(ATA  Letterhead on original.)

21 April 1995

Mr Ross Cartey
Office of the Regulator-General
1st Floor, 35 Spring Street
MELBOURNE    VIC     3000


Dear Mr Cartey,

		re: Breamlea 60 kW Windgenerator

This machine was purchased from Generation Victoria in September 
1994 by the Alternative Technology Association (ATA), an 
incorporated non-profit community group. Subsequent negotiations 
with PowerCor have resulted in a willing agreement by PowerCor for 
the windgenerator to remain connected to their GL 21 feeder (22 kV). 
The precedent for this is that the machine was previously so connected 
since its commissioning in November 1987, and its reliable 
microprocessor control provides for desynchronisation if the LV single 
phase parameters of the feeder stray outside the following limits for 
more than 500 msec.:
			*    200 to 290 volts
			*      48 to   52  Hz
Additional relevant technical information is that the generator is NOT 
of the synchronous type, but a simple induction generator whose 
torque characteristics automatically lock its speed of rotation to the 
grid frequency. This fact, in association with the microprocessor's 
safety features mean that the generator poses no threat to the system 
integrity or safety of PowerCor's maintenence staff, as it always shuts 
off automatically whenever PowerCor isolates its feeder from the 
upstream supply.

In view of the above, and the fact that the operation of such a small 
unit clearly falls outside the VPX definition of an Embedded Unit, the 
ATA requests your office to clarify the status of this machine in terms 
of existing legislation. If as we suspect, the operation of the 
windgenerator does not fall within the scope of any existing 
legislation, the ATA asks the Office of the Regulator-General to allow 
the current negotiations between the ATA and PowerCor to proceed, 
on the understanding that we keep your Office fully informed of all 
developments, and that your Office will also provide advice and any 
other relevant information concerning draft legislation relating to wind 
power. Indeed we would be happy to liase with your Office to have 
input into such draft legislation, as the nature of windpower from a 
large wind farm for example would be impossible to integrate into the 
existing VPX bidding structure.

			Yours sincerely,
                                                                                                    

Michael Gunter, Breamlea Ops. Group, ATA