Electromagnetic Interference

Overview

An Electromagnetic Interference (EMI) Assessment has been prepared by DNV GL – Energy Renewables Advisory. DNV GL has assessed the potential EMI impacts for the Project in accordance with the Victorian Planning Guidelines and Draft National Wind Farm Development Guidelines. The methodology used in the study has been informed by these guidelines and various standard industry practices.

Methodology

The methodology used for the EMI assessment included:

A review of the radio communication licenses held by the Australian Communications and MediaAuthority (ACMA) within 75 kilometres of the wind farm site related to the following:
- Fixed point-to-point links
- Fixed point-to-multipoint links; and
- Radio communications assets belonging to emergency services
A review of the trigonometrical stations within 75 kilometres of the wind farm site;
A review of the aviation and meteorological radar within 250 nautical miles (463 kilometres) of the wind farm site;
A review of the following communications:
- Broadcast television
- Citizens band (CB) radio and mobile phones
- Wireless internet
- Broadcast radio
- Satellite television and internet
Liaison with organisations that have or may have communication equipment in the region (telecommunication companies, media companies, emergency services and government agencies); and
Consideration of likely impacts in the context of the Draft National Guidelines as these are considered to meet, if not exceed, the recommendations of the Victorian Guidelines.

Quick Links

Legislation and Policy
Legislation and Policy
Impacts and Mitigation
Impacts and Mitigation

Questions?

Contact our team if you have any questions about the project.

Legislation and Policy

The relevant legislation and government associated with EMI considered in the assessment includes:

Policy and Planning Guidelines for Development of Wind Energy Facilities in Victoria (DELWP March 2019);
Draft National Wind Farm Development Guidelines (EPHC, 2010);
Latrobe, Baw Baw and South Gippsland Planning Schemes.

Impacts and Mitigations

The site is intersected by a significant number of communications signals and the project has been designed to avoid significant interference with these communications pathways. In the majority of cases the wind farm has been assessed as posing a low risk of interference to communications.

It has been identified that there is a low risk of interference associated with:

One point to point link associated with Gippsland Water operations.
Digital television broadcast signals received from nearby towers at a number of dwellings around the project.
Wireless internet signals received from the Boolarra NBN tower at several dwellings in the vicinity of the project (however NBN Co has advised that no impact is expected on any currently connected dwellings).
Point-to-multipoint links associated with the Latrobe Valley Flood Warning System.
FM radio signals from the Kids FM broadcast tower to the north of the project.
Satellite television signals from two satellites that transmit programs internationally.

In each case suitable mitigation options are available if any interference is experienced. Where mitigation measures are required to return services to pre-development quality, these will be implemented at the developers cost.

Potential impacts on other services are considered unlikely.

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