Hotline of power engineering specialists:
IDGC of Centre - Voronezhenergo division in preparation for the autumn-winter peak load of 2015-16 has started to implement its repair program in 2015. The document envisages overhaul of 1,331 kilometers of overhead power lines, comprehensive repair of 8 substations of 35-110 kV and 491 transformer substations, 139 power transformers of 6-110 kV and 399 switching devices.
In particular, more than 287 km of overhead power lines of 110 kV will be renovated, including the main transmission lines: 110 kV Conductor Voronezh - Otrozhka №№49, 50 with a tap, 110 kV Conductor Novovoronezh NPP - Liski traction №№1, 2 with a tap.
These transmission lines are systemic, transit, feeding categorical consumers in the region. They are involved in the distribution of power from the Novovoronezh Nuclear Power Plant and provide power supply of a part of the regional centre and the south of the Voronezh region, respectively.
The most important direction of the repair program is clearing ROWs of power lines of 0.4-110 kV from tree and shrub undergrowth. It is the very falling branches and trees on wires, as a rule - in case of bad weather, being one of the most common causes of electrical outages. This year Voronezhenergo plans to clear about 1,276.7 hectares of ROWs along power lines.
While implementing the repair program the power engineers will actively apply modern special vehicles. Including - mulchers designed for chopping wood, stumps and brush at the roots. Mulchers are used for clearing ROWs along overhead power lines and largely help optimize the process. Thanks to their use, there is no need of removing forest residues that previously was one of the most challenging and time-consuming work for the power engineers.
"Despite the fact that the autumn-winter operation period of 2014-15 is going on, we have already started to implement measures of the repair program in 2015. We will start the main workscope in April after the autumn-winter operation period completion. Timely preparation, quality performance of the repair campaign is the key to successful completion of the autumn-winter operation period, and improvement of the quality and reliability of electricity supply," stressed Deputy General Director of IDGC of Centre - Voronezhenergo division director Ivan Kleymenov.