AUTOMATED LASER BIRD DETERRENT PG&E’S EXPERIENCE AT 500 KV SUBSTATIONS
This month’s Featured Technical Paper is from the Proceedings of the 2022 International Conference of Doble Clients. The paper is titled: Automated Laser Bird Deterrent PG&E’s Experience At 500 KV Substations.
Abstract
Pacific Gas & Electric has a long history of challenges caused by large flocks of European starlings at certain substations. Of highest priority for grid reliability are the 500 kV series capacitors at three substations in the central valley of Northern California. Over the years, PG&E has tried a variety of mitigation approaches, with mixed to little long-term success at eliminating the starling flocks. Our latest approach using automated lasers was piloted in April 2019, with the third installation completed in May 2022. This paper highlights the design and operational aspects of the laser system, discusses performance results and starling behavior, and includes experience with maintaining the automated lasers.
Doble Service Agreement Clients
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