OREANDA-NEWS. October 12, 2012. IDGC of Centre — Kurskenergo division was presented the main proof of the readiness of the distribution grid complex for the upcoming autumn and winter period. Certificate of readiness to the Branch Director Alexander Pilyugin was handed over by Head of Technical Inspection Department of IDGC of Centre Oleg Rochagov.

During the week, experts and heads of IDGC of Centre, FGC UES, RTN, EMERCOM of the Kursk region, Utilities and Energy Committee of the Administration of the Kursk region were checking the state of power equipment of the company and the level of staff training.

Earlier certificates of readiness for the autumn-winter season were handed over to 30 Districts of Electrical Networks, high-voltage network Office, and operational and technological Service (Grid Control Centre).

Handing over the certificate, Oleg Rochagov noted the decent preparation level of the branch and congratulated Kursk power engineers with an important event, wished to match the bar set: "Each of us has a stake of responsibility in the certificate from a simple electrician and ending with the director of the branch."

"We realize the degree of responsibility that rests upon us in terms of providing a continuous supply of electricity, so much is done every year to improve the reliability of feeding centres, reducing the risks of unplanned outages, — stressed Deputy General Director of IDGC of Centre — Kurskenergo division director Alexander Pilyugin. — We hope that the exam, which the upcoming winter prepares for us, we will operate through."

In preparation for the winter season the branch performed extensive work to implement the maintenance program. 22 substations of 35-110 kV were overhauled. 254 switches of 6 (10)- 110 kV, 5 isolating switches and short-circuiting switches of 110 kV, and 177 disconnectors of 35-110 kV were repaired. In addition experts of the branch repaired 321 transformer substation of 10/0.4 kV transformer and 151 transformers of 10/0.4 kV. To improve the reliability in the entire Kursk region over 2,551 km of power lines of 0.4-110 kV repaired, 13,276 insulators, 2863 poles, and 264 kilometres of wiring were replaced. When repairing the 35-110 kV overhead lines 35.8 km of ground wire were also replaced. Over an area of ??822 hectares experts of Kurskenergo cleared ROWs along 0.4-110 kV overhead lines from trees and shrubs.

To date, emergency supply of equipment and materials of Kurskenergo is fully restocked. Staff is provided with personal protective equipment, clothing, gear and vehicles. Vehicles are available on alert.

IDGC of Centre — Lipetskenergo divison has also received a certificate of readiness for the autumn-winter period, indicating the quality of the executed by the branch measures to improve the reliability of the energy complex.

To date, the branch has performed extensive work, the results of which were estimated by the Commission to prepare for the autumn-winter period. The commission, headed by Deputy Chief Engineer for electric grid facilities of IDGC of Centre Evgeny Turapin, included representatives of SO UES "Lipetsk TCC", Upper Don enterprise of transmission grid branch of FGC UES, General Directorate of EMERCOM in the Lipetsk and Energy and Tariff Office of the Lipetsk region. In preliminary tests all structural units of the branch, which ensure the reliability of power supply, received their certificates of readiness for the upcoming autumn and winter period.

The main activities of the preparation were the implementation of maintenance and investment programs. During the first 9 months of 2012, experts of Lipetskenergo repaired 367, 22 km of overhead lines (Conductors) of 35-110 kV and 674.27 km of conductors of 6-10/0.4 kV; 7 substations of 35-110 kV and 136 transformer substations of 6-10/0.4 kV were overhauled; 286.23 hectares of ROWs along overhead lines were cleared from tree and shrub seedlings, and 164.22 hectares of ROWs along 35-110 kV power lines were expanded to the standard size.

Power engineers of IDGC of Centre paid special attention to readiness to work in emergency situations and reduce the average time of power supply restoration. In case of failures Lipetskenergo has a fully-formed emergency reserve, 175 operation and restoration crews consisting of 637 professionals, equipped with all necessary materials, tools, and 205 special vehicles. Also Lipetskenergo organized 9 mobile crews of 67 professionals, equipped with 21 special vehicles for rapid response to large-scale technological disturbances in any part of the country.

All 18 Districts of Electrical Networks (Distribution Zones) of Lipetskenergo are equipped with redundant power supply sources. At the moment there are 46 diesel generators in the branch with a total capacity of about 1 MW.

An effective solution to improve the quality of power supply is intended to be the received this year in Lipetskenergo unique mobile substation of 110 kV (25 MVA), which is a powerful field electricity supply source of next-generation, controlled by advanced software.

"Despite the fact that this year the time for completion of preparation for the autumn-winter period was reduced to six weeks, IDGC of Centre — Lipetskenergo divison coped with the major challenge to improve the reliability of the energy complex. The team of Lipetskenergo greatly facilitated to this, in which everyone is aware of his or her responsibility for the execution of the main task — to ensure a reliable power supply to customers, regardless of weather changes,"- underlined Evgeny Turapin.