Hotline of power engineering specialists:
At the end of September 2016, in preparation to ensure reliable operation of electric grid facilities in the autumn-winter period IDGC of Centre – Smolenskenergo division held exercises to work out interaction while restoring power supply with the threat of a power supply failure at low ambient air temperatures on the territory of the Smolensk region. The event was attended by a branch of JSC "SO UES" Smolensk Transmission Control Centre, IDGC of Centre – Smolenskenergo division, a branch of PJSC "FGC UES" "Novgorod PMES", executive bodies of the Smolensk region, General Directorate of EMERCOM of Russia in the Smolensk region, the Administration and organizations of the municipal formation "Vyazemsky district".
The purpose of the exercises was to test the preparedness for prevention and liquidation of emergency situations.
According to the conditions an emergency occurred as a result of a traffic accident in the collision of a truck that lost control with a 110 kV concrete power line pole, the consequence of which was the de-energized 110 kV substations Vyazma-traction and Vyazma-1. About 70 thousand residents of the city of Vyazmy and Vyazemsky district had no electricity at an average daily air temperature of -20°C.
At the first stage of the exercises Smolenskenergo created a crisis management centre, introduced a special mode of operation and deployed temporary information centres to work with the residents of the affected district. In the process of training members of the crisis centre, having a limited amount of time, assessed the situation, promptly discussed the necessary arrangements and developed joint solutions for disaster management.
The second stage of the exercises was held on the territory of Vyazemsky district, where the participants solved practical questions: how to organize notification of local residents about the course of restoration work, where to create points of heating and rest, who, if necessary, is able to provide additional equipment, interoperability issues on restoration of power supply.
The power engineers practically worked out energizing consumers through the 35 kV grid, taking damaged lines out of service for repair, first responding and restoration work to replace damaged poles.
Together with representatives of General Directorate of EMERCOM in the Smolensk region and executive bodies they identified priority locations to connect backup power supply sources, made arrangements for their transport and connection.
During 2-4 hours they powered social facilities, primarily boilers, with an emergency circuit, as well as using mobile emergency power sources. Total time of liquidation of the emergency was 8 hours.
According to First Deputy Director-Chief Engineer of IDGC of Centre – Smolenskenergo division Nikolay Kireenko, the exercises were successful. All the planned activities were carried out promptly and in full thanks to the coordinated work of all participants of the exercises.
Conducting exercises on the subject is a prerequisite for the signing of a certificate of readiness for the autumn-winter operation period of 2016-2017.