2 min read

Tallawarra B Power Station

Company	Energy Australia
Location	Yallah, New South Wales
Timeline	2022
Project Overview	Tallawarra B is Australia’s first peaking power station with direct emissions offset, delivering fast‑response generation to support grid reliability in New South Wales. The gas turbine can reach full load within 30 minutes, supplying up to 320 MW—enough to power around 180,000 homes—with Insulect supplying a Qualitrol IDM+ system for Class A digital fault recording, dynamic disturbance recording, power quality monitoring, and FCAS generation performance monitoring.
Products	Qualitrol IDM+ Digital Fault Recording (DFR) Dynamic Disturbance Recording (DDR) Power Quality Monitoring, Class A FCAS Generation Performance Monitoring

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Overview

Tallawarra B is Australia’s first peaking power station with direct emissions offset, designed to provide fast, flexible generation to support grid reliability in New South Wales. The gas‑fired plant can reach full output within 30 minutes, delivering up to 320 MW of power—enough to supply around 180,000 homes during periods of high demand or reduced renewable generation. To ensure reliable operation, grid compliance, and detailed system insight, Insulect supplied a Qualitrol IDM+ solution providing advanced monitoring and recording capabilities.

Challenge

As a fast‑start peaking plant, Tallawarra B operates in a highly dynamic environment, frequently responding to sudden changes in demand, renewable variability, and grid conditions. This operational profile places increased stress on electrical systems and requires precise, real‑time visibility of faults, disturbances, and power quality. EnergyAustralia needed a comprehensive monitoring solution capable of accurately capturing digital faults, dynamic disturbances, and Class A power quality data, while also supporting FCAS performance requirements and confident operational decision‑making.

Solution

Insulect supplied and supported the installation of the Qualitrol IDM+ platform, delivering a complete monitoring solution tailored to the demands of fast‑response generation. The system provides Digital Fault Recording (DFR) and Dynamic Disturbance Recording (DDR) to capture high‑resolution data during switching events and grid disturbances. Class A Power Quality Monitoring ensures standards‑compliant measurement, while FCAS Generation Performance Monitoring supports verification of the plant’s response to market and grid control signals. Integrated into the station’s electrical network, the IDM+ gives operators a clear and detailed view of system behaviour under all operating conditions.

Benefits

The IDM+ system gives EnergyAustralia full visibility of power quality, fault events, and dynamic disturbances, enabling faster analysis and more informed responses to grid events. Accurate, high‑resolution data helps protect critical assets, supports compliance with network and market requirements, and reduces the risk of undetected issues impacting plant performance. FCAS monitoring capability also supports confidence in the plant’s ancillary service performance, while long‑term data trending assists with asset management and performance optimisation.

Results

With Insulect’s monitoring solution in place, Tallawarra B operates with enhanced confidence, visibility, and control across its electrical network. The power station is well equipped to deliver fast, reliable generation exactly when the grid needs it most, supporting energy security in New South Wales while minimising emissions impact. This project highlights Insulect’s ability to support advanced, grid‑responsive generation assets with high‑performance monitoring solutions aligned to modern power system demands.