Skip navigation 
Previous Page
21
February/March 2014 • www.esb.ie/em
ESB Networks Ltd
NETWORKS THE CONNECTED WORLD
Page 23
Mount Lucas connection
The 79.2MW Mount Lucas Wind Farm is being developed by Bord na Mdna in the Bog of Allen near Edenderry, Co. Offaiy. The connection of this wind farm required the construction of a new looped 110kV station into the Thornsberry-Cushaling 110kV overhead line.
THE 110KV STATION and line works were designed and built by Bord Na Mona as a contestable project, with the substation handed over to ESB Networks at Energisation stage.
This a grid connection and as such Bord na Mona are clients/customers of EirGrid, who managed the overview of the design and construction of the site works. ESB Networks, along with ESB International, completed elements of the works including stations works in Cushaling llOkV Station, Telecoms, Metering and Commissioning, while local staff completed the final connections to energise the new Mount Lucas llOkV station. ESB Networks worked closely with EirGrid to ensure that the connection was delivered on time.
The project commenced in June 2012 and was planned for completion by the end of 2013. Mount Lucas wind farm required a transmission outage in Cushaling llOkV Station. This was programmed in line with a scheduled outage at Edenderry (120MW) Generating Station, which was to be offline at the end of December 2013. As the project Energisation date approached, more detailed planning was required by all parties concerned. ESB Networks as Lead Project Manager coordinated with Bord Na Mona, EirGrid, ESB International and local ESB Networks Operations and HV Stations teams to develop and agree a final phase work plan. It was necessary to work on December 29th, 30th and 31st last to meet the tight deadlines.
Mount Lucas Wind Farm was energised on December 31st 2013. This project is significant from a number of perspectives:
- SAFETY: It was delivered safely, without accident.
- TEAMWORK: It is a tribute to the close cooperation of all involved in Bord na Móna, EirGrid, ESB International, ESB Telecoms and HVD&C and D&CS and ESB Networks.
- STAFF COMMITMENT: Staff committed to and delivered not just during the ongoing works but also to working on Dec 29th-Dec 31st, 2013.
- NEW MILESTONE: There is now more than 2 GW of connected wind generation capacity connected to the Grid/Networks system. Well done to all concerned!
Tackling litter and graffiti in Dublin City
ON TUESDAY JANUARY 14th last, Jerry O'Sullivan, Managing Director of ESB Networks Ltd, and Oisin Quinn, Lord Mayor of Dublin signed a Memorandum of Understanding which sets out the procedures to deal with illegal dumping and graffiti at unoccupied ESB Networks’ sub-stations in Dublin city.
“Our city is of vital importance to the people of Dublin and to our visitors, so we need all the assistance we can get to reduce litter. This is an important new partnership and I am delighted Dublin city are taking the lead in this initiative and would recommend that all local authorities follow suit,” said the Lord Mayor.
Jerry O'Sullivan added; “This MoU with Dublin City Council is a very welcome development in enabling us meet our environmental commitments and is an excellent example of a Utility and Local Authority working in partnership to keep Dublin clean, and in doing so create a welcoming environment for all those who live, work and visit the city. It is also a very tangible example of ESB's commitment to working responsibly in the community in keeping with our sustainability strategy. We intend to progress a similar initiative with other local authorities in the greater Dublin area and around the country”.
The MoU was facilitated by the Environment & Sustainability Team in ESB Networks with the input, cooperation and support of the National Customer Contact Centre, ESB Networks HVD&C and D&CS Supervisors in Dublin City, ESB Legal Services and the Litter Prevention Section in Dublin City Council.
SECURITY IN ESB NETWORKS SUBSTATIONS
ESB Networks is constantly striving to manage ongoing risks to a secure electrical supply for all its customers. One such risk is the ongoing problem of unauthorised personnel breaking into Substations, which has increased over the years, with the rise in the price of copper.
HV STATIONS Performance section, Asset Management, ESB Networks has worked with the Delivery organisations to put in place policies and processes to assist delivery in the business in managing this ongoing security challenge. A number of initiatives have been driven out including:
- An overall security policy for ESB Networks HV Substations launched in 2011 governing all aspects of how the business assesses and manages security risks.
- A web-based Security Incident Re port was developed for reporting Break-ins to aid us in highlighting nationally the number of break-ins, including the cost and the severity.
- A programme to identify unused materials/equipment that can be re moved from station premises. This has led to security and environmental improvements on multiple sites.
- HVD&C has actively engaged with EirGrid and the Gardai over recent months to manage ongoing risks to Transmission Stations. A number of practical steps to address copper theft were agreed. Fixed CCTV will be considered for a number of ‘at- risk’ stations during 2014.
- In PR3 to date, 40 stations have been upgraded with palisade fencing with another 13 planned for 2014. This has enhanced the security status of a significant number of sites nationally.
- In late 2013, fixed copper earths were removed from a number of live stations resulting in diversion of significant resources and repair costs. A pilot scheme is planned in 2014 trial-ling a number of alternative earthing materials in HV stations to reduce/ remove the copper temptation.
- An electric power fence was installed at Kilbarry llOkV Station. To date this has proved to be very successful. We are assessing the feasibility of applying this solution to additional critical stations between now and the end of PR3.
- A successful relationship has been built with Netwatch Security who are now engaged in a number of substation sites.
It is absolutely critical for all those involved in responding to incidents, to report this to their supervisor and ensure the incident gets updated on the above web reporting system http://esbmoss/sc/esbnetworks/NAP/lncident/default.aspx.
