Activities for the reliability of energy supply

The regulations of activities to improve reliability of energy supply are in effect in ENEA Operator include the following:

As part of the measures applied to improve the reliability of grid operation, especially of the MV grid, which has the greatest influence on the indicators of duration and frequency of interruptions in electricity supply, the following program and supporting activities are carried out, among others:

• adjusting the needs of own substations to ensure 24-hour power backup,
• adjustment of automation of AFO (automatic load-shedding),
• implementation of the MV Grid Development Concept, which takes into account development of automated solutions within the grid,
• cables of MV grids passing through forest areas,
• removal of equipment constraints,
• implementation of the FDIR (Fault Detection, Isolation & Restoration) function in selected MV line sections,
• liquidation of the 6 kV grid in the Poznań urban area,
• activities in respect to measurements and diagnostics of medium voltage cable lines,
• systemic measures related to the removal of trees and bushes within the zones under power lines.

ENEA Operator makes all efforts to limit the consequences of failures and restore power supply to customers as quickly as possible. For this purpose, it supplies energy to a separate electric power grid using electricity generators, provided that it is technically feasible, and cooperates with other operators of distribution systems and the transmission system. In order to limit interruptions in power supply to users to the minimum, the company also regularly increases the scope of work performed in the live-line working technology (MV and LV) and carries out preventive diagnostic measurements. The work on locating damage in the grid, making the necessary switching and repairs to restore power supply to the consumers is undertaken immediately after the failure occurs, by ENEA Operator employees or by external contractors. For each failure, a cause analysis is conducted as an element of the assessment of the technical condition and forms the basis for devising the scope of an upgrade/replacement of devices under the modernization and capital expenditure programs implemented by the company or its operating decisions.

The safety of electricity supply to customers is also significantly improved by the standards for any technical solutions applied, materials used and works performed on the distribution grid the company has introduced. The use of standardized grid equipment enables a faster removal of failures. During the process aimed at developing the said standards, each solution is subjected to an in-depth analysis and technological tests. All standards are then subjected to periodic analyses at least every 24 months counting from their entry into force, which enables their detailed formulation and update in a manner that makes the requirements and guidelines contained therein reflect the changing needs of the power grid operation. Additionally, every year tests of the correctness and speed of response to a mass failure are conducted in selected business units of the company.

Due to a large number of power failures caused by damage to buried cables during construction works, in particular in large cities, the company conducts a campaign to raise awareness of this issue among building contractors. As a result, construction companies have been reporting cable damage much more frequently and identify the exact location of the incident. This allows us to reach the place of damage and repair it faster.

In 2022, ENEA Operator continued its efforts aimed at improving the operational reliability of the distribution grid. To this end, it primarily carried out planned diagnostics of MV cable lines and ongoing modernization of power facilities and equipment in line with the existing modernization programs. It also maintained the regular strengthening of the support infrastructure for distribution activities, i.e. purchase of specialist equipment (including vehicles) and construction and modernization of support facilities.

In 2022, ENEA Operator carried out several strategic investments in the Lubuskie, Kujawsko-Pomorskie, Zachodniopomorskie, Wielkopolskie and Pomorskie voivodships. The most important ones include: