Ghostrider Posted October 27, 2011 Report Share Posted October 27, 2011 Except that the Hydro guy reckoned the substation on a hill had nowt to do with it.... Well, he would say that, wouldn't he. It was his job not to take the blame. ....and that they didn't have power in North Roe either ... Now, that bit certainly had nothing to do with it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JustMe Posted December 8, 2011 Author Report Share Posted December 8, 2011 The third major power outage here in eight days........then there was a planned power cut for maintenance and at least one more outage of unknown duration. Think I must ask Tavish if this is considered acceptable and if not then what is he going to do about it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shetlandpeat Posted December 8, 2011 Report Share Posted December 8, 2011 You should address the share holders. They are the ones who will have to pay to upgrade and make secure the supply, but hang on, overhead lines are known for their faults, especially in extreme weather. It would be a huge cost to install underground cables, as we have heard from the Viking thread, disturbing the peat is also bad for the environment.OH lines are the cheapest option. There has always been power cuts in Lerwick, I remember them many years ago. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JustMe Posted December 8, 2011 Author Report Share Posted December 8, 2011 Underground cables also have their problems when it comes to repairing them and are indeed not the best option. And indeed three power outages in eight days may be reasonable. But then again maybe not. Weather here today was windy but not extreme by Shetland standards. I think that the Hydro need to ensure that their network is robust enough to stand up to reasonably expected weather conditions and that they, and following on from that they and their shareholders, should suffer if they do not ensure that their network will do this. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spinner72 Posted December 8, 2011 Report Share Posted December 8, 2011 As I have said before, probably only a few pages back, the thing is that we could no doubt have a rock solid reinforced network, but we, not the shareholders, would end up paying for it. Currently, electricity is affordable to most, an outages are really extremely rare. Certainly less than once a week on average which I think is pretty impressive. Sure, during bad weather the frequencies increase but thats neither the Hydro's fault nor problem. For those to whom a power supply is critical, generators available and are relatively inexpensive (most businesses, for example, would cover the cost of a generator by maintaining only a few days work). In an ideal world, there would be options, but I fear no matter how much you may be willing to pay there will only be one network in Shetland, and I, for one, would rather pay less and have the odd evening with a Tilly lamp then a fortune for something that, for the vast majority of customers, isn't really a necessity. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paulb Posted December 9, 2011 Report Share Posted December 9, 2011 well done the power guys for keeping the power on. thank you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ghostrider Posted December 9, 2011 Report Share Posted December 9, 2011 Underground cables also have their problems when it comes to repairing them and are indeed not the best option. I couldn't disagree more.The only reason underground cabling isn't the best option and is difficult to repair is that its laid to the most basic and cheapest options possible. Throwing it in a trench and covering it with sand and a layer of yellow polythene is as basic as it gets, and a nightmare to locate faults and access for repair. Lay conduits with inspection/maintenance access at regular intervals, feed the cable through, end of. Instantly found, tested, and any given section containing a fault easily bypassed with jumpers, leaving it to be easily repaired as normal work rather than an emergency repair in the black of night during a tempest. I know the Hydro have repeatedly shot the idea down on the grounds of not being cost effective, I don't believe a word of it, not now that the Water Board could justify laying a main from the Sandy Loch to the Ness. Exactly the same trench and water pipe they installed would do fine as a conduit for the main line south, and had the Hydro and Water Board been trying joined up thinking and gotten their heads together, two pipes could have been put in the Water Board's trench, giving the Water Board a cheaper main, and the Hydro a very cheap underground line to the Ness. I not knocking the guys who keep the power station going, nor the guys who turn out regardless of time, day or weather and get whatever line, sub-station, pole, transformer or whatever has fallen in shi*e put back together again ASAP. Its a job for neither man nor beast more often than not, and they do the best they can with it, often more, but its despite the crap the management expect them to keep servicable, not because of it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JustMe Posted December 9, 2011 Author Report Share Posted December 9, 2011 If the three outages (plus one of unknown duration) in eight days are just an unfortunate coincidence then I guess I have to live with it. If it is symptomatic of how rubbish the Hydro network is in my area then I do not think it is unreasonable to expect them to do whatever is necessary to make it better. After all a friend of mine living in part of England where high winds are not unheard of and lightning is common tells me she has not had a power cut for many years. Will certainly join with others in praising the guys who work in atrocious conditions to fix faults and in fact I will also praise them for doing routine work outdoors when conditions are bad. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mappyboodles Posted December 9, 2011 Report Share Posted December 9, 2011 If the three outages (plus one of unknown duration) in eight days are just an unfortunate coincidence then I guess I have to live with it. Hey Ho... Island life is a bitch. After all a friend of mine living in part of England where high winds are not unheard of and lightning is common tells me she has not had a power cut for many years. Hmm.... ever thought of moving! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JustMe Posted December 9, 2011 Author Report Share Posted December 9, 2011 Not moving but am thinking of an uninterruptable power supply for the computer. And maybe getting some more candles. Just heard that the Hydro are blaming flying debris for some of the recent power cuts. Just hope that once they have completed repairs from the current stormy weather they send engineers out to inspect all the lines for any damage that might not have led to an outage this time but has potential to cause problems in the future. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Skunnered Posted December 9, 2011 Report Share Posted December 9, 2011 Not moving but am thinking of an uninterruptable power supply for the computer. And maybe getting some more candles. Excellent idea! But I'm a bit puzzled how you intend to provide un-interruptible power for your computer from the candles? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JustMe Posted December 9, 2011 Author Report Share Posted December 9, 2011 Candles heat water, make steam, drive turbine, drive generator, power computer.......QED. Or maybe I will just buy a UPS from Amazon. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
groilick Posted December 9, 2011 Report Share Posted December 9, 2011 Whet greetin - you dunna ken hoo weel aff you ir an tink aboot da puir buggers dat hae tae geng oot an fix da wires an clim da poles in da hert o a moorie.http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-16110349 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stilldellin Posted December 24, 2011 Report Share Posted December 24, 2011 Wid u believe it, Christmas Eve and power aff at Scatness since aboot 3pm. Just blyde we still hae da paet fire ! :-http://i1207.photobucket.com/albums/bb479/beenister/Christmas2011.jpg Think auld puss thinks da sam ! ( doot da turkey in jeopardy )....... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stevo Posted December 24, 2011 Report Share Posted December 24, 2011 Yun is an absolute cracker oh a picture, well done! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Please sign in to comment
You will be able to leave a comment after signing in
Sign In Now