3 towns on the Isle of Wight have benefitted from an £191,000 investment by Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks (SSEN) to install technology that will help to ‘self-restore’ electricity supplies.
The distribution operator has installed the automated system on the network supplying over 5,500 customers in areas of Cowes, Ryde and Ventnor, meaning that power supplies to homes and businesses there can be restored faster than ever in the event of a power cut; generally in less than three minutes.
The Automated Power Restoration System (APRS) enables the electricity network powering homes and businesses to ‘self-restore’. The innovative and self-adapting system detects when, and where, there is a fault on the network, then – if safe to do so – either chooses the most suitable alternative cable circuit to switch supplies to or sends a signal to the main control room where engineers can restore power with the push of a button.
Automation planner for SSEN, Alex King, said:
“Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks constantly looks for new and innovative ways to improve the electricity infrastructure to meet customers’ needs, and I’m delighted that we have been able to complete these works that will benefit three areas across the Island.
“By investing in technology, such as APRS, SSEN is building in a further layer of resilience to electricity supplies; keeping power flowing to customers through an efficient and steady
“As more local homes and businesses on the Isle of Wight take up low carbon technologies – such as electric vehicles, heat pumps and solar panels – SSEN is working to provide a network that is fit for the future.
Taking 12 months to complete, the works started in 2022 and are now fully operational in the following areas:
- Uplands Road
- Cockleton Lane
- Nodes Road
- Newport Road
- Albert Street
- Belgrave Road
- Treetops
- Orchard Road
- Rope Walk
While dramatically reducing the duration of unplanned power cuts, automation also means SSEN’s engineers can investigate the actual fault faster and resolve any network issues while power is still being supplied via alternative circuits.
As environmental impact and reducing the carbon footprint of the company is a priority for SSEN, APRS also reduces the need for engineers to physically switch power back on at source; thereby cutting unnecessary travel and allowing engineers and resources to be redirected to other areas of network maintenance.
To find out more about the PSR, click here or call 0800 294 3259. Additionally, you can access further information on power cuts and how SSEN can assist you during this time, by going to: Power cuts & safety – SSEN.
Suppose the overhead power lines are brought down in a storm especially in cocelton Lane where the lines are loose and wobble in normal conditions .
How will this new system help that situation
I am sure they have thought of that, and a robot will leap forth and track across rain and windswept fields and hedges, grasp the 11,000 volt line and with an extended arm weld them back to their fixings……………………….In another 50 years perhaps.
No that’s what the engineers do now. But with no appreciation from the public.
As always made to ‘look’ as if it is all for the customers benefit, but the reality is it saves them sending out engineers in most cases, saving wages, and likely prepping for when electric car take up places such heavy loads on the grid that power failure will be common place.
See things as they ‘are’ not how they are portrayed by those with vested interests.
People rarely ‘do’ things for the good of faceless customers unless the benefits are greater for the company.
Generally in business, things that benefit customers also benefit the company. The whole point of a private company is that it makes money.
Don’t bother SSEN, you could spend billions and the idiots will still moan.
SSEN have renewed most of the poles in ashey and surrounding areas, they have supplied generators and kept power disruption to a minimum, They have brought in special low ground pressure vehicles to avoid damage to land owners property There staff have been polite, helpful, and hard working,spending many day working in the rain . Well done ssen
This system should be installed everywhere SSEN supply customers not just select areas..
Hardly “innovative” to provide for alternate operating paths – it’s what every system designer aims for. Of course there’s a cost implication – not favourite among privatised utilities.