Storms are known to cause a large volume of faults on electricity networks, many of which affect the high voltage (HV) overhead line (OHL) network. This results in area specific outages, which potentially leaves customers vulnerable and without electricity until a mobile generator can be connected, or repairs are carried out and the network is made safe. Due to the nature of overhead faults, currently only a select set of personnel (linesmen) are qualified to restore the network. Typically large parts of the network is affected under a storm situation, leaving the customers without electricity until trained resource becomes available to attend their area.
Objectives
- The procedure, risk assessment, and user guidance will be created prior to BAU transition
- Bespoke training course and video will be developed to ensure the repairs can be done during a storm
- All of the trial equipment will be procured in time to allow training
- Repair process will be optimised throughout the trial
- Trial delivery strategy will be set up
o Optimal storage location for equipment
o Maintenance and inspection of equipment
o Communication between Dispatch, Control, Emergency Planning and new repair teams
- Repair process effectiveness will be evaluated and considered for BAU
Learnings
Outcomes
The project has successfully met all of the project objectives and success criteria by the original planned completion date.
One key benefit of the project was to reduce the risk of networks being overwhelmed by once in a generation storms that have significant impact on the OHL network, the procedure will allow a large number of emergency repairs to be completed by large portions of the operational team to get customers back on supply and reduce the reputational damage of DNOs. Reputational damage is not quantified within E6, and this benefit cannot be observed until storm joint is used during an actual severe storm.
The project believes the technology readiness level of Storm Joint has increased from TRL 5 to TRL 8
Lessons Learnt
The project has created and trialed a training course to teach operational staff how to install the temporary Storm Joint, the training course and associated training video is available on request. The training course requires operational staff to spend four to five days training, the business found it was difficult to justify spending this amount of time on training for a procedure that may not be used every year. Future work could be completed to identify ways to reduce training requirements and therefore make the procedure more accessible to a larger number of operational staff.
To be able to replicate this solution, a DNO would need to order the equipment, develop an installation procedure, and have the equipment approved to be installed on their network. Storm Joint was developed in collaboration with the supplier and is designed to work on all DNO networks with OHLs. Future work could be completed to have the equipment stocked at UK Power Networks stores.
UK Power Networks have identified a list of equipment that can be used to install the Storm Joint from the ground using a three person team (one SAP and two fitters). The list of equipment and installation procedure developed by UK Power Networks can be provided on request.