In last November’s newsletter, we shared details about the emergency work at our Verona Substation following a bushing failure that led to a 30-hour outage. Recently, our members had another extended power outage while we performed additional work on the Substation. While the outages presented real challenges, I am immensely proud of the dedication of our team and the understanding of our members as we worked to restore power and complete the necessary repairs.
The most recent outage on June 26, allowed us to replace all three high-side 161kV bushings on the Verona transformer — components that are vital to safely moving electricity in and out of the substation. Each bushing weighs about 500 pounds and measures more than 10 feet in length. They were handled with extreme care before installation.
The installation of the new bushing also required the replacement of the draw-lead connectors. Because we weren’t certain if the draw lead would need to be lengthened, and we found that it needed to be lengthened, our team was prepared for multiple repair methods. In the end, precision, adaptability, and a bit of creativity were key!
After installation, we pulled a vacuum on the transformer to remove any moisture, followed by a nitrogen fill. Final testing confirmed that the system was ready to be re-energized, and our scheduled outage of 16 hours was completed in less than 9 hours.
The scheduled outage also provided an opportunity to perform critical maintenance on our 69kV transmission line. Prior to the scheduled outage, crews identified and prioritized poles in need of attention. Once the outage began, crews worked safely and efficiently to complete as much of the maintenance as possible while the line was de-energized.
With this work complete, the Verona Substation is now equipped to deliver reliable, long-term service to the 687 meters it supports across Virgelle, Colony Bay, Big Sandy, and Hopp-Iliad.
To the team that completed this technical, high-stakes work - thank you. And to our members, we appreciate your continued patience, support and trust in Hill County Electric.