A press conference was held in Lipetskenergo at which the operation during the autumn-winter period was summed up. The event was opened by Deputy General Director of IDGC of Centre — Lipetskenergo division director Alexander Konanykhin, noting that the operation during the autumn-winter period 2011/12 in Lipetskenergo was marked as stable, with no serious failures in the grid.
“Despite the weather surprises — sudden changes in temperature and hurricanes that swept over the region in December 2011, the power engineers coped with their primary objective — ensuring electricity supply to consumers”, — added Alexander Konanykhin. A range of activities aimed at improving the reliability of power equipment contributed to it.
The main direction of preparation for the autumn-winter period was the implementation of the repair program. Its financial volume in Lipetskenergo in 2011 amounted to about 116.3 million rubles. A distinctive feature was the fact that the repair program was planned using SAP/ERP.
Based on the experience of operation during the autumn-winter period 2010/2011 in preparation for the current period of maximum loads the focus was on improving the reliability of power lines, an important part of which is the state of ROWs. For 2011 specialists of Lipetskenergo cleared 421 hectares of ROWs along overhead lines off tree and shrub seedlings, which exceeded the 2010 figures by 39%. In addition, in 2011 the power engineers started the expansion of ROWs along overhead lines to regulatory limits. This was made possible as a result of changes in the Russian legislation regarding the use of forests, initiated power companies after the “ice rain”. Lipetsk specialists expanded 368 hectares in this direction.
A major role in improving the reliability of power lines was assigned to the application of modern materials and advanced technologies. In particular, for the reconstruction of overhead lines self-supporting insulated wire; polymer insulators; wooden poles, treated with new technologies; reclosers, vacuum and gas-insulated circuit breakers were used. In the diagnostics of overhead lines sparing and non-destructive methods were applied.
An important place was given traditionally to energy supply of socially significant and category consumers (health, education, water and district heating facilities). In 2011, all Districts of Electrical Networks of Lipetskenergo were equipped with self-contained backup power sources for possible technical failures.
This year, the work is continuing on improving the operational and technological management of the power system of the branch that allow to increase the observability of power facilities, to respond more quickly to emergencies caused by weather conditions.
In order to eliminate technological failures quickly the branch has first responding mobile crews, each of them consists of at least two highly qualified specialists. At first need, they go to places with faults in the grid, so that as soon as possible to locate and remove the cause of faults. Also, the branch formed emergency repair crews with increased mobility with extra material stock and better qualifications of personnel with additional training. Their goal is rapid response to possible major technological violations and timely assistance to the energy sector anywhere in the country. Crews are equipped with communication facilities, electricity generators, all necessary materials, tools and special equipment. This year at the disposal of crews of Lipetskenergo modern specialized crew off-road vehicles on the basis of KAMAZ, new all-purpose vehicles with hydraulic lifts APT-28 and even snowmobiles arrived additionally, which allow to confidently operate during the current autumn-winter period.
A significant contribution to the stable operation during the autumn-winter period
The Lipetsk regional headquarters for the security of power supply provision plays a special role in the prevention of failures in the electricity supply to consumers at possible emergency situations. This form of interaction of IDGC of Centre and local authorities of the region and Ministry of Emergencies of Russia contributes to efficient organization of joint actions to prevent power outages and eliminate their consequences.
In April 2012 experts of IDGC of Centre — Lipetskenergo division started the routine repair for 2012. This year the maintenance campaign will be performed traditionally in several areas. Lipetskenergo will spend 128 million rubles on the overhaul of eight substations (SS) 35/110 kV, current repair elementwise of 61 SS 35/110 kV, repair of 140 package transformer substations 10/0,4 kV, replacement of 1504 power line poles and clearing of 308 hectares of ROWs along overhead lines
“The main key to the successful operation during the autumn-winter peak loads still remains the staff, their professionalism and high qualifications. Thus, in December 2011 and April 2012, when the hurricanes swept over the territory of the Lipetsk region, resulting in breaking of power lines, the electricity supply to consumers of Lipetskenergo was restored promptly thanks in part to the professional actions of the staff”, — stressed Deputy Director for Technical Issues — Chief Engineer of the branch Alexander Kornilov.
For reference:
Today IDGC of Centre — Lipetskenergo division provides centralized electricity supply to the economic complex of the region in the area of 24.1 thousand square kilometers and a population of over 1.2 million people. The branch consists of 18 Districts of Electrical Networks. The team of Lipetskenergo has more than 2,300 skilled specialists.
In the service area of IDGC of Centre — Lipetskenergo division there are over 31.45 thousand kilometers of power lines, 128,587 pieces of equipment, including 199 substations of