OREANDA-NEWS. The Central part of the Russian Federation was hit by heavy thunder storms toppling which caused failures in power grid complex operation. Gale force wind with a speed of over 15-22 ms, knocking down trees, lighting hitting isolations and supports were the main reason of the trouble.

Due to protection of transmission line equipment and substations from overpressure which can be caused by storms, it was possible to avoid serious limitations in power supply. Prior to the storm the crews of all RGCs checked the condition and service environment of grounding and lightning-proof facilities and their compliance with standards and requirements. 
The 110 and 35 kW (kilovolt) aerial circuits were cut off 10 times in JSC “Tverenergo”.  Vyshnevolotskie and Kimrskie power grids suffered badly. 17 repair crews were set out to handle situation.

116 transformer substations were cut off during the storm in JSC ‘Nizhnovenergo”.  Electric installations of Arzamassk, Kstovsk, Sergachsk, Balakhinsk and Southern power grids were severely damaged. JSC ‘Nizhnovenergo” specialists were informed about the storm beforehand and immediately passed on the information to all affiliates.  A state of increased alert was announced which allowed to shorten the recovery schedule. 

In Yaroslavl region over 38 6-10 kW power transmission lines were switched off, 177 10,4 kW transformer substations were cut off. Operation and maintenance personnel of JSC “Yarenergo" launched restoration operations to eliminate the damages: over 30 repairing crews and 18 production department equipment units were railed. May 24 at 18-00, the power supply cut off by the storm was finally restored.