On the top of Zhongtiao Mountain in Ruicheng County, Yuncheng City, Shanxi Province, a group of power supply maintenance team members spent a special New Year. Photo by Du Heng
China News Service, Yuncheng, February 3, title: The "small year" of the power supply team on the top of the mountain
Author Gao Yuqing Du Heng
"Today is the Little New Year, let's make dumplings on this snowy mountain." February 2nd is the Little New Year in the north. On the top of Zhongtiao Mountain in Ruicheng County, Yuncheng City, Shanxi Province, a group of power supply maintenance team members spent a special little New Year on the snowy and foggy power inspection road.
Drones remove ice and ensure the safety of the power grid. Photo by Du Heng
According to the forecast from the Shanxi Meteorological Department, a new round of widespread rain, snow and freezing weather will occur in central and southern Shanxi from January 31 to February 5. To this end, State Grid Shanxi Electric Power Company quickly launched an early warning plan and organized relevant units to continue to carry out three-dimensional inspections of transmission lines and substation equipment to ensure the safe and stable operation of the power grid.
"Starting at 8 o'clock, the mountain road is covered with thick snow, so everyone must pay attention to driving safety." said Song Jianhu, an operation and maintenance staff member of the Operation and Inspection Branch of the State Grid Shanxi Ultra High Voltage Transmission Company. Half an hour later, three electric power transportation, inspection and supply vehicles plunged into the towering Zhongtiao Mountain. The mountain road is winding and slippery with snow, so vehicles move forward slowly.
Zhongtiao Mountain, located in the southwestern part of Shanxi Province, belongs to a micro-climate area and is prone to icing on lines, so it has always been a key area for prevention. Photo by Du Heng
Zhongtiao Mountain, located in the southwestern part of Shanxi Province, belongs to a micro-climate area and is prone to icing on lines, so it has always been a key area for prevention. After entering an altitude of 1,400 meters, the fog shrouded the area and the visibility was less than 50 meters. Climbing along the snow, the 500-kilovolt wind lines and wind turbines in the mountains were looming in the cold wind.
Drone pilot Liu Jiawei picked up his mobile phone and took photos of the situation along the way while feeling the humidity, wind speed and temperature. I mentally calculated the timing of the drone de-icing.
The 500-kilovolt wind power lines and wind turbines in the mountains are looming in the cold wind. Photo by Du Heng
More than an hour later, they finally arrived at the section with the heaviest snowfall - 500 kV wind transport line Nos. 87 to 89. Heavy fog filled the air and the towers and lines were completely obscured. "The on-site humidity is 78%, the temperature is -4°C, and the equivalent ice thickness of the wire ice is 1.3 mm." The operation and maintenance personnel took out detectors and other equipment to measure.
Operation and maintenance personnel are measuring the equivalent ice thickness of wires covered with ice. Photo by Du Heng
The mountain wind blows intermittently, and the iron tower disappears and appears. Waiting until 14:00, Liu Jiawei saw an opportunity, opened the propellers, hoisted the insulating rod, and took off. I saw the plane flying along the ice-covered wire, finding the level, trying the angle, and increasing the distance. The plane increased its power and flew towards the wire. When the snow fell, Liu Jiawei let out a long sigh of relief as the snowflakes attached to the wires fluttered down the cliff.
Operation and maintenance personnel use drones to carry out de-icing operations. Photo by Du Heng
After the work, the power supply team members drove to the temporarily rented Yuepingliang Forest Fire Prevention Inspection Station near Guanbing Station, serving as the "Cold Wave Power Supply Headquarters" to take a short rest.
"Cold Wave Protection and Power Supply Headquarters". Photo by Du Heng
"Today is the New Year, let's make dumplings on this snow mountain." Song Jianhu said. Kneading noodles, chopping stuffing, rolling out dough, making dumplings... everyone was very busy. A group of people had this unforgettable "New Year's Eve dinner" despite the heavy snow.
The power supply personnel made dumplings together at the "Cold Wave Protection Power Supply Headquarters" to spend the Northern New Year together. Photo by Du Heng
It is understood that during this snowfall, the State Grid Shanxi Electric Power Company dispatched a total of three large drones to carry out de-icing operations flexibly throughout the province. As long as there is snow, they will eliminate it as soon as possible.
Up to now, Shanxi Province’s power grid is operating safely and stably. In the next few days, it will continue to snow in the province, and power supply personnel will continue to stick to the front line of power supply and protect the lights of thousands of homes. (over)