Ulyanovsk Distribution Grids, a branch of IDGC of Volga, PJSC (a member of Rosseti Group of Companies), has successfully completed all planned activities implemented to prepare power grid facilities of the region for yet another autumn and winter season.

Implementation of the repair program is one of key criteria for the assessment of the branch preparedness. This year, repair operations conducted by power sector specialists covered a total of over 2,577 km of overhead transmission lines (OHLs), including 797 km of 35–110 kV high-voltage lines. Repair activities included replacement of 1,428 supports and 16,084 insulators, replacement of 75 km of conventional wires for self-supporting insulated wires and wires of larger cross-sectional area in order to increase transmission capacity of OHLs. Capital repair activities covered 42 substations (110/35 kV) and 708 transformer substations (10/0.4 kV). Vegetation management activities to clean rights-of way from trees and shrubs are an important component of preparation of the power grid facilities for winter operations. A total area of 505 ha was cleaned.

To train operational and on-line maintenance personnel in how to respond to contingency situations, emergency trainings were conducted. The branch formed and fully equipped 103 repair teams, including 7 mobile resolver groups ready to quickly arrive to any district of the region or any neighboring region in order to carry out emergency and recovery operations. Members of these teams were provided with special clothes, PPE, and any materials and equipment that may be required for the performance of works. The emergency stock of equipment is 100% ready, and 48 backup power supply units for the total capacity of 713 kW were mobilized to be quickly deployed in case of necessity in order to provide electricity for socially-significant facilities. Furthermore, specialists conducted 9 test ice-melting operations to remove rime icing deposits from many kilometers of power transmission lines within the shortest time period, thus preventing dangerous overload of equipment. All implemented activities will allow to reduce the risk of technological disturbances in power grids and, in case of accident, to conduct recovery operations within the shortest time.

Upon successful implementation of all planned activities aimed to improve reliability of power supply for consumers in the Ulyanovsk region during the peak load season, Ulyanovsk DG branch will obtain the certificate of preparedness for operations during the autumn and winter season 2017/2018. Up to date, the branch and all its production departments have successfully completed a thorough multi-stage readiness inspection process. In accordance with the findings of this inspection, the inter-departmental commission highly appraised the quality and timeliness of all necessary organizational and technical activities and issued the certificate of inspection to confirm the branch preparedness for winter operations, without any dissenting opinions or raised issues.