The decanter allows the water to be either discarded if it meets regulatory discharge limits or returned to the pit or another containment area.
The decanter allows the water to be either discarded if it meets regulatory discharge limits or returned to the pit or another containment area.
Photo by Creative Composites Group.
Pultruded composite utility poles, custom fabricated to meet needed strength and stiffness requirements.
Tim Greenwood, who was featured in a 2018 T&D World Lifeline department, now runs his own line contracting company.
Tim Greenwood, who was featured in a 2018 T&D World Lifeline department, now runs his own line contracting company.

Mission Possible: WAPA Crews Restore Power in Islands

Oct. 27, 2017
Western Area Power Administration and local utility crews from the USVI Water and Power Authority have partnered in a systematic approach

Since Hurricane Maria hit the U.S. Virgin Islands in September, Western Area Power Administration and local utility crews from the USVI Water and Power Authority have partnered in a systematic approach to restore power. It is not a simple process, according to Mark Gabriel, CEO of WAPA. Rough terrain, unseen safety hazards and extensive infrastructure damage from the impacts of Hurricanes Irma and Maria complicate the effort.

WAPA deployed 25 transmission line experts and a fleet of 10 vehicles to St. Thomas. Since Sept. 26, the crews have been working seven days a week, from sunrise to sunset, in hot, humid conditions to fix the island’s electrical backbone. In partnership with USVI power authority contract staff, they are setting poles and getting transmission line conductors back in the air. The effort takes a toll on personnel and involves a significant amount of time to repair due to the magnitude of damage.

"Our crews’ priority is to restore the transmission lines between St. Thomas substations. The transmission system feeds the island’s distribution system. It is also the bridge to power restoration on St. John," Gabriel said. "Once the crews finish repairs to the transmission line and re-energize East End Substation, the submarine cable that delivers power from St. Thomas to St. John can be restored."

About the Author

Nikki Chandler | Group Editorial Director, Energy

Nikki has 28 years of experience as an award-winning business-to-business editor, with 23 years of it covering the electric utility industry. She started out as an editorial intern with T&D World while finishing her degree, then joined Mobile Radio Technology and RF Design magazines. She returned to T&D World as an online editor in 2002 and now leads the content for EnergyTech, Microgrid Knowledge and T&D World media brands and supports Endeavor’s energy events, Microgrid Knowledge and T&D World Live. She has contributed to several publications over the past 25 years, including Waste Age, Wireless Review, Power Electronics Technology, and Arkansas Times. She graduated Phi Beta Kappa with a B.S. in journalism from the University of Kansas.

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