Energy workers of DTEK Grids DSO are mastering the live repairs technique (without power shutdowns for the customers): 16,000 such works have been performed in 2023

DTEK Grids energy workers constantly improve methods of works on the grids. Since 2018, they started mastering technology of repairs without power shutdown. The goal is to conduct the majority of repairs in the nearest future without de-energization of customers.

“In 2022, we had to suspend our energy workers’ training for live repairs, as all resources were directed to repair of the electrical infrastructure after hostilities and restoration of electricity to homes of Ukrainians, - told Oleksandr Fomenko, CEO at DTEK Grids. – Now, we are gradually returning to the projects on development and application of modern technologies on the grids. Including, live repairs. However, in order for us to be able to train at the landfills in Ukraine and test personal protection equipment that allows performing such works, an outdated regulatory framework must change at the state level. As its inadaptability significantly increases the cost of application of this technology and this is an obstacle on the path of this project’s development.”

Depending on the difficulty of works, training of energy workers lasts from 3 days (works in meter cabinets) to 3 months (works on the 6-20 kV overhead lines) and is conducted at the special training landfills in Ukraine and Poland. From 2018 to 2022, live works method has been mastered by 1,079 energy workers of the DTEK Grids Distribution System Operators. The company has procured 86 sets of specials protective wear for these specialists: protective rubber gloves, hardhats, overalls, etc., as well as special insulated tools: dielectric mats, caps, covers, blankets, booms that protect electricians from electrocution during performance of live works on the lines.

In 2023, DTEK energy workers have conducted 16,012 repairs without power shutdown for the customers:

• 9,917 repairs in the Dnipropetrovsk region;
• 2,670 repairs in the Odesa region;
• 1,633 repairs in Kyiv;
• 1,792 repairs in the Kyiv region;

At the same time, DTEK Grids DSO constantly extend the list and difficulty of works. Currently, they conduct works not only on the low-voltage facilities, but also on the medium-voltage lines. Thus, in Kryvyi Rih in 2023, for example, was the first time that DTEK energy workers performed live works related to replacement of reinforced concrete poles on the 0.4 kV power lines. Previously, such works were conducted only with de-energization of consumers for a long period of time. Now, all works were conducted without any shutdowns.

DTKE Grids intends to further scale the project and increase the amount of live works, but to do that corresponding resources must be provided in the company’s investment program at the national regulator level and changes at the state level must start in the regulatory base that regulates training of energy workers and actual performance of such works on the grids.