Editing Trams in Melbourne (section)

==Power supply==
[[File:Holden St tramway substation, North Fitzroy, Melbourne, 2013.JPG|thumb|A tramway substation in [[Fitzroy North]]]]
Melbourne's tram system operates on 600 volt [[Direct current|DC electricity]], provided to the overhead lines by 60 (as of March 2021) [[Traction substation|substations]] spread across the network. Electricity is supplied to these substations in either 6.6, 11, or 22 kilovolt 50 hertz AC and is then stepped down, and rectified to 600 volt DC. The overhead system is further separated into 100 sections, this is done both to maintain voltage and current across the network, and to isolate disruptions when issues relating to the electrical transmission system occur. The most common disturbances to the supply system are over height vehicles, falling tree limbs, damaged poles, and fires nearby to overhead wires.<ref name="Substation to Substation – Melbourne's tram power infrastructure">{{cite web|title=Substation to Substation – Melbourne's tram power infrastructure|url=http://www.yarratrams.com.au/media-centre/news/articles/2013/substation-to-substation-melbourne%27s-tram-power-infrastructure/|work=[[Yarra Trams]]|access-date=9 September 2013|date=27 August 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140225010130/http://www.yarratrams.com.au/media-centre/news/articles/2013/substation-to-substation-melbourne%27s-tram-power-infrastructure/|archive-date=25 February 2014|url-status=dead}}</ref>

Since 2013 Yarra Trams have been provisioning for the upgrade of substations across the network. This is due to the increased amount of current required by newer trams such as the E-class and other low-floor trams scheduled for wider deployment across the system. Additionally, they are concurrently planning for the further segmentation of the supply network; further isolating disruptions caused by disturbance to the supply system.<ref name="Substation to Substation – Melbourne's tram power infrastructure"/>

In January 2017, the state government announced tenders to power Melbourne's tram network with [[solar power]], to be supplied at [[Mildura]] with a new 75 MW solar power plant by the end of 2018.<ref name="Melbourne's trams to be solar powered">{{cite web|title=Melbourne's trams to be solar powered|url=http://www.theage.com.au/victoria/melbournes-trams-to-be-solar-powered-20170118-gtuazz.html|work=[[The Age]]|access-date=20 January 2017|date=19 January 2017|archive-date=20 January 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170120035514/http://www.theage.com.au/victoria/melbournes-trams-to-be-solar-powered-20170118-gtuazz.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="Melbourne's tram network to use solar energy by the end of 2018, Government says">{{cite web|title=Melbourne's tram network to use solar energy by the end of 2018, Government says|url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-01-19/melbourne-tram-network-to-use-solar-energy-by-end-of-2018/8194642|work=[[Australian Broadcasting Corporation]]|access-date=20 January 2017|date=19 January 2017|archive-date=19 January 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170119200549/http://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-01-19/melbourne-tram-network-to-use-solar-energy-by-end-of-2018/8194642|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="Solar to help power Melbourne's trams">{{cite web|title=Solar to help power Melbourne's trams|url=http://www.news.com.au/national/breaking-news/solar-to-help-power-melbournes-trams/news-story/e88b126e1088978ef5c9603f147d9bf5|work=[[news.com.au]]|access-date=20 January 2017|date=19 January 2017|archive-date=19 January 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170119170450/http://www.news.com.au/national/breaking-news/solar-to-help-power-melbournes-trams/news-story/e88b126e1088978ef5c9603f147d9bf5|url-status=dead}}</ref>