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SSEN seeks feedback on grid upgrades

Posted: Fri Apr 14, 2023 12:59 pm
by dan_b

Re: SSEN seeks feedback on grid upgrades

Posted: Fri Apr 14, 2023 2:46 pm
by CrofterMannie
Yeah, it goes through our parish. There was an initial consultation last year and I'm sure it will come up at next week's community council meeting!

We also have the Knocknagael to Tomatin reinforcement which was done a couple of years ago and has resulted in a few issues for some people. We had a really interesting meeting with SSE engineers where they explained some of the issues with noise and how they are trying to sort it.

Re: SSEN seeks feedback on grid upgrades

Posted: Mon Apr 17, 2023 9:43 am
by dan_b
Noise from the cables, or transformers/switch gear? Or the construction noise?

Re: SSEN seeks feedback on grid upgrades

Posted: Mon Apr 17, 2023 1:56 pm
by renewablejohn
CrofterMannie wrote: Fri Apr 14, 2023 2:46 pm Yeah, it goes through our parish. There was an initial consultation last year and I'm sure it will come up at next week's community council meeting!

We also have the Knocknagael to Tomatin reinforcement which was done a couple of years ago and has resulted in a few issues for some people. We had a really interesting meeting with SSE engineers where they explained some of the issues with noise and how they are trying to sort it.
Are they upgrading an existing line. I have a 275kv line within 60mtrs of the farmhouse which I am ok with as its squarely in the yellow zone on the red yellow green scale for health living next door to pylons. Not been told officially yet but looking on National Grid interactive map upto 2030 our line is marked as 400kv which puts us truly in the red health zone. Just wondering if any of your locals are affected in a similar manner and if so what sort of compensation package is being discussed.

Re: SSEN seeks feedback on grid upgrades

Posted: Mon Apr 17, 2023 9:24 pm
by CrofterMannie
dan_b wrote: Mon Apr 17, 2023 9:43 am Noise from the cables, or transformers/switch gear? Or the construction noise?
There are 2 separate cases.
One is the insulators, on one pylon the topography funnels wind in exactly the right direction to cause a loud whistling. It's a known, but rare, issue and should be solved by using a different shape of insulator on that one pylon (but they need to shut the line down to change them and national grid wouldn't allow lines to be shut in winter).
The other issue is a noise that comes from the jumper cables on a different pylon. They have done a bunch of research and think it is ionisation caused by an irregular surface caused by water droplets under certain weather conditions. They are going to change the jumper cables but, again, that requires shutting the line for 1-2 months, only then will we see if they are right.

Re: SSEN seeks feedback on grid upgrades

Posted: Mon Apr 17, 2023 9:30 pm
by CrofterMannie
renewablejohn wrote: Mon Apr 17, 2023 1:56 pm
Are they upgrading an existing line. I have a 275kv line within 60mtrs of the farmhouse which I am ok with as its squarely in the yellow zone on the red yellow green scale for health living next door to pylons. Not been told officially yet but looking on National Grid interactive map upto 2030 our line is marked as 400kv which puts us truly in the red health zone. Just wondering if any of your locals are affected in a similar manner and if so what sort of compensation package is being discussed.
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The line they did a couple of years ago was removing an existing 132kv line and replacing it with a 275kv line.

The Beauly to Peterhead line mentioned is a brand new 400kv line.
In our section there are no houses closer than about 60m and I've never heard of compensation being offered.