IDGC of Volga, JSC convened the meeting to summarize the results of the last autumn-winter season and to draw up the plan of preparation for 2014-2015 autumn-winter season. “By implementing the Repair and Investment Programs in full, we ensure that the equipment of substations and power transmission lines of all voltage classes is ready for operations during autumn and winter seasons. Proper winterization measures will prevent unscheduled outages,” commented Vladimir Ryabikin, General Director of IDGC of Volga, JSC.
To ensure proper winterization of the overhead transmission lines, additional de-icing schemes were developed and implemented, to help withstand changed wind and ice loading extremes expected at certain locations. During the last autumn and winter seasons, a total of 595 ice-melting operations were completed, reflecting 76% increase as compared to 2012 - 2013. Efficiency of de-icing operations increased significantly due to application of icing sensors and reclosers used in designing de-icing schemes for overhead power transmission lines, leveraging the capabilities of the Grid Control Centers operated by the company’s branches in light of the extended scope of operational functions, and coordinated interaction with the regional dispatch control centers. In order to improve emergency response skills of the personnel, the Company held 167 emergency response drills to practice operations specific for autumn and winter seasons, 283 drills to practice implementation of scheduled temporary power interruptions, and 40 joint drills with participation of EMERCOM and bodies of executive power. By start of the autumn-winter season 2013-2014, IDGC of Volga, JSC set up 62 mobile emergency response teams for quick relocation to the affected areas and participation in the joint recovery operations.
Mobile forces allow to drastically reduce the period necessary for handling irregularities caused by weather. Through preparations for 2013-2014 autumn-winder season allowed to reduce the total amount of irregularities by 14%, and volumes of undersupplied energy – by 23%. By this time, all branches of IDGC of Volga, JSC have initiated the large-scale repair campaign which is a pre-requisite for safe and effective operations during 2014-2015 autumn and winter seasons.