Hotline of power engineering specialists:
“Rosseti Centre Belgorodenergo” together with the fire department of the Russian Ministry of Emergencies in the Belgorod region conducted a planned emergency training aimed at preparing for the fire hazard period, testing the personnel’s ability to block the development of emergencies and effectively ensure their elimination.
According to the scenario, a voltage transformer at the 110 kV “Zapadnaya” substation was damaged as a result of a thunderstorm front. A breakdown of the insulation led to a short circuit, ejection and ignition of transformer oil. 110 kV circuit breakers were disconnected at the facility, more than 40 thousand consumers of the districts of the Left Bank and the Kharkov Hill were left without electricity.
Information about the incident in automatic mode was recorded by telemechanics systems and entered the operational information complex of the control points of the Grid Control Centre. The dispatcher using technological video surveillance remotely assessed the condition of the equipment, detected smoke, and immediately sent a field mobile crew of the Belgorodsky Distribution Zone and a fire brigade unit to the substation. Before the arrival of the fire brigade, electricians took measures to isolate the fire. The final point in the incident was put by firefighters.
“This year, because of the warm winter, we started training on fire prevention earlier than usual. Our main task is to block the development of the crisis situation, to ensure reliable power supply to consumers,” explained Alexey Bryazgunov, the deputy chief engineer for operational-technological and situational management - head of the Grid Control Centre. “Burning oil could provoke the spread of fire throughout the substation, which would lead to damage to power equipment and disconnection of consumers. In the training, conventional ignition was promptly eliminated.”
The fire hazard period begins with the onset of the warm season and ends in October. A significant growth in air temperature increases the risk of various types of fires. During fire and dispatch trainings, power engineers work out activities to extinguish fires, conduct operational talks and other organizational and technical measures that contribute to the rapid elimination of crisis situations.
