"Lipetskenergo" reduced the failure rate in the grid by 16% in 2016

Through the implementation of a package of measures on technical upgrading, repair and reconstruction, improvement of professional skills of operating and maintenance personnel, power engineers of IDGC of Centre – Lipetskenergo division managed to reduce the total number of interruptions in 2016 in the 0.4/6/10-35/110 kV grids by 16% compared to 2015.

As part of the planned work of the repair program, which more than 140 million rubles were spent on, they renovated 6 substations of 35-110 kV, 110 transformer substations of 6-10/0.4 kV, about 900 kilometres of power lines of different voltage classes.

Particular attention was paid to the activities of clearing and extension of ROWs, providing a reduction of technological failures caused by trees falling onto wires of overhead lines under the weight of snow and wind loads. In 2016 459.58 hectares of ROWs along power lines were cleared and 232.1 hectares were expanded from tree and shrub seedlings.

For rapid response to possible technological disturbances "Lipetskenergo" has constantly available 25 repair crews, in reserve - 92 crews. 9 mobile crews were also formed to be ready at any time to go to a fault location with electrical equipment, including neighbouring regions. To coordinate first responding and restoration operations operating there is a system of crisis management Centres in place.

"The failure rate in the grid is the main indicator used to assess the performance of "Lipetskenergo", and the branch gives special attention to it. I consider that in 2016 the branch did substantial work to control the parameters of technological failures, their analysis, constant monitoring of repeated interruptions, which eventually led to a marked reduction in the failure rate," commented Deputy Chief Engineer - Head of the production safety and industrial control office Maxim Yashin.