
Through the ongoing service agreement, Insulect’s monthly remote health checks and reporting ensured potential issues were identified early, before they could escalate into larger problems. This proactive support model helped protect critical equipment, maintain grid compliance, and gave BHP long‑term peace of mind knowing their power quality was being expertly managed.
Results
The Olympic Dam site now operates with a robust, compliant power quality monitoring system that gives BHP full visibility over its electrical performance. The partnership between BHP, Insulect, and Electranet ensured a smooth commissioning process and a solution that met everyone’s expectations.
Through technical expertise, collaboration, and proactive service, Insulect turned a complex compliance challenge into a straightforward, well‑managed solution, helping BHP maintain power quality compliance today and into the future.