Narec -        ‘National Grid Trainees at Clothier being manoeuvred towards the live transmission line’ UK transmission system owner and...

National Grid Operations Team Carry Out Live Line Training at the Clothier Laboratories

By El Roboto | 19/07/10 | In Electrical Networks

      
‘National Grid Trainees at Clothier being manoeuvred towards the live transmission line’

UK transmission system owner and operator, National Grid, has recently completed live line training of six linesmen, utilising Narec’s Clothier HV testing and technology development laboratories in Hebburn, South Tyneside to mirror live line working conditions in the field.

The 3 day training programme took place inside the Clothier Laboratories and involved setting up mock transmission lines, towers and associated equipment. The conductor was then energised to 240kV and the National Grid linesmen lifted onto the live line using a crane.   

Chris Land, Specialist Techniques Engineer at National Grid, commented:

“Narec’s unique UHV test facility allows us to get a feel for and better understand high voltage effects, which complements other training modules on de-energised overhead line installations.

“Live line working will play an increasingly important role in National Grid’s operations, providing greater flexibility of access to the high voltage network to support Britain’s move towards more low carbon and renewable generation.”

Live line working is a practice employed by transmission and distribution owners, whereby linesmen perform operations on energised electricity infrastructure.  The necessity for live working on transmission and distribution circuits arises from the need to maintain connected electricity corridors during repairs, maintenance or circuit modification activities. With the ever-increasing flows across the electricity network, some critical circuit outages can be difficult to achieve.  

Alex Neumann, Director of Electrical Networks at Narec, commented:

“We have very much enjoyed working with National Grid in helping them to expand their strategic capability in live line operations, to support their ongoing maintenance and upgrade programme for the UK’s high-voltage electricity and gas networks.

“Live line working offers greater flexibility and the opportunity to substantially improve network availability as our energy mix evolves.”