Expert proposes four measures to prevent new power grid accidents
Only investments in diagnostics and prevention will prevent new power failures. This is stated by Dr. Eng. Ivan Zhelyazkov, member of the Management Board of the Scientific and Technical Union of Power Engineers in Bulgaria and Deputy Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Central Energy Repair Base (CERB), regarding the failures with the supply of electricity in a number of settlements. Investments in diagnostics and prevention can be made with the own funds of the electricity distribution companies, by adjusting electricity prices by the Energy and Water Regulatory Commission (EWRC) or by attracting financial resources from banks and funds.
According to Eng. Zhelyazkov, the actions that are currently being taken are only temporary and will not solve the problem in the long term. Therefore, it is imperative to take four measures. First, to conduct a risk assessment. Second, to examine the entire residual resource of the iron-lattice poles. Third, to increase the number of mobile emergency repair teams in winter conditions. And fourth, to have more control and responsibility on the part of the EWRC, the Ministry of Energy and the Energy Commission of the National Assembly.
Among the main reasons for mass accidents are the lack of investment in diagnostics and prevention, as well as the irresponsible attitude towards the operation of energy facilities. Back in the spring, network operators should have drawn up a plan for how they will work in autumn-winter conditions, what emergency repair teams they will have at their disposal, and to familiarize the regulatory authorities with this plan.
“In many places in Bulgaria there are broken poles. For years they have been standing in the fields and rusting. We have repeatedly appealed to the network operators to test and analyze the residual resource of the iron-lattice poles. If they are subjected to tests, it will be known how long they can be operated and if they have a little "life left", they can be replaced in time with new ones", explains Dr. Eng. Ivan Zhelyazkov.
Dr. Eng. Ivan Zhelyazkov has many years of management experience in the energy sector. He was Deputy Chairman of the Board of Directors of the National Electric Company (NEC) EAD and a member of the Board of Directors of the Maritsa East 2 TPP EAD. He is a Doctor of Economics, with a PhD in "Energy Security", a Master of Science in Electrical Power Engineering from the Technical University and a Master of Science in International Economic Relations from the University of National and World Economy.