| Where |
When |
Were Overhead Lines or Cables
a factor? |
| Germany |
Nov 2005 |
Overhead lines. On 25
November, around 120,000 consumers in the
Munster region in Germany suffered four days
without electricity after around 50 pylons
on the 220kV and 110kV network collapsed in
the wake of a heavy snowstorm. Some local
communities were without power for a week |
| Italy |
Sept 2003 |
Overhead lines. Tree
fell across 380kV line in Switzerland causing
initial disruption. Italian system became
isolated and overheating of conductors on
380kV line (Sils-Soazza) in Italy led to sags
in the line which led to contact with a tree
and trips of generation plant. Recommendations
include better right-of-way maintenance practices |
| Copenhagen |
Sept 2003 |
Neither. Valve problems
at nuclear power plant in Sweden led to its
shut down. Other plants increased production
but busbar failure at substation led to four
400kV lines being disconnected. This led to
shutdown of other nuclear plant and a shortage
of power in southern Sweden and eastern Denmark |
| North East USA/Canada |
Aug 2003 |
Overhead Lines. Started
with a tree flashover on 345kV line. There
were 3 other factors but inadequate vegetation
management re: tree pruning and removal a
key reason |
| London & Birmingham |
Aug/Sept 2003 |
Neither. These were
due to problems with recently commissioned
protection equipment at sub-stations. Maintenance
procedures questioned |
| France |
Dec 1999 |
Overhead Lines. Lines
damaged by falling trees. Also many pylons
were not able to withstand very high wind
velocities. Investigation into the incident
recommended increasing pylon wind velocity
resistance from 150/160 km/hour to 160/170
km/hour. Accord between EdF, RTE and the government
also agreed to underground 25% of future HV
lines (63kV-150kV) |
| Auckland |
Feb 1998 |
Underground Cable. Contractor
cut through a 110kV UGC and three others had
failed due to aging cables (two of which were
over 50 years old) and high ground temperatures.
Power was out for up to 7 weeks |
