Transmission Tower Collapse and Resulting New Orleans Power Outage

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mbrooke

mbrooke

Batteries Included
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Technician
mbrooke said:
If ever.

These towers typically make it through high winds.

Awful outcome, but A tragedy averted, A hospital in Thibodaux lost power in its ICU to where patients had to be mechanically ventilated while transferred to another portion of the hospital that still had functioning emergency power.

https://www.wwltv.com/article/weath...tage/289-1daf9ede-6cfb-4086-8108-30a4656ea9b4
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so you've somewhat a real world example of what you've been saddled to EE then MBrooke???

~RJ~
 
Saw one report out of Grand Isle a peak of 172mph wind. Not sure any of the towers are designed for that much wind. Saw some pictures of the towers collapse, a twisted mangled mess.
 
Fred B said:
Saw one report out of Grand Isle a peak of 172mph wind. Not sure any of the towers are designed for that much wind. Saw some pictures of the towers collapse, a twisted mangled mess.
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Alright, it looks like the were able to blackstart the East New Orleans generating station (Michoud)? and restore a few customers.

This is one the reasons I was asking about Islanded systems a while back. I think this is the only practical way during such widespread damage to and around a load pocket New Orleans.



www.wdsu.com

‘Beacon of hope for whole region’: Power restored to more areas in New Orleans, Entergy says

A bright light in dark times was a welcome relief for parts of New Orleans.
www.wdsu.com www.wdsu.com
 
Fred B said:
Saw one report out of Grand Isle a peak of 172mph wind. Not sure any of the towers are designed for that much wind. Saw some pictures of the towers collapse, a twisted mangled mess.
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Was that measured on the ground or estimated from satellite data? Winds aloft are typically much higher than what you see on the ground. Also, could have been a tornado. Hurricanes are known to spawn them.
 
Looks like the plant that did is a new gas plant:


www.wwltv.com

Entergy NO CEO: New power plant could get electricity back to hospitals in 3 days, 'God willing.'

Entergy saw all eight of those entry points, which are like superhighways of electricity go down in Hurricane Ida.
www.wwltv.com www.wwltv.com

https://imgur.com/Fy0NAZn

Looking at old public docs it appears like Michoud (shown just to the South) has 3 GSUs rated 300MVA, 135MVA and 640MVA.

1630501361227.png


Nine Mile has at least one 208MVA and two 870MVA rated generators.

1630501419776.png

1630501443576.png

This does not count new generator add-ons. So we are looking at least 2,500MW of power right here, taking into account additions and new generation we are looking at upwards of 4,000 or more MW of power. A strong Island is diffidently doable capable of significant restoration within New Orleans.

This is why I think local generation with at least some black-start is so important. he 115 and 230kv lines going through NOLA have less exposure relative to longer lines outside the city and being in sidewalk/roadway easements means rapid restoration options at first thought.

This is one the reasons I was asking about Islanded systems a while back. I think this is the only practical way to restore power during such widespread damage to and around a load pocket like New Orleans.
 
210901-0841 EDT

In my town, Ann arbor, MI, the main campus of the University of Michigan has its own power plant. This alone is not sufficient to supply all U of M facilities. This is almost across the street from the Main Hospital. However, there also may be some local backup at the hospital. The North Campus which is just across the river from Main Campus has two Detroit Edison substations feeding from different sides of the city. Further there is another power station on North Campus that can provide adequate power for biomedical experiments. Beyond this there are a number of megawatt diesel generators. I expect that the computer center has its own backup.

In my neighborhood there are about 5 homes out of 30, same block, with backup generators. More should have generators. Sometimes I feed power to one of these without a generator. I used to help my next door neighbor, but recently he got his own generator.

I have heard comments by some people that the power company should do whatever is necessary to prevent loss of power from ever occurring. They clearly have no understanding of the real world.

.
 
gar said:
but recently he got his own generator.

I have heard comments by some people that the power company should do whatever is necessary to prevent loss of power from ever occurring. They clearly have no understanding of the real world.

.
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I think they have some level of understanding. I mean look at it like this: if people can afford total home generators in greater numbers and the fuel to run them, they are technically willing (and are) paying more (much more) for fail safe power.

I think as outages become more frequent (as they have been according to research) people will begin to become more open to the idea of letting someone else take care of the grid instead of them operating and maintaining their own grid at home.
 
210901-0944 EDT

mbrooke:

There is no need for a whole house generator. You need enough power to cover critical needs.

I have a 5 kW unit, and that is enough for my basic requirements.

Anyone in my neighborhood can afford a generator. In neighborhoods where that cost is too high, then sharing can be done. My generator does not need to run continuously to supply my needs. Its size is more based on required starting current. I can easily run my house on an average of 1 kW. With a 5 kW generator I can do most things I would normally do, and only have to stagger operating time a small amount. An axe, knife, some traps, and a gun were sufficient for my great-great grandfather..

My great-great, and great grandfathers got along with no electricity. My great-great grandfather with no roads, only trails, and canoes.

.
 
mbrooke said:
Looks like the plant that did is a new gas plant:


www.wwltv.com

Entergy NO CEO: New power plant could get electricity back to hospitals in 3 days, 'God willing.'

Entergy saw all eight of those entry points, which are like superhighways of electricity go down in Hurricane Ida.
www.wwltv.com www.wwltv.com

https://imgur.com/Fy0NAZn

Looking at old public docs it appears like Michoud (shown just to the South) has 3 GSUs rated 300MVA, 135MVA and 640MVA.

View attachment 2557718


Nine Mile has at least one 208MVA and two 870MVA rated generators.

View attachment 2557719

View attachment 2557720

This does not count new generator add-ons. So we are looking at least 2,500MW of power right here, taking into account additions and new generation we are looking at upwards of 4,000 or more MW of power. A strong Island is diffidently doable capable of significant restoration within New Orleans.

This is why I think local generation with at least some black-start is so important. he 115 and 230kv lines going through NOLA have less exposure relative to longer lines outside the city and being in sidewalk/roadway easements means rapid restoration options at first thought.

This is one the reasons I was asking about Islanded systems a while back. I think this is the only practical way to restore power during such widespread damage to and around a load pocket like New Orleans.
Click to expand...
Not for nothing, but how the heck to you get ahold of these one-lines? I would think they fall under the category of sensitive infrastructure and are privileged information, not for public dissemination.
 
gadfly56 said:
Not for nothing, but how the heck to you get ahold of these one-lines? I would think they fall under the category of sensitive infrastructure and are privileged information, not for public dissemination.
Click to expand...

As I said from public docs.

ISOs and state officials will frequently disclose details deemed necessary.

Once in public domain such information is no longer considered CEII.
 
gadfly56 said:
Not for nothing, but how the heck to you get ahold of these one-lines? I would think they fall under the category of sensitive infrastructure and are privileged information, not for public dissemination.
Click to expand...

For example, see page 9 where the CT government disclosed a single line breaker diagram for the state of Connecticut for a project effecting the public and its interest:



And the ISO for that state releasing generator diagrams for open phase detection as part of a major project effecting the state:

https://www.iso-ne.com/static-asset...otection_system_ppa_withdrawal_dem_16_t01.zip

Technically any time tax money is involved information must be disclosed otherwise it will be in villoation of several laws including the US Constitution.
 
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