17 August 2016
In the evening, 13 August, as a result of passing through the territory of the Tambov region of atmospheric fronts with strong gusts of wind and rain, under the onslaught of the elements, there was a break of six overhead power line (Conductors) poles of 110 kV Kotovskaya-Uvarovskaya I and II circuit, located in the service area of IDGC of Centre - Tambovenergo division.
Despite the fact that some power lines were destroyed by a hurricane of wind, power engineers of the Tambov branch of IDGC of Centre created operation of distribution networks, which provides for redistribution of power supply from the existing power centres. Consumers - and these are thousands of residential customers, industrial enterprises, socially important facilities, did not feel a power supply interruption. This indicates that the 110 kV high-voltage grid circuit, developed in due time and implemented in reality in Tambovenergo, is highly reliable and enables stable electricity supply to the region, even in a case of serious technical violations.
Thanks to the competent organization of first responding and restoration operations, staff mobility, constant availability of repair crews, equipment and of materials, they managed to eliminate the impact of technological violations as soon as possible.
As a result of diagnostics of the fault location at the 110 kV overhead line they identified and defined scope of restoration work, including not only the broken poles, and the poles that took the wind load and received various cracks and deformation. The power engineers had to organize their replacement and removal, to ensure for the future that all loose items are eliminated. Thus, it was necessary to replace seven double-circuit poles with wires eight spans to be repaired. The situation was aggravated by the fact that the torrential rains were both on the day of the failure, and subsequently on its liquidation. Tambov black soil was an additional obstacle to the organization of work to combat the emergency situation.
Tambovenergo created the crisis management centre in the aftermath of large-scale technological violations, which introduced a special operating mode for the power industry of the Tambov region.
All forces and resources were sent to the scene of the failure. Operational, line and maintenance personnel was mobilized. The crews were fully equipped with the necessary gear and means of protection.
A significant role was played by the fact that IDGC of Centre is a power grid company, which includes the resources of 11 regional branches from neighbouring regions. Additional forces, equipment and tools were mobilized to support, for example, part of the materials and equipment came from neighbouring Lipetsk.
Representatives of the branch of PJSC "FGC UES" - Upper Don PMES took the most active participation in the work of the crisis management centre. FGC UES also provided the necessary special vehicles for the first responding and restoration operations.
The operational situation was monitored all the time, information was delivered to the control centre of operators of IDGC of Centre. The work of the crews was organized around the clock, but with a shift and providing opportunities for recreation of the staff. At night, the work performance place was lit by special lighting systems with generators, supply of fuel and lubricants was provided.
The emergency situation was completely eliminated for two days.
"In the course of the work performance to eliminate the large-scale technological violations the Tambov power engineers, sparing no effort and with total dedication proved that they could perform the tasks of any complexity," comments Deputy General Director - Chief Engineer of IDGC of Centre Alexander Pilyugin. "For six hours in the pouring rain the staff was eliminating the failure in conditions close to the extreme. It is in such moments our profession manifests human solidarity and mutual assistance, ability to work for the overall result. This situation also showed that only the grid company that has sufficient material and technical resources and personnel is able to quickly mobilize them to eliminate violations without power undersupply to consumers."
