Hotline of power engineering specialists:
In order to prepare to ensure reliable operation of power grid facilities in the autumn-winter period of 2015/2016 IDGC of Centre - Tverenergo division held joint exercises to restore power supply at low temperatures. The event along with the power engineers was attended by specialists of the General Directorate of EMERCOM of Russia in the Tver region, the Ministry of Forestry of the Tver region, representatives of a branch of JSC "FGC UES" Valdai PMES, a branch of JSC "SO UES" Tver Transmission Control Centre, and the Commission on emergency management and fire safety of Kimrsky district.
According to the scenario plan, an emergency occurred at the end of December. Sharp deterioration in the weather, temperature going below zero (-15 degrees at night), strong winds and heavy precipitation in the form of freezing rain led to massive interruptions of power grid facilities. Due to the anticipated adverse weather conditions 37 thousand residents from Kimrsky, Kalyazinsky, Kashinsky, Kesovogorsky and Sonkovsky districts of the Tver region remain de-energized.
Based on these inputs, it was decided to conduct the joint exercise in two stages. The first one is the organization of work of the Crisis Management Centre of "Tverenergo" under the threat of emergency situations of natural and manmade character. With limited amount of time, members of the Crisis Management Centre evaluated the situation and discussed the necessary arrangements and efficiently developed joint solutions for disaster management.
The second phase of the exercise was held on the territory of Kimrsky district. It was there, according to the scenario, the bad weather caused the biggest impact. Having arrived and joined other members of the Crisis Management Centre, the power engineers of "Tverenergo" solved practical questions: how to organize alert of local residents about the progress of restoration work, where points of heating and meals for the public and employees of the grid organization would be set up, who, if necessary, would be able to provide additional equipment and other issues of cooperation on restoration of power supply.
After completing the joint meeting of the Crisis Management Centre, the participants of the exercise moved to the airfield of Borki, where joint forces and means were presented, which, if necessary, will be sent for the disaster management in the region. In total there were more than 40 vehicles. After exploring the rolling stock a review of the practical work on the ground began. Specialists of "Tverenergo" connected a standby power supply source for temporary power supply of socially important facilities, installed a power line pole, and replaced a faulty insulator string on a high-voltage line. Representatives of the General Directorate of EMERCOM of Russia in the Tver region launched a field camp and the staff of the Ministry of Forestry of the Tver region demonstrated the capabilities of an unmanned aircraft to conduct reconnaissance of the state of power lines. Professionalism, concerted actions in carrying out the practical work, as well as the rapid exchange of information during the exercise was highly appreciated by all the experts present.
Operational trainings are organized in the Tver branch of IDGC of Centre quarterly. Major exercises with outsourced services and organizations, as well as leaving for the territory of a particular district, are held every six months. "The power industry is the one responsible for the livelihood of consumers, that is why the most precious resource that we have available in emergency mode is the time. At the critical moment when every minute counts, it is very important to have synergy of power engineers, operators, rescuers, enforcement authorities," commented on the results of the joint exercises Mikhail Pilavov, Deputy General Director of IDGC of Centre - Tverenergo division director. "These training activities just let you get closer cooperation among the different structures and thereby significantly improve the effectiveness of all measures taken in the event of failures at power facilities."