Field Day: Understanding Energy Transmission
In tonight’s episode of Bringing Energy to Life, News Five joins a team of technicians as they venture into a marshy area along the George Price Highway where inspections are being done to determine the state of its power poles. We also learn more about energy transmission. Here’s News Five’s Isani Cayetano with that story.
Isani Cayetano, Reporting
It is midmorning, and just outside of the Eight Mile Community, a team of technicians from BEL’s Transmission Department is in the field carrying out an inspection of power poles. With an all terrain vehicle, they go off road and traverse an area that is virtually unreachable by foot.
Glenford Davis
Glenford Davis, Senior Technician, B.E.L.
“The terrain sometimes is very unique. Some days it’s flat and some days it’s water, mud. But it’s all good, going pole to pole doing the inspections for maintenance work.
Glenford Davis, a senior technician, carries with him a tool that he uses to tap each pole. He then gives a brief description to a colleague who jots down what was observed at that location. Together, they are among several three-man teams that are tasked with conducting inspections along the transmission line.
What is Electricity Transmission?
Robert Castillo
Robert Castillo, Engineer, B.E.L.
“Electricity transmission is where we use high voltage transmission lines to move power from where it’s generated over to where the load is, and that’s typically the houses and businesses. The purpose of electricity transmission is to move electricity from where it’s generated and move that power through transmission lines over to our substations and then and whereby we then distribute it to different houses.”
Using a drone, another technician is able to do an aerial assessment of the power poles. This annual exercise determines how many will need to be repaired or replaced and where. Darrel Lynch has been with BEL for the past six years. It’s his responsibility to pilot the drone and record his observations.
Darrel Lynch
Darrel Lynch, Technician II, B.E.L.
“We just implemented the drone program and with that program we are able to better have a bird’s eye view of the pole for inspections and the surrounding areas, meaning vegetation. So with the drone, it allows us to have a more in-depth view as to how serious bird holes are on the pole, how serious the pole head is rotten, and certain aspects that you can’t see from the ground, meaning the cross arm, if you have any issues as it being split. Mainly those we use the drone for.”
It’s a process that is repeated over the course of six months, as the inspection crews about their assignment. These men are not only exposed to the elements, they also have near brushes with wildlife.
Glenford Davis
“Sometimes it’s really challenging, especially in the hills. Where we don’t have machines we have to use our feet to walk and traverse the terrain. We encounter all different challenges and sometimes we encounter snakes. We have seen jaguars, we have seen peccary, deer, all kinds of things out there in the field while doing our job.”
Isani Cayetano
“And I presume that when you’re in the marshes, like where we were earlier, perhaps crocodiles from time to time.”
Glenford Davis
“Yes. We have seen large ones and small ones as well.”
So, just how far-reaching is BEL’s transmission network?
How Extensive is BEL’s Transmission Network?
Robert Castillo
“The network is quite expansive. We have transmission lines, we have three different voltage levels. We have the 115KV transmission line, we have the 69KV transmission line, we have 34.5KV transmission line. So our 115KV transmission line is our backbone. It goes from the border with Mexico, all the way down to the dams in the Cayo District. Then we have our 69KV transmission line that stems from the middle of the country or central zone, going all the way to the southern portion of the country to the Toledo District. Then our 34KV transmission line, typically we mainly use that for transmitting power to the islands, to San Pedro.”
Assessing and maintaining these power poles is a job that keeps Lynch and his team on their feet. It has afforded him an exposure he wouldn’t otherwise get inside an office.
Darrel Lynch
“At the beginning, when I first came here, it was exciting. Up to now, it’s still exciting. I’m someone who tends to prefer being outdoors, not much of an office person, but I do have days when I have to be in the office and do office work. Now being out here, it expanded my horizon on the world aspect because I didn’t travel much, but being out here I get to travel, meet new people see new things, go to new places, have new experiences. So, it’s pretty exciting.”
How is BEL Improving Its Transmission Infrastructure?
Robert Castillo
“Right now, we have three main projects in the pipeline. We have the new 115KV transmission line from La Democracia to the Dangriga Substation. We have another 115KV line that would be coming to Belize City and we have another submarine cable that will provide power to the island of Ambergris Caye. So these new projects will increase our reliability. What that means is that you can expect less outages and it will provide more readily available power for these areas.”
Energy transmission is the most basic function of global energy interconnection. It is the movement of energy from its place of generation to a location where it is applied to perform useful work.
How Does Energy Transmission Contribute to National Development
Robert Castillo
“Power is crucial for national development. Most things, as you know, run off of electric power. So this is crucial for national development. Having reliable power is crucial to national development, it literally gives you the energy, it literally gives businesses the energy, and people the energy to do different daily tasks and makes your life easier.”
Isani Cayetano for News Five.
