Kentucky Utilities Co. strategic storage locations cut power downtime for mountain community
The Kentucky Utilities Co. tackled a critical logistical challenge when a remote mountain community suffered a transformer outage during a hot weekend late this summer.
The community of Lynch, Ky. lost power on a Friday afternoon in August, leaving more than 550 customers without electricity going into a weekend with high temperatures forecast. Onsite crews from the Substation Construction and Maintenance Department (SC&M) determined the failed transformer unsuitable for service and began arranging for the transportation of a spare unit from Pineville, Ky.
Working through the night with only lights powered by a portable generator, teams consisting of approximately six employees plus several contractors used a crane to remove the failed transformer and install the replacement unit. The new transformer came online at approximately 4 A.M., with the dedicated crew logging a remarkably quick turnaround time for a remote location on the side of a mountain.
“We have more spare transformers in strategic locations that help cut several hours off a replacement like this,” Koller said. “Having to mobilize and load a transformer in Lexington and then making a four-hour drive to Lynch, as opposed to loading and making the one-hour drive from Pineville, saved a lot of customer outage minutes.”
