Thursday, November 19, 2015

BC Hydro Capilano Substation: Surrounded by Trees: No Surprise electricity knocked out, businesses closed; homes left cold

The tree broke the top off a BC Hydro transmission structure
The brain trust that looks after BC Hydro customers has decided to commission another report looking at 40 species of trees, across Metro Vancouver, that might be of concern to the Public Corporation's bottom line, Smart Grid or not.  The Report request, from the Minutes of the Climate Action Committee Agenda November 4, 2015, is on page 88 of 126 being prepared by Diamond Head Consulting

Vancouver Sun
The regional district has commissioned a report looking at 40 species of trees across the region to determine whether they are resilient enough to withstand issues such as pests and droughts.

The move follows two windstorms, one on Tuesday and another in August, which saw trees falling on BC Hydro transmission wires, plunging thousands of homes into darkness, some of them for days.

On Tuesday, electricity was cut to about 110,000 B.C. homes after winds gusting up to 70 km/h toppled trees and snapped power lines. A tree broke the top off a BC Hydro transmission structure in the Capilano substation, sending flashes of blue light streaking across the skies, .....

Putting it in perspective:



BC Hydro already has a 61 page guide book on how to handle vegetation, trees too but they prefer to wait until a tree falls knowing that they do make a sound, but the wind drowns the background noise out.




 Noting and recommending for removal any hazard trees (defective trees that may fall into the site), or storm-damaged or vandalized trees and shrubs. Herbicides may be applied to the stumps to prevent resprouting.

 Vancouver's Knight and 49th Avenue Substation is the right way, eh


In a Post that we did in 2014 on a West Vancouver waterfront BC Hydro Substation they finally took the hint and cut down all their trees between the Emergency generating station and the Substation AND chain linked the area so pedestrians (children) wouldn't be able to fall into the six foot deep canal (no way to claw oneself out)

1972 to 2014
  


2015



 Google Search criteria: bc hydro 80 20 debt limit

3 comments:

Anonymous said...

https://www.google.ca/search?q=bc+hydro+80+20+debt+limit&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&hl=en-ca&client=safari

e.a.f. said...

It was unfortunate the lights went out but it really was a nice light show while the substation "blew" up.

one does have to wonder why they pay some of those people at B.C. Hydro. On Vancouver island, the crews are frequently seen trimming trees to ensure they don't fall on power lines. The people in North Vancouver can't figure out they ought to cut the trees around a sub station. O.K. time to replace them

motorcycleguy said...

One of the big arguments in favour of the proposed Narrows Inlet IPP on the Sunshine Coast is "ability to reduce power interuptions"....this is goofy....when a tree falls on the wires locally in the city, how will the electricity get from the IPP drained alpine lake to the house or business? When the river is frozen solid in the stormy winter months, how will the IPP turbines turn? It is not the major high voltage lines that are the issue (usually), it is local infrastructure. Keeping Burrard Thermal open is a good idea. At least uses a different source of energy, is reliable in winter, and is close to the point of use. Why close it? Because it is not privately owned?