Maintaining security and safety for  transmission grid during the COVID-19 pandemic

The COVID-19 pandemic is undergoing in complicated manner. To ensure safe, reliable and stable operation of the 220-500kV transmission grid nationwide, the National Power Transmission Corporation (EVNNPT) has actively taken many solutions. The evn.com.vn website conducted an interview with Mr. Nguyen Tuan Tung - General Director of EVNNPT on this issue.

Mr. Nguyen Tuan Tung - General Director of EVNNPT

Reporter: How has EVNNPT prepared to   ensure operation of the transmission grid during the pandemic season COVID-19, sir?

Mr. Nguyen Tuan Tung: With the aim of preventing employees from infected by the pandemic, and at the same time minimizing the impact of the disease on all activities of the corporation, EVNNPT has developed 5 coping scenarios together with hypothetical situations.

For each scenario, EVNNPT sets out detailed implementation solutions, depending on the actual situation and the evolution of the disease, which the units will flexibly handle to ensure effective disease prevention and response to production requirements.

Reporter: How is EVNNPT to promote the application of science and technology in electricity grid operation management to increase labour productivity, as well as limit direct contact among employees in the pandemic, sir?

Mr. Nguyen Tuan Tung: The application of science and technology in operation management has been strongly deployed in EVNNPT in recent years, not only in this pandemic season.

Typically: For the substation operation, EVNNPT has shifted 60% of 220kV substations to unmanned operation so far, reducing the workforce at the substation, the  operation has been conducted in distance by the dispatch center. 

For grid operation, EVNNPT has implemented the application of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) in operation management, grid inspection to help reduce labour force and prevent incidents due to high climbing work. 

In the period of the current pandemic, UAV is used to serve disinfection spraying of substations, not only reducing time compared to manual spraying, but this solution is especially safe for areas where the isolation is strictly required.

In directing and managing daily production, for limiting direct contact, EVNNPT deploys distance meetings via video-conferencing, Zoom meeting, Microsoft Team, as well as exchanging and reporting via Mail, Zalo, Viber, etc.

Reporter: One of the tasks assigned by EVNNPT is to ensure the progress of transmission projects. In the current complex situation of pandemic, what solution does EVNNPT take?

Mr. Nguyen Tuan Tung: 

EVNNPT has taken many solutions to handle, overcome and limit negative impacts of the pandemic. For urgent projects, EVNNPT is determined to work with contractors to meet the motto of both meeting progress requirements for the project and safety requirements for people.

For example, the project of increasing capacity of the  Nho Quan 500kV Substation: As experts could not come to supervise the installation of transformers, EVNNPT had to change the plan. We use standby transformer from the  Pho Noi 500kV substation for installation and operation. The project will energize in April 2020 to avoid overloading for the existing MBA.

Urgent projects to ensure the release of renewable energy sources such as  Ninh Phuoc 220kV substation, increasing the capacity of  Vinh Tan 500kV substation, the corporation is still strengthening the management of the project, ensuring human resources for construction and mobilizing equipment prioritized to the project to ensure the energizing schedule as required by EVN.

For projects that are not in high urgency, EVNNPT will consider adjusting the progress in the current period and will have solutions to mobilize all resources to accelerate progress when the pandemic has gone out.

On-duty team working at the Mai Dong Operation Center (Hanoi Power Transmission)

Reporter: How is the supervision performed by EVNNPT to ensure the safety and health of the construction force on site, Sir?

Mr. Nguyen Tuan Tung: In order to ensure the quality of the project and safety for the construction force, EVNNPT has directed and issued regulations to strictly control the risk of disease infection on the construction site.

Supervision and construction forces themselves must isolate and limit contact with the other people outside the site; if necessary, they must limit the number of staffs and arrange separate areas for contacting and meeting with the related people.

Despite the construction during the pandemic season, the construction supervision must still be strictly noticed to ensure the quality of the construction. In addition to the direct supervision, EVNNPT is conducting indirect monitoring by current technology software.

For the supply of materials and equipment, EVNNPT has worked closely with the suppliers to minimize risks. The necessary information is exchanged via e-mail and other interactive softwares. Thanks to this efficient coordination, the negative effects of the pandemic should be lessened.

On the other hand, to prevent the risk of disease transmission in reception of equipment and materials, EVNNPT has instructed the units to arrange a separate space for the reception, the aim is to make it absolutely safe in the process of delivery and reception of equipment.

Position of Column No. 1083, 500kV grid, circuit 3 under construction in Binh Son district, Quang Ngai province

Reporter: At this moment, how is the concern for direct production workers being implemented by the corporation, sir? 

Mr. Nguyen Tuan Tung: The motto of EVNNPT is that the safety for labours  always is put on the top care under any circumstances,.

To realize the plan, EVNNPT has instructed its subordinate units to clean and disinfect the work area, equip protective equipment suitable for preventing the pandemic such as masks, gloves, disinfected water, anti-bacterial clothing, etc.

Regarding the welfare regime, EVNNPT has instructed the units to most effectively apply the regulations. EVNNPT Trade Union also promptly visited and encouraged its staff and employees.

Reporter: Thank you!


  • 05/04/2020 03:51
  • evn.com.vn
  • 438