System Operations

David Crockett
VP of System Operations

Team work is essential when working either on relatively large or small projects. System operations at Big Rivers deals with a variety of projects in building, operating and maintaining its 1,220 miles of transmission lines and communication systems that deliver power and other services to its three member-systems. In some instances, large projects can require additional manpower that is not needed full time. Projects can require special expertise that is not available on staff. Teaming with outside resources proves to be efficient and cost effective for its member-systems. Big Rivers will also team with its member-systems on certain types of system operations’ projects when it is the most effective method for all.

A number of efforts were underway in 2005 that kept the Big Rivers’ engineering team running full speed. These efforts include the Palma-Draffenville 69 kV line, the Hopkins County remote terminal unit replacement, and radio control switching for the Doe Valley tap, and the Rome Junction switching addition. Those engineering projects that have moved to the construction phase include the Possum Trot 69 kV line, the Madisonville 69 kV line, the Cumberland Resources 69 kV line and the Meade County second 161 kV line.

A major effort underway for many months has been the engineering and construction involved in the switching of Big Rivers’ microwave system from analog to digital technology. This effort will bring many benefits to system operations and power delivery as well as added benefits involving the communication process with the member systems. This changeover in technology should be completed in the first half of 2006.

Big Rivers also successfully teamed up with other utilities in developing a new automatic reserve sharing arrangement to replace the one previously being administered through the East Central Area Reliability (ECAR) region. ECAR functions ceased on January 1, 2006 with the advent of the new ReliabilityFirst Corp., which combined ECAR and two other region reliability councils into a new larger council. Big Rivers opted to join the Southeastern Electric Reliability Council (SERC) rather than ReliabilityFirst since SERC was better aligned with Big Rivers for reliability coordination efforts.

Big Rivers continued its normal system operations’ maintenance and operations efforts. These included inspecting and treating 2,090 poles and the change out of 125 rejected wood poles. Sixteen substation and communication backup battery banks were tested and maintained in 2005 with one station battery system being replaced. Testing and overhauling occurred on numerous 69 kV and 161 kV power circuit breakers. Testing and maintenance were performed on dozens of transformers, meter, protective relays, line switches, power line carriers, two-way radios and telemetry units.

The installation of the GIS was finished and is now functionally complete. This computerized information system which includes utilization of satellite mapping for each pole and piece of line equipment will further improve operations of the system as well as enhance system maintenance.