EM - February/March 2015 - (Page 23)

23 Feb/March 2015 www.esb.ie/em ESB Networks Ltd School windfarm tour P24 Smart Networks EDT visit to ESB Networks Green eMotion Project Training Centre GREEN eMOTION IS a European funded FP7 project, which aims to enable mass deployment of electromobility in Europe. To achieve this, the project aims to provide advanced, interoperable and manageable recharging infrastructures and services to Electric Vehicles (EVs). This will be demonstrated through the implementation of a smart network re-enforcement solution to electrical networks with high penetrations of EVs. On the 19th January, ESB Networks hosted Alstom at the Networks Training Centre in Portlaoise. As part of the Green eMotion project, Alstom have developed a Soft-Open-Point device (SOP) to mitigate potential problems that may occur on the distribution network due to increased penetration of EVs. The SOP, which was designed and built to provide automatic power transfer from one Low Voltage (LV) feeder to another based on feeder load levels, was connected to the LV network in the NTC. A number of scenarios were completed to validate the performance of the SOP. One of the main beneﬁts of the SOP is the hybrid radial/meshed solution it provides - beneﬁting from the protection of radial networks and The Soft Open Point Device, which was connected to the LV network in the NTC. the reliability of meshed networks. The demonstration provided valuable insight into the future challenges and opportunities that may arise for both ESB Networks and Alstom. Our thanks is extended to all who helped in this trial. The Smart Networks team is currently involved in another European FP7 funded project concerning EVs - PlanGridEV. This project aims to develop network planning tools and methods for DSOs for an optimised large-scale roll-out of EVs. As part of PlanGridEV, a demonstration is currently underway to assess the possible impact EVs would have on our rural networks. n Re-Union of Technical Ofﬁcers Pictured above are retired ESB Technical Training Officers who where invited to visit the ESB Networks Electrical Operations training facilities, which include the newly commissioned 'Burnwood' HV Training Station at Portlaoise Training Centre, with Michael Sweeney, General Manager. Pictured are (l-r) : Michael Hughes, Martin McNamara, John Bolger, Tommy O'Brien, Michael Sweeney, General Manager ESB Networks Training Centre, Jim Downes, Kieran Thompson, Patrick Deasy and Tommy Shannon, Burnwood HV Training Station, ESB Networks Portlaoise Training Centre. ESB NETWORKS TRAINING Centre was delighted to have the People & Sustainability Director, Pat Naughton, visit the location on the 6th of November 2014, to meet with newly recruited Network Technicians and Apprentices. Pat took the time to get an appreciation of the work and Strategy of the Fleet and Technical Training organisation, meeting with the management team and the staff who were on site that day. His visit also included a tour of the facilities, including the new state of the art 38kV Burnwood Station on site. Pat then spoke to classes of newly recruited Network Technicians, who were being inducted on the day and also a class of 1st year apprentice Network Technicians, who were embarking on the strengthened apprentice programme, launched in 2014. Pat emphasised to both groups the opportunities that lie ahead of them in ESB and highlighted ESB's Core Value of Safety. He asked each of them to observe the safety rules and policies and look out for themselves and for each other. On site, Pat also got a demonstration of the new Lifting and Climbing IT system, which has been recently implemented, to support legislative compliance with this equipment. n Alan Kelly with a group of new NTs. Group People & Sustainability Executive Director, Pat Naughton, at NTC with (l-r): John Norton, Maurice Keane and Alan Kelly. Pat with James Treacy, John Fox, Maurice Keane and John Norton. James & John explained our new Lifting and Climbing IT system to Pat. New Apprentices at class (l-r): Andrew Branagan, Shane Duggan, Conor Doyle, Ian Hanrahan, Laura Regan, Dara Maloney, David O'Shea, Brendan Kinsella, Katie Hynes and Vincent Feeney. Pat Naughton is shown the new ESB Networks Apprentice Log Book by Mick Sweeney with David Gormley and Cathal Sheehy. Kinnegad and Mullingar 110KV Stations - Project Works 2014 THROUGHOUT 2014, EXTENSIVE projects have been completed in both Kinnegad and Mullingar 110kV Stations by the HV Stations Athlone team. Kinnegad 110kV Station In 2014 a busbar upgrade was completed, new sectionaliser and buszone protection at the Kinnegad 110kV Station, located on the Lagan Cement site in Co. Westmeath. The new bay is to be completed in 2015. To facilitate this work, the A1 busbar in Kinnegad works started with an early season outage date in March 2014, followed by the A2 busbar and sectionaliser. The lengths of the set of tubular busbars (21m) required a crane on site for the busbar lift and installation. Our Network Technicians excelled at its installation, with precision needed for the cutting of the tubular, assembly, installation including connectors and droppers. The safety approach adopted on site was excellent. A number of challenges were met in completing this work. All were successfully managed on site, with outages arranged, contractors mobilised and electrical works completed. The full station is now regularised, with both busbars uprated to tubular, the new sectionaliser energised and new buszone protection installed in December 2014. Mullingar 100kV Station Mullingar 110kV Station, located approximately 22km north-west of Kinnegad, had multiple projects in progress in 2013 & 2014, including Transmission refurbishment works and the new 38kV GIS Module. The advent of the new 110kV Line required the Mullingar station plans to be revised to integrate the completion of the station works associated with the new line, in parallel with these projects. The station Mullingar Station Busbar. ESB Networks staff working on Mullingar Station Busbar. was a busy site in a tight compound, so the careful safety planning and co-ordination on site must be commended. The two bays were refurbished and new tubular busbar energised, on schedule, in November 2014. Well done to all parties involved - the HV Stations Team Athlone, ESBI, EirGrid, contractors - for the excellent work completed in 2014 and looking forward to completing the remaining elements of these projects in 2015. n http://www.esb.ie/em

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of EM - February/March 2015

News
Innovation
Generation & Wholesale Markets
BSC & Electric Ireland
EBS Networks Ltd
Health & Habitat

EM - February/March 2015