The reliability of the grid significantly influences various aspects of our daily lives ranging from essential services such as hospital, factories, and telecommunications systems to government operations, water production and residential power supply. Instances of system failures and widespread outages have required utilities and other companies that support the grid to look for cost-effective measures to prevent these occurrences. These grid reliability challenges, including extreme weather, wildlife interference, and cybersecurity threats, have catalyzed innovation and modernization efforts in energy management. Additionally, maintaining operational reliability amidst the increasing integration of renewable energy sources is crucial for a stable and efficient electricity grid.
In this blog post, we’ll explore Reclosers as a prime solution for enhancing grid reliability. Additionally, we will examine key features to consider and methods to safeguard both workers and the environment.
What is The Most Affordable Solution for Power Grid Reliability?
Reclosers stand out as a pivotal solution, particularly in overhead applications, playing a crucial role to support grid reliability. Energy efficiency is also an essential tool for balancing energy demand and enhancing grid resilience. With advancements in technology, reclosers have become essential for grid reliability, minimizing maintenance needs. Aging infrastructure and distributed energy resources pose reliability challenges, making reclosers crucial investments for the future. Integrated into the smart grid, reclosers improve reliability metrics and streamline fault diagnosis, saving utilities time and money during outages.
What are the Features to Consider for Grid Reliability with Renewable Energy?
Increased Phase Spacing:
An effective approach to mitigating flashover events involves the engineering of overhead distribution equipment with extended phase spacing. Power lines are particularly vulnerable to wildlife and extreme weather events, which can lead to significant outages. By implementing wider spacing, flashovers caused by vegetation, overvoltage, and wildlife contact can be significantly reduced.
Flexible Configurations:
To accommodate various environments, its essential to tailor the installation of reclosers accordingly. Viper reclosers offer a range of options for insulator configurations, including vertical “L” and horizontal “Z” setups. Additionally, a variety of frame configurations are available, including options for substation, pad mount, or fully assembled for site-ready installation, ensuring adaptability to diverse installation requirements.
Site-Ready Reclosers for Rapid Development:
Site-ready reclosers provide a simplified solution by integrating Viper reclosers and recloser controls into complete systems during quality-controlled manufacturing, ensuring reliable operation of the power grid. This approach reduced variability associated with field installations, streamlining the installation process and cutting down on time and labor.
Integration of Distributed Energy Resources
Distributed energy resources (DERs), such as rooftop solar panels and energy storage systems, are becoming increasingly vital for maintaining grid reliability and promoting clean energy. DERs can provide essential reliability services, including peak demand reduction and grid stability, helping to balance supply and demand on the grid.
Grid operators are actively working to integrate DERs into the power grid, leveraging advanced technologies like smart grid technologies and energy management systems. This integration requires careful planning and coordination to ensure that DERs operate in a manner that supports grid reliability and stability.
The rise of DERs is transforming the energy landscape, offering greater customer choice and control over energy usage. This shift is paving the way for a more sustainable future, where clean energy resources play a central role in the electricity supply.
Impact of Extreme Weather Events
Extreme weather events, such as hurricanes and wildfires, can significantly impact grid reliability, leading to power outages and damage to critical infrastructure. To address these challenges, grid operators and utilities are enhancing grid resilience and preparing for extreme weather events through advanced technologies and strategies like grid hardening and vegetation management.
The integration of renewable energy sources and energy storage systems can mitigate the impact of extreme weather events on the grid. These resources provide backup power and reduce reliance on fossil fuels, contributing to a more resilient power system.
Effective emergency response and recovery planning are crucial for minimizing the impact of extreme weather events on the grid. Ensuring that power is restored quickly and safely is paramount, especially as climate change is expected to increase the frequency and severity of these events. Prioritizing grid resilience and adaptability is essential in the face of a changing climate.
How to Protect Workers and the Environment During Extreme Weather Events
Manual Trip Operation:
Ensuring operator safety is crucial when workers perform tasks on a line. To achieve this and maintain operational reliability, a manual tip and lockout handle prevent power operation from both the control panel and remote locations. Mechanical block mechanisms add an extra layer of protection against accidental closure. Additionally, open and close contact indicators confirm the position of the contacts, and both contact status and lockout conditions can be verified from the control panel.
Dead-Tank Recloser Design:
The Viper reclosers utilize a dead-tank design incorporating solid dielectric modules, which effectively decreases wildlife interruptions and enhances operator safety, contributing to a reliable power grid. By minimizing the surface area of the recloser assembly at higher voltages and ensuring that the exterior of the module body is at ground potential, the risk of wildlife-related arcs is reduced.
Solid Dielectric Modules:
Viper-ST recloser modules feature removable IEEE apparatus bushing interfaces with durable silicone insulators, ideal for overhead applications. These insulators contribute to a reliable grid by ensuring continuous electricity supply and operational reliability, especially during extreme weather events. They can be easily replaced in the field, offering flexibility for damage or adjusting to environmental conditions, and provide superior durability compared to epoxy alternatives.
Flame-Retardant Wildlife Guards:
Wildlife encountering electrical infrastructure can unintentionally cause flashovers, potentially leading to increased wildlife risks. To mitigate this danger and enhance grid infrastructure, the Viper-ST recloser utilized a dead front body style, complemented by flame-retardant wildlife guards covering energized components. This combination effectively prevents flashover events from igniting and eliminates the possibility of flaming materials falling to the ground.
How Can G&W Electric Help with Grid Modernizations and Grid Reliability?
G&W Electric’s distribution reclosers are rated up to 38kV, providing innovative solutions that contribute to grid reliability. They effectively reduce maintenance costs while enhancing safety and reliability. For more information or to discuss your project needs, connect with a G&W Electric representative by filling out our Find a Rep form or Request a Project Consultation.
