Tag: HEA
HEA Experiences Peninsula Wide Outage
by Joe Gallagher
Homer Electric Association (HEA) members experienced a system wide power outage late Monday afternoon.
The outage started at 4:15 pm when a fault occurred on a high voltage transmission line that runs from the Bradley Lake Hydroelectric Plant through Homer and on to Soldotna.
The fault appeared to take place somewhere between Bradley Lake and Diamond Ridge in Homer. The incident was serious enough to create a loss of voltage on the entire HEA system and resulted in an outage from Kachemak Bay north to Nikiski.
HEA was able to restore power to Nikiski, Kenai, Beaver Creek, Ridgeway, and Sterling by 5:45 pm and had restoration to the rest of the HEA system completed at 8:25 pm.
The duration and size of the outage was compounded by the fact that there are two transmission related construction projects underway. A small section of the transmission line between Soldotna and Funny River is out of service due to construction work at the HEA substation in Soldotna. In addition, both HEA and Chugach Electric are working on the transmission system between Soldotna and Cooper Landing. This situation complicated and delayed the restoration efforts from Soldotna south to Homer.
An overflight of the transmission line between Bradley Lake and Homer failed to locate any obvious cause for the fault on the line. Possibilities include a lightning strike, a tree on the line or a possible bird contact. HEA will continue to investigate the cause of the outage.
High Winds Causing Multiple Power Outages along the Peninsula
by Joe Gallagher
Sunday, June 1, 10:00 am – HEA crews completed restoration work related to Saturday’s wind storm at approximately 5:30 am Sunday. HEA would like to thank its members for their patience during the storm-related outages. If you do not have power at this time please call the outage hotline at 1-888-8OUTAGE.
Saturday, May 31, Noon – HEA crews are responding to a large number of power outages today. The outages are the result of strong winds that are continuing to hit the Kenai Peninsula this afternoon. As of noon there are approximately 4,000 HEA members without power. Outage areas include:
- Large section of the City of Soldotna
- Forest Drive/St. Theresa (between Soldotna and Sterling)
- Skyline Drive (Soldotna)
- Strawberry Road (Soldotna)
- Aliak/Magic Ave. (Kenai)
- Halibut Cove
- Nikiski area (Holt Lamplight, Swanson River Oil Field)
- Riverview Ave./Kobuk area (Soldotna)
- Tote Road area (near Kasilof)
In addition to these outages, there are several smaller scattered outages across the Peninsula. HEA crews are working to restore power as soon as possible, but due to the number of outages and the strong winds, the duration of the outages is likely to be extended.
If you do not have power, please call the outage hotline at 1-888-8OUTAGE.
HEA Taking Precautions as Funny River Fire Grows
by Joe Gallagher
May 24, 2014 – 4:00am – As the Funny River Fire continues to expand, Homer Electric Association (HEA) is taking precautions to protect its transmission lines and continue to provide power to its members.
Friday evening, the fire was very close to two transmission lines that are located between Kasilof and Soldotna, just west of the fire and east of the Sterling Highway.
As a precautionary step, HEA de-energized the transmission line closest to the fire perimeter on Thursday. Prior to the action, HEA reconfigured its electrical system so de-energizing the line had no impact on service to HEA members.
The second transmission line is located closer to the Sterling Highway and further from the fire. However, on Friday evening the fire advanced quickly and it was necessary to de-energize a section of that line between Kasilof and Soldotna. The proactive decision to de-energize the line before the fire potentially burned into it was made in consultation with the Incident Management Team.
The work required a brief ten minute outage at 3:01 am on Saturday that affected the City of Soldotna, Funny River Road, K-Beach Road from Soldotna around to Helmsman Avenue, and the Sterling Highway in Soldotna to just past Skyview High School.
The switching work went smoothly and power was restored to all the affected areas by 3:11 am.
Fire conditions will determine future decisions and HEA will continue to work cooperatively with the Incident Management Team.
HEA will provide updates on its web site, Facebook page, and local media outlets while fire suppression efforts are underway.
For additional information, please call Joe Gallagher at 907-283-2324 jgallagher@homerelectric.com
HEA Updates on Funny River Fire
by Joe Gallagher
HEA monitoring Funny River Fire
Homer Electric Association (HEA) is closely monitoring the Funny River Fire and its proximity to HEA transmission lines and other facilities.
As of Wednesday evening the fire has not impacted any HEA structures and there has been no disruption in service to HEA members.
The primary concern at this time is two high voltage transmission lines that are located between Kasilof and Soldotna, just west of the fire and east of the Sterling Highway.
HEA personnel flew over the fire area Tuesday evening and the fire appeared to be about four miles east of the transmission lines. A fly over was conducted Wednesday morning, but smoke and haze made it difficult to get a current assessment of the fire relative to HEA’s structures.
A flight is scheduled for Wednesday evening to get an updated view of the boundaries of the fire and any potential threat to HEA transmission lines.
At this time, HEA has no plans to disrupt service. Fire conditions will determine future decisions regarding potential service disruptions. If the fire activity poses a threat to the transmission lines or distribution lines, it is likely there will be power outages in the affected areas.
HEA is working closely with the Incident Management Team that is managing fire suppression operations and will assist in efforts to mitigate potential disruption of electrical service to members.
HEA will provide updates on its web site, Facebook page, and local media outlets while fire suppression efforts are underway.
For additional information, please call Joe Gallagher at 907-283-2324 jgallagher@homerelectric.com
Seldovia Time
