Unscheduled power interruptions can be a major inconvenience, disrupting daily life and affecting businesses. Surprisingly, one of the primary causes of these interruptions is something as seemingly harmless as vegetation. Tree branches, vines, and other plant growth that come into contact with power lines can lead to short circuits and power outages. In Central Negros, it has been found that 90% of brownouts are caused by tree branches touching power lines.
Vegetation: A Major Cause of Power Interruptions
Negros Power is continuously clearing power lines of tree branches that cause unexpected interruptions in Central Negros. According to Negros Power, “Sa amon pinakaulihi nga inspection kag survey sa mga linya, may yara kita nga halos dos mil ka mga vegetations nga gina amat-amat na panghawanan sang aton nga mga line teams.” Tree branches touching power lines may result in the disconnection of feeder breakers as a protective measure for the entire distribution system.
When this happens, line teams manually search for the location where the branch is touching the power line, which can take hours due to the length of the feeder lines. These branches are trimmed immediately before reconnecting the feeder breaker to prevent further interruptions, but this is only a temporary solution.
The Role of Protective Equipment in Electrical Systems
Protective equipment like circuit breakers and fuses are crucial for safety and reliability in electrical systems. When an issue such as an overload or short circuit occurs, this equipment quickly disconnects the affected area to prevent damage and larger power outages. This helps ensure that electricity continues to flow smoothly and safely to homes and businesses.
How Vegetation Causes Power Interruptions
Some power interruptions are unpredictable, such as when animals come into contact with power lines. For instance, birds or small mammals might accidentally create a short circuit, leading to a fault and triggering an outage. However, other causes, like vegetation, can be managed before they lead to outages.
When vegetation touches power lines, it can cause a short circuit, leading to the tripping of feeder breakers. These breakers disconnect to protect the electrical system, but this also results in a power outage. Identifying the exact location of the vegetation interference requires manual surveys by line teams, which can be challenging, especially at night. Once found, the vegetation is trimmed, and the breaker is reconnected to restore power.
Negros Power’s Efforts in Ensuring Power Reliability
To minimize power interruptions, Negros Power is working hard to prevent protective equipment from tripping unnecessarily. Scheduled outages for preventive maintenance are crucial for addressing issues before they cause outages. Recently, during an inspection of feeder lines across the franchise area, over 1,800 instances of vegetation interference were identified. This highlights the scale of the problem and the importance of ongoing maintenance. Despite the challenges, Negros Power’s teams are diligently clearing these interferences to reduce power interruptions, particularly since 90% of brownouts in Central Negros are due to tree branches touching power lines.
Transition to a Permanent Solution
The transition from CENECO to Negros Power began on August 1 in preparation for the upcoming takeover next month. When Negros Power formally takes over, they plan to install automatic circuit reclosers on all 43 feeder lines, replace them with new insulated cables, install load brake switches, and sectionalize cut-outs. These measures are intended to become permanent solutions to vegetation issues and avoid prolonged and frequent brownouts.
Consumer and Government Roles in Maintaining a Balanced Urban Environment
Consumers also play a key role in preventing power interruptions. By ensuring that plants and trees on their property do not encroach on power lines, they can help reduce the likelihood of outages. Regular trimming and careful planting away from power lines are simple yet effective measures.
As Bacolod City continues to develop, urban planning must balance growth with preserving green spaces. Managing vegetation is essential for reliable power but does not mean sacrificing greenery. With careful planning and regular maintenance, Bacolod can maintain its natural beauty while ensuring a reliable power supply.
Underground Cabling: A Solution for Bacolod City’s Power Reliability
One of the most promising solutions to vegetation-related power interruptions is the transition to underground cabling. Recognizing this, Bacolod City Mayor Albee Benitez and Negros Power’s Chief Operating Officer, Engr. Bernard Bailey Del Castillo, has initiated discussions to relocate the city’s electrical and telecommunication cables underground. This approach not only enhances the city’s aesthetics but also eliminates the risk of vegetation interference by safely burying the cables. Starting this initiative along major thoroughfares like Lacson Street is a significant step forward, preventing power interruptions and improving the city’s appearance.
Community Cooperation is Key
The success of efforts to reduce power interruptions due to vegetation depends on community cooperation. Utility companies, government agencies, and residents must work together. By responsibly maintaining greenery and supporting initiatives like underground cabling, Bacolod can ensure a reliable electricity supply while preserving its urban environment.
In conclusion, Negros Power’s proactive approach to vegetation management, coupled with public cooperation and strategic urban planning, is essential for minimizing power interruptions and ensuring a reliable power supply for all.
