We all use electric energy but not all of us try to understand how it appears in our houses. Let’s visit the main distribution complex of the Samara region (the International Distribution Internetwork of the Volga) to check it out.

Some electric networks have voltage 220-1150 kV. Such high figures are necessary to minimize losses of energy while its tranfer at long distances. As a rule in the cities they use distribution networks with voltage 110 kV or lower, such networks serve the International Distribution Internetwork of the Volga either. Then they are transformed into 6 or 10 kW that go to substations located in the yards of houses where voltage is lowered up to 220 V.

Digital communications centre. The screen displays all Samara energy objects. Colors identify types of voltage. If it’s white it means it’s inactive being repaired or turned off.

Close type substation 110kV “Botanicheskaya” (“Botanic”). It’s a switch point on the photo. From here wires of aerial conductors go underground and stretch to the substation 100 m away from here.

Close type substations are more suitable for cities.

Substation building. There are no people here. Sometimes maintenance teams come here for inspectation and repair works. There are many devices working without participation of people. It’s even scary to think that you may leave and these machines will do anything they want…

Close distribution facilities. Here we may see how the wires from the underground reach the substation.

Disconnectors. They are used to turn some areas off for their maintenance. They work automatically being safe for personnel.

Current transformer

Disconnectors close-up

SF 6 circuit-breakers are used for turning off current burden in case of shorts. They also keep the main substation equipment safe.

Transformator

Current transformed into 6kW is transferred to the next room where it is distributed.

Here users are connected to the network. One cell-line for one user (trading centre, plant or a housing estate). From here the current will go underground under the voltage of 6kV. The substation is new so many lines are still inactive.

Connectors

“Grounded”

And this is Novokuibyshevsk, a new substation of open type 110kV “Tsentralnaya” (“Central”). It supplies the larger part of the city and big industrial enterprises with energy.

Network transformer. There are two of them here. Each is 40 000 kV-A powerful.

In general it is similar to the system of the close type substation.

“Sealed”

Electro-gas switches

General view of the substation

Current limiting coils

Substation control house

Cells

Contacts

Safety goes first! There hasn’t been a single case of injury at the enterprise for the last years. And it’s very cool. It’s the result of hard work and high skills of the personnel and prevention measures among the population.

Substation mimic diagram

The person on duty may change blocks positions, what’s very convenient to understand the current situation.

These people like what they do and may tell you for hours about electricity…

Location: the Samara region

via sv-bob