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- 3,000 inspections have been carried out at substations, 19,000 at distribution centers, and 13,000 km of lines have been inspected.
- The digitalization and reinforcement of the distribution network enhance its resilience to increasingly frequent extreme weather events.
- Investments in network maintenance and expansion are combined with emergency plans to address extreme events.
This year, Endesa has allocated 33 million euros to strengthen and maintain the distribution network as part of its Winter Campaign, preparing facilities to cope with increased consumption due to low temperatures and the impact that adverse weather conditions such as frost, snow, floods, or strong winds may have on the power grid.
Specifically, this year more than 13,000 km of medium- and high-voltage lines have been inspected, over 3,000 inspections have been carried out at substations and 19,000 at distribution centers, along with tree pruning and clearing around 12,000 km of overhead lines.
With a network of 319,000 km, many of them overhead, spanning an area of approximately 195,500 km², the electricity infrastructure managed by e-distribución, Endesa’s distribution subsidiary, is exposed to harsh weather conditions. These challenges are addressed through investments in network reinforcement and digitalization, as well as emergency plans to handle extreme weather phenomena.
During the DANA storm that hit large areas of the Mediterranean, Andalusia, and Aragón last October, e-distribución mobilized more than 800 workers to manage incidents and restore service as quickly as possible in various areas affected by the storm in Andalusia, Extremadura, Catalonia, Aragón, and the Balearic Islands, where it operates the distribution network. During this exceptional weather event, more than 40 generators were used to restore power in towns where access difficulties delayed repairs.
Just a year earlier, Storm Bernard, with winds exceeding 140 km/h, knocked down 287 power towers, broke more than 300 cables, and caused 98 trees to fall on e-distribución’s power infrastructure in Andalusia—another example of the increasing impact of extreme weather events on the electricity network.
Prevent, Prepare, and Respond
To address this type of emergency, Endesa’s network subsidiary applies a strategy based on four pillars: risk prevention, preparation, recovery, and response.
The prevention measures are applied from the outset, during the design and construction of infrastructures, and continue with ongoing maintenance and inspection efforts to minimize the impact of weather events on the grid. One example is the technical pruning of trees to prevent the falling of branches or trees onto the lines during strong winds.
Preparation actions include the use of predictive weather models and measures to monitor the grid and anticipate possible supply interruptions.
Once the arrival of an extreme weather event is confirmed, the response is organized. Thanks to the automatic grid management systems available at the five Endesa distribution centers, the systems that control the grid 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, the grid’s status can be evaluated in minutes and acted upon remotely to resolve issues much more quickly.
Automated electrical equipment located in grid sections operates autonomously, semi-autonomously, or under the command of experts. The main goal of this phase is to restore the power supply as soon as possible (in minutes) through alternative electrical routes. Affected or fallen sections are also electrically isolated to avoid risks.
In other cases, it is necessary to dispatch maintenance technicians to the area to repair the issues. Work is carried out in collaboration with other emergency services, coordinating response efforts and reinforcing the teams with units working on the ground to restore the supply.
Another key element is the installation of generators in areas where repairs are expected to take longer due to the extent of the damage or difficulties in accessing the location.
In the case of a major incident, the priority is always to restore and secure the service to customers who are especially sensitive due to their activities: hospitals, emergency services, police, or water supplies.
Digitization to Increase Resilience
Digitization is one of the most effective measures to enhance the resilience of the grid against extreme weather events. For this reason, increasing the number of remote control devices on the grid, known as telecommanders, and the digitization and sensorization of the grid for remote monitoring and management are some of the investment priorities outlined by Endesa in its strategic plan for the next three years, which includes an investment of 4 billion euros dedicated to distribution networks.
This ambitious investment plan is combined with a focus on innovation through projects like Resisto, the pioneering initiative in Europe that is being tested in the Doñana National and Natural Park, to reduce the impact of extreme weather events on the electrical grid using artificial intelligence and the latest technologies.
