# Power Transmission with Toby Robb

- Show: [The Amp Hour](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour)
- Published: 2023-07-31
- Length: 1h 12m
- Episode: 641
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2023-07-31-power-transmission-with-toby-robb
- Listen: https://theamphour.com/641-power-transmission-with-toby-robb/

## Summary

Toby Robb, a distribution network professional from the Illawarra region of Australia, explains the architecture of the power grid, from coal-fired generation and 500 kV transmission to the 132 kV distribution network managed by providers like Ausgrid and Endeavour Energy. He details the engineering behind zone substations, including transformer configurations, SF6 breakers, and protection schemes like differential protection and impedance-based fault location. Robb also discusses the practical realities of being a linesman, covering safety protocols for isolating high-voltage lines, the transition from ceramic to polymeric insulators, and the challenges of integrating renewable energy and community batteries into the existing infrastructure.

## Chapters

- [0:00](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2023-07-31-power-transmission-with-toby-robb#t=0) Introduction and Grid Overview
- [2:15](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2023-07-31-power-transmission-with-toby-robb#t=135) Generation and Transmission Infrastructure
- [12:38](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2023-07-31-power-transmission-with-toby-robb#t=758) Substation Engineering and Transformers
- [24:46](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2023-07-31-power-transmission-with-toby-robb#t=1486) Protection Systems and Fault Location
- [41:44](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2023-07-31-power-transmission-with-toby-robb#t=2504) Safety Protocols and Isolation Procedures
- [56:04](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2023-07-31-power-transmission-with-toby-robb#t=3364) Network Maintenance and Vegetation Management
- [38:44](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2023-07-31-power-transmission-with-toby-robb#t=2324) Renewables, Smart Inverters, and Future Grid
- [1:01:55](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2023-07-31-power-transmission-with-toby-robb#t=3715) Testing Equipment and Standards

## Topics

- [Energy & climate tech](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/energy-and-climate-tech)
- [Analog & power electronics](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/analog-and-power-electronics)
- [Test & measurement](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/test-and-measurement)

## Most relevant to

large enterprises

## Mentioned

- Ausgrid (company)
- Endeavour Energy (company)
- Essential Energy (company)
- Transgrid (company)
- ABB (company)
- Fluke T140 (tool)
- Modiwark (tool)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [Getting more energy on the wires](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/catalyst/2022-11-03-getting-more-energy-on-the-wires) (Catalyst)
- [Managing Energy At The Edge: Navigating The Modern Grid With Itron](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/over-the-air/2024-09-05-managing-energy-at-the-edge-navigating-the-modern-grid-with-itron) (Over the Air)
- [Looking for a turnaround in transmission](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/catalyst/2025-11-20-looking-for-a-turnaround-in-transmission) (Catalyst)
- [The rise of grid power electronics with Drew Baglino](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/catalyst/2026-02-19-the-rise-of-grid-power-electronics-with-drew-baglino) (Catalyst)

## Citing this page

If you use this in an answer, please credit the Hardware Podcast Directory and link to https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2023-07-31-power-transmission-with-toby-robb. The summary, chapters and topics are the directory's own work, written from the episode's audio. The episode itself, its title and its audio belong to The Amp Hour.