About the Exhibits
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What role will you play in Queensland’s energy future?
When you enter the CopperString Experience Centre you will choose the role you will play in Queensland’s energy future. From an Ecologist to a Linesperson, discover the important roles behind CopperString.
With six characters to choose from, you will be able to return again and again and have a different experience every time.
There are bright careers ahead with CopperString.
History of energy in Queensland
Take a walk down memory lane and learn about the history of energy in Queensland. Follow the CopperString timeline which dates back to when the original founder had a copper plated idea and a vision for the future.
Powerlink took ownership of the CopperString project in March 2023 and officially started construction in July 2024.
Connection to community and country
Did you know the CopperString project includes nine Traditional Owner groups? CopperString has always had the community at its core.
Powerlink is committed to ongoing, genuine and timely engagement. We are dedicated to delivering positive outcomes for landholders, local communities, other stakeholders and the environment where our transmission infrastructure is located.
If you’ve chosen Community Engagement Officer as your role, this is where you’d play an important part in the project.
Please take the time to appreciate and acknowledge all the communities involved in CopperString.
Critical Minerals and North West Minerals Province
CopperString will connect the North West Minerals Province (NWMP) to the National Electricity Market for the first time in Australia’s history.
The NWMP is 375,000 square kilometres of North West Queensland encompassing towns such as Mount Isa, Cloncurry, Julia Creek and Richmond. It contains one of the world’s richest deposits of critical minerals worth an estimated $500 billion. Critical minerals are the essential components for production of emerging technologies such as electric vehicles, renewable energy products, energy storage solutions and low-emission power sources. The Experience Centre showcases the different minerals found in the NWMP and where you might find them in everyday items.
Makers space and games
Get creative in our Makers Space and test what you’ve learnt in our educational games.
Create your own wind turbine or build your own transmission tower, this experience will give you something to take home with you.
Do you have the skill to beat the buzz wire? Make it a race or try your luck alone, but if you hear the buzz, you need to start again.
Get up close to the plasma balls. When you touch the plasma ball, all the electrons will go through you and to the ground. But be careful, if you have a pacemaker, this one isn’t for you.
Please read the warning message at the Plasma exhibit.
Generation. Transmission. Distribution.
Do you know how renewable energy like wind, solar and hydro is generated? Do you know how this electricity makes its way into homes and businesses?
Powerlink’s network extends 1,700kms from north of Cairns to the New South Wales border, delivering electricity to more than five million Queenslanders and 253,000 businesses. Our network also transports bulk electricity from generators which includes large-scale wind and solar farms, hydro and battery storage and traditional generators such as coal-fired power stations.
This experience will have you in a 3D model township showing how energy is generated before making its way into our homes and businesses.
Renewables and the future transformation
Did you know the heart of CopperString is Hughenden in the Flinders Shire? The Flinders Renewable Energy Zone (REZ) has the potential to be one of the largest REZs in the country.
CopperString will open this zone and unleash up to 22GW of renewable energy along this corridor. Learn about renewable energy and the important role it will play in Queensland’s energy transformation.
Helicopter Experience
Step inside the helicopter simulator as we fly along the line for a routine inspection and insulator washing.
You are the pilot and it’s time to take a trip just outside Townsville for a look at the transmission line.
Hear the splash? That’s the demineralised water flowing onto the transmission line.
Hold on tight, this experience will take you to new heights.
Powerlink is connecting Queensland to a world-class energy future.
Powerlink acknowledges the Traditional Owners and their custodianship of the lands and waters of Queensland and in particular, the lands on which we operate. We pay our respect to their Ancestors, Elders and Knowledge holders and recognise their deep history and ongoing connection to Country.