Crews working for Vectren will soon begin work on a project to replace existing steel static wire running along transmission lines in Vanderburgh County, which is intended to expand communication capability between existing electric substations and improve data collection and system performance in Vectren’s transmission system. A helicopter will suspend a two-man crew in the air to complete work on the segment of the transmission line. The project will consist of replacing approximately eight miles of cable running along the north side of Evansville, N. First Avenue and ending on the west side of Evansville. This project will begin the week of Nov. 13 and is expected to last through the end of November.
“We will now be able to interconnect instantly with our transmission lines where we’ve traditionally relied on land lines and mobile devices,†said Brad Ellsworth, president of Vectren Energy Delivery of Indiana-South. “Making such enhancements to our technology in the field helps further improve the service our customers receive.â€
Enhancing the older steel wire with new fiber optic static cable allows for more prompt, efficient communication between substations when electric service lines are out or malfunctioning and provides real-time two-way communication back to Vectren’s control centers from the field. Using helicopter assistance reduces impact to residential and commercial properties that lie within the project’s path.
Additional benefits customers can expect from the fiber optic wire replacement projects include:
- Faster outage restoration, through real-time identification of equipment issues and outages
- Improved overall power quality and reliability
- Enhanced capabilities for physical and cyber security of assets within the Vectren South system
This project is part of the company’s seven-year improvement plan to enhance reliability and modernize our electric infrastructure. The plan, part of the company’s Smart Energy Future strategy, includes upgrades to portions of Vectren’s network of substations, transmission and distribution networks that serve seven counties in southwestern Indiana. The plan features more than 800 projects and is estimated to cost $450 million over the plan’s seven-year period. Customers can learn more about Vectren’s grid modernization plan a
