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June/July 2013 www.esb.ie/em
ESB Networks Ltd
Page 24
FACILITATING ASDIL/ AMAZON EXPANSION
AT THE START of 2012, ESB Networks were approached to facilitate ASDIL/Amazon in the expansion of their data hubs in Ireland. The distribution connections were located in Dublin's northside in Clonshaugh Industrial Estate (Newbury) and southside at Tallaght (Bancroft). At this time EirGrid had also been approached for a transmission connection in Blanchardstown Business and Technology Park (Cloghran). This station was to be built contestably - that is it was to be built by them and commissioned by ESB.
The connection of Newbury 110kV station was completed by breaking into the existing Grange-Kilmore 110kV cable. Bancroft had to be looped into the Carrickmines-Cookstown Line and Cloghran the Kildonan -Macetown 110kV Llne.
The biggest challenge for all three projects was the timelines that were required by Amazon. All three stations were required for energisation in the same period and within in a year of scoping. We successfully delivered the stations between the end of March and early April 2013.
The delivery of the stations fell into the remit of HV Contracting Project East, led by Pat O'Brien, and was achieved through hard work and collaboration between a number of areas in ESB and with external bodies.
HV North in Inchicore also played a key role in delivering the 110kV loop-in cables and overhead lines on time, sometimes in very challenging circumstances. They were also key to the provision of remote end works and final handover of the substation from ABB.
ESBI Commissioning aided ABB in the commissioning of the two distribution stations and took on the responsibility of the commissioning of Cloghran.
All three stations required new fibre optic cable connections, which were delivered on time by the ESB Communications team.
A significant amount of engagement was also required with the Northern Distribution Control Centre (NDCC) in Leopardstown and ESB Telecoms on the planning and management of network outages, coordination of substation switch-in and the provision of SCA-DA communications and fibre optic connectivity.
Tom O'Connor, Project Manager with ASDIL, formally congratulated ESB for Newbury, Bancoroft and Cloghran being energised on schedule and was highly complimentary of ESB's commitment to the project.
A key feature of the construction of the distribution substations was the partnership between ESB Networks and the turnkey electrical contractor, ABB, who completed the electrical installation of the GIS substations. Both parties have also worked very hard to ensure that the highest safety standards are met on each of the projects. The ESBI HV Projects External played a major role in the design process and engagement with both the civil contractor and ABB on day-to-day issues.
Protecting our customers - verifying polarity is correct every time!
THE ELECTRICITY NETWORK infrastructure, built and maintained by ESB Networks and bringing energy to every home in the country, is very accessible by the general public. Ensuring public, as well as staff, safety is therefore at the foremost in how our electricity network is planned designed and delivered.
What readers may be less familiar with is that, it is not just coming into direct contact with live ESB Networks equipment that poses a risk for customers. The correct connection of both our low voltage network and the final wiring arrangements of the electricity meter at the customer's premises is also critical to the safety of our customers, in their own home and in businesses.
Every home has two wires entering it. One is live at 230 volts and one is a neutral at zero volts. This neutral wire is connected to all the metalwork in the house and to earth. When the live and neutral wires are reversed, or if the neutral wire is broken (known as ‘reverse polarity'), all the metal work could become live.
Reverse polarity can occur due to an incorrect connection, when work is being carried out on the ESB low voltage connection or due to incorrect wiring within the customer's premises. This will result in customers getting shocks, fire and, at worst, a fatality.
A new procedure and training course is being developed to refresh and refocus the emphasis on carrying out polarity verification tests. The training on the new procedure is due to be rolled out shortly and will be delivered to every Network Technician in ESB Network who works on the low voltage (LV) system.
The new policy has been developed in consultation with a wide cross section of staff. Its main focus is to ensure that we leave every customer installation safe and protected every time we carry out work.
To protect our customers, polarity Testing must be carried out every time.
GUIDELINES
• Always carry out polarity testing using your voltmeter and reference earth.
• Our customers safety is our responsibility.
• Never leave safety to chance.
OVER THE RAINBOW
Contents »
▪ The history of ESB transport
This year marks the tenth anniversary of the opening of the fleet and equipment offices and workshop in Tallaght, Dublin. To mark the occasion a permanent display of old photographs of ESB Transport through the years has been created in the building.
▪ Siemens’ visit to ESB Networks
Jerry O'Sullivan, MD ESB Networks, recently hosted a group of 16 senior Siemens Executives in Dublin, looking at various companies’ experience in adapting to digital transformation trends.
▪ Meter and Data Services
An insight into the critical role that three of the teams in Metering & Data Services provide to the Republic of Ireland (ROI) retail market.
▪ Cork's Lord Mayor pays visit
As part of an ongoing awareness-raising programme, an invitation was extended to Cork's Lord Mayor, Cllr John Buttimer, to visit the Divisional HQ in Wilton.
Win a midweek break at Sheraton Athlone Hotel
Be in with a chance to win a two-night break this summer at the superior four-star Sheraton Athlone Hotel located amongst Ireland's Lakelands. Page 28
