Emergency work on 132 kV high voltage power line CHS

Emergency work on 132 kV high voltage power line CHS

Client: CHS

Location: Villanueva Río Segura

Due to a windstorm, the 132 kV power transmission line owned by CHS (Confederación Hidrográfica de Segura) that feeds the substations of the Alhama, Yéchar and Ojós pumping stations, which raise water to the Tajo-Segura water diversion system in different sections, collapsed, It is a very important infrastructure for the Region of Murcia, Alicante and Almeria, affecting a very large area of land, which is why it became a work that had to be undertaken with great urgency.

Three power line towers had to be replaced (Condor 3000, Condor 5000 and Halcón Real 5000 from the manufacturer Imedexa) and a fourth tower (Abengoa series) had to be repaired, with replacement of the electrical wiring (LA-180 conductor and AC-50 guard wire), insulators, crossarms, etc.

The work was carried out in a very short time, only 1 month.

Summary of implementation

1. Checking the absence of voltage on the entire line in coordination with the distributor Iberdrola, assessment of material damage caused by the collapse of the line, review of the entire route to check the extent of the fault, opening of bridges at the Barqueros junction to continue providing service to the Alhama substation.
2. Coordinate preliminary work and give priority to people's safety. Evaluation of possible alternative energy sources with generators for pumping.
3. Secure the line to prevent the collapse of the adjacent sections with concrete counterweights to prevent a chain fall of the adjacent towers to the collapse.
4. Installation of wooden posts to guarantee the passage of vehicles on the affected roads and paths.
5. Topographical survey of the route, necessary for the engineering calculations of the new towers, distances, stresses, etc.
6. Clearing and felling of cultivated trees, adaptation and creation of paths with stockpile areas.
7. Engineering study of new supports and their catenaries, stress testing and checking that the supports comply with the necessary mechanical stresses according to distances, heights, cable tensions, etc.
8. Purchases of materials, pylons (35 m high), crossarms, insulators, clamps, carabiners, etc.
9. New foundations, according to engineering calculations and manufacturer's specifications.
10. Installation of three new towers and repair of a fourth tower, installation of new conductor cable and guard cable, two spans before and two spans after the collapsed area to avoid possible elongated or internally defective areas of the cable.
11. Commissioning of the repaired line, closing the bridge again at the Barqueros vertex to give continuity to the entire line. Checking at substations that they are ready to receive voltage, checking supply and protection cubicles, disconnectors, line switches...
12. Voltage restoration, checking in substations for correct operation at standard voltage.
13. Start-up of pumping to raise water to the Tajo-Segura aqueduct and return to normal operation.

After all the operations carried out, the Tagus-Segura water transfer system was restored to service on time and in the manner agreed with the client CHS, who congratulated us on the correct execution of the work within the estimated time.

Gallery

Emergency work on 132 kV high voltage power line CHS