Hotline of power engineering specialists:
IDGC of Centre completed preparations for operation through a flood period. According to forecasters, in most regions in the service area of the company, its maximum intensity is projected for the first half of April. The longest duration of spring floods is expected in the Voronezh, Lipetsk, Tambov regions. In general, in the regions of the service area of IDGC of Centre the flood intensity is forecast at about or below historical averages.
To ensure reliable power supply to customers during this period, the company implemented a set of necessary preparatory measures to ensure trouble-free operation of power facilities, which were controlled by a specially created Central flood commission. Similar commissions for the implementation of operational control locally were established in all branches of IDGC of Centre.
According to the results of observations of the operation of the electric grid infrastructure during flood periods of the previous three years, experts of IDGC of Centre made a list of power facilities, which are at increased risk. It includes 1,549 power lines and 226 transformer substations. The greatest number of such facilities is in the Belgorod (340 power lines, 48 substations), Kostroma (199 power lines, 67 substations), Smolensk (268 power lines, 18 substations) regions. The company made a schedule of inspections of risk areas and responsible persons for their conduct are designated. A list of additional measures to ensure reliable operation of electric grid facilities during the spring flood was defined.
In advance of the flood, in order to obtain timely information about weather conditions in the field, interaction was provided between the branches of IDGC of Centre with territorial bodies of Hydrometeorology, the Russian Emergencies Ministry departments, and local authorities. In addition, the branches determined the mechanism of interaction with the Russian Emergencies Ministry departments, local authorities, as well as with branches of FGC UES, maintenance depots in terms of attracting specialized equipment and water-borne vehicles.
Crews in the branches performed inspection of transitions of overhead lines across rivers, checked protection of poles against ice drift. Availability and proper technical condition of water-borne vehicles, stationary and mobile pumps and machinery was ensured. The state of emergency reserve and its storage locations were also checked. Taking into account possible changes in the flood situation during the flood of rivers, the branches developed activities to ensure the delivery of vehicles, materials and equipment from emergency reserve to expected flood zones in sections of overhead lines. Repair sites and crews are provided with schemes of entrance to sections of overhead lines, indicating characteristics of water and other obstacles and ways to overcome them and detours.
Electrical installations, providing electricity to socially important facilities, are under special supervision. In order to eliminate potential failures, backup sources of electricity supply were prepared, and their deployment locations were defined. Special trainings for operation and maintenance personnel of all branches of the company were organized and conducted.
"Experience from previous years shows that timely implementation of organizational and technical measures ensures reliable operation of power grid facilities in the flood period. Today IDGC of Centre is taking all necessary measures to ensure in the course of its passage quality, reliable and uninterrupted power supply to consumers in all regions of the service area of the company. Currently experts of branches of IDGC of Centre are continuously monitoring the flood situation locally and, if necessary, are ready to promptly take all necessary measures to eliminate effects of possible contingencies," stresses Deputy General Director - Chief Engineer of the company Alexander Pilyugin.