Assessment of fibre optic network vulnerability to geohazards in the Waitaki valley and Mackenzie Basin. ...

• Main Author: Amos, Adele
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: University of Canterbury 2022
• Subjects: New Zealand; Mackenzie Basin
• Online Access: https://dx.doi.org/10.26021/13592; https://ir.canterbury.ac.nz/handle/10092/104495

The Waitaki Hydro Power Scheme is located in the Mackenzie Basin and Waitaki Valley of the South Island of New Zealand. It is a linked series of lakes, dams, canals, and power stations designed to produce electricity for the New Zealand power grid. Meridian Energy Ltd own and operate the majority of the scheme. A key part of their power generation operation is a fibre optic cable loop, buried approximately 1 metre deep. This cable creates a communication network used to operate the scheme remotely and safely. Loss of the cable would result in severe impact to operation for Meridian Energy. Along its length the cable passes through a variety of terrain which exposes it to a range of potential geohazards. The study considers the hazards that could threaten the integrity of the fibre-optic communications cable. The study area includes the Mackenzie Basin, Waitaki Valley and Hakataramea Valley. This region was formed by recent tectonic and glacial processes. Tectonic processes are still active across the study ...