Bird deterrent equipment installed by ZES engineers at Mirny power station to protect avian wildlife from potential harm.
In the remote town of Mirny, PJSC "Yakutskenergo" is deploying state-of-the-art bird protection devices (BPDs) on 10kV power lines. This project involves implementing IR-PA and IL-PA BPDs on compact transformer substations (CTS) and towers. These devices are designed to safeguard birds and boost power supply dependability. IR-PA BPDs, featuring contact hoods and protective caps, are integrated into 10/0.4 kV CTS as barriers against birds touching live parts and grounded equipment. Meanwhile, IL-PA BPDs, made of robust polymer hoods, are fitted directly on medium-voltage overhead lines with pin-type insulators to block access to hazardous zones.
The main goal of using BPDs is multifaceted: it includes protecting birds (including endangered species) from electrocution, strengthening power supply reliability for Mirny residents by reducing the risk of outages, minimizing costs for recovery, and adhering to Russian environmental protection laws.
Alexei Anikin, Director of Western Power Grid, expresses, "We are committed to installing advanced bird protection devices - IR-PA and IL-PA. These are potent technical solutions that not only shield birds from perishing on power lines but also prevent technical faults and reinforce power supply reliability, ultimately contributing to Yakutia's ecology."
The installation of modern BPDs across the Mirninsky district is progressing according to schedule. Thus far, a dozen IR-PA BPDs have been installed on CTS throughout the city, and one IL-PA BPD has been mounted on a tower. By year's end, an additional 20 BPDs are tentatively planned to be set up in the Mirninsky district.
These devices offer several advantages related to bird conservation, operational dependability, and cost management, although specific documentation on IR-PA and IL-PA acronyms is scarce in recent literature. Generally, the benefits include:
- Bird Safety: Protected arrestors and specialized insulators minimize the risk of large avian species being electrocuted, contributing to biodiversity preservation and the protection of endangered species.
- Compliance with Wildlife Conservation: By mitigating hazards, these devices aid power utilities in complying with environmental regulations and supporting broader wildlife management objectives.
- Reliable Power Supply: By reducing bird-induced faults leading to fewer outages, preservation is ensured, and less maintenance work is required.
- Cost Efficiency: Fewer outages mean lower maintenance and operational costs for utility operators, as well as long-term savings from liability reductions and avoidance of fines or litigation penalties.
These practices align with the best practices for integrating wildlife conservation with infrastructure reliability and cost efficiency.
- In the pursuit of both wildlife protection and reliable energy supply, the industry is integrating advanced bird protection devices (BPDs), such as IR-PA and IL-PA, into power infrastructure in Mirny, as demonstrated by PJSC "Yakutskenergo".
- Adhering to the need for environmental conservation, these BPDs, previously installed on CTS and towers, aim to safeguard birds (including endangered species) from electrocution, while also ensuring dependable power supply and minimizing costs for recovery.
- The strategic deployment of these BPDs in Mirny not only aligns with Russian environmental protection laws but also serves to reinforce the power grid's operational dependability and financial efficiency by reducing bird-induced faults and associated costs.
