Technicians train on live grid for renewables ramp up

National Grid has conducted a pilot programme to train technicians to repair live 240kV wires in preparation for the growing volume of renewable energy joining the UK grid.

The transmission system owner and operator recently completed a live-line training programme at the Narec Clothier high voltage laboratory in South Tyneside, which saw six technicians carry out maintenance on mock transmission lines and towers.

Live-line working allows specialist linesmen to carry out repairs on live electricity wires without needing to shut down that portion of the grid.

In the field, engineers are lowered on a line from a helicopter. But at Narec, they were lifted up to the live line using a crane. However, National Grid said the lab-based training still allowed the technicians to gain a better understanding of high-voltage effects.

“Live-line working will play an increasingly important role in National Grid’s operations, providing greater flexibility of access to the high-voltage network to support Britain’s move towards more low-carbon and renewable generation,” said Chris Land, National Grid specialist techniques engineer.

National Grid previously carried out similar training in the 1990s, but stopped the programme due to lack of demand. However, the growing amount of renewable energy expected to come online in the coming decades will put increased pressure on the UK's ageing grid.

Narec and National Grid told BusinessGreen.com they hope the pilot project will lead to a long-term training programme being established at the Clothier lab.

The UK government plans to deliver 15 per cent of its energy from renewable sources by 2020. However, the ageing national grid is frequently cited as one of the biggest barriers to bringing new projects online.

In May, National Grid launched a £3.2bn rights issue in an attempt to raise billions for new green infrastructure projects.