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Letter to the Editor: Misunderstandings
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I am writing this letter to clear up the numerous misstatements in regards to the city’s plans to further study the undergrounding of electricity on Marco Island. I have had over 40 years of experience in providing material for underground electric distribution systems. One of the biggest misunderstandings is the ability of underground systems to function in wet or flooded conditions.
Underground electric systems have been used to supply residential areas for over 50 years. Utilities in the United States have spent half of their investment in the past 13 years alone on installing underground systems. Presently 30 percent of the country is underground.
Florida Power and Light, serving half of Florida, has 40 percent of its system underground – with much of this within flood areas. The underground cable being proposed for Marco Island consists of fully waterproofed EPR cable (ethylene propylene rubber). This cable has proven to be the most reliable of all cable systems for this application. Its record over the past 50 years has been outstanding, with very few water related failures. Such cable is used in submarine crossings where they operate under water continuously. Such cable is used inside of nuclear plants to provide the highest level of long term (over 50 years) reliability. The pad mounted transformers planned for the Island consist of a) fully sealed and water proofed windings, b) waterproofed high voltage terminations and insulated low voltage terminations.
Although a major storm surge could push some transformers off their pads or contaminate some electric terminations inside, it should be noted that all low voltage splice boxes presently on Marco Island are located on pads and are not waterproofed and would be even more subject to failure from storm surge and water contamination.
Although storm surge is a possible problem that could impact underground systems, past experience has shown that wind damage is a much more damaging factor in major hurricanes throughout Florida. There has been very little surge related damage but huge wind damage such as the devastation to Homestead, Sanibel and Punta Gorda in recent years. High winds cause trees to break apart and fall and flying debris to cause overhead wires to fall. Fallen wires throughout an area are the major reason for long restoration times and the blockage of roadways. Underground systems are virtually unaffected by high wind driven storms. Furthermore, it should be noted that underfround systems are much less affected (than overhead systems) by lightning strikes.
The decision of whether or not to underground should be made based upon the costs and advantages. Reliability is not an issue.
Bruce Bier, Marco Island
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Golly gee, someone actually took the time to do some research or has some knowledge on the sub- ject. How refreshing, facts not fable. Thank you Bruce, very informative !!!!!!!!!!! All tne more reason to do a study to find out all aspects of this issue.
Ed Issler
#1 Posted by lauralbi1 on June 24, 2008 at 5:46 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Those who actually install and repair these systems do not need research; they already have the knowledge. Product knowledge is an important asset for salesmen, but practical application and experience appear to be greatly lacking. Just because you sell rocket fuel doesn't mean you're a rocket scientist.
#2 Posted by flyingsparks on June 25, 2008 at 2:19 p.m. (Suggest removal)
bruce...you should join ron bales on the committee to "study" this...the council committed to form a study group...please participate.
#3 Posted by van on June 25, 2008 at 11:12 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Flyingsparks: Suggest you look at the cities along the Florida coast, both East and West Coast, and check out how many of them are burying cable using the new, waterprooof, specialty cables and transformer boxes that stand up to flooding. There is a lot of new technology out there that some older electricians are not aware of.
Ed Issler
#4 Posted by lauralbi1 on June 26, 2008 at 10:50 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Ed:Suggest you read www.fpl.com/faqs/underground.shtlm, and you will find out what FPL really thinks about undergrounding electrical systems and the associated costs. Please pay particular attention to Question #22, where they estimate the cost of undergrounding to be $500,000 to 4 million per mile and also Question #27 where they list areas that would not be feasible for undergrounding. There is very little new technology out there. The wiring sections of padmount transformer enclosures are still open and subject to flooding and any idiot knows the windings are waterproof. They are sealed and filled with insulating liquid plus a nitrogen blanket to prevent air and moisture intrusion. The only difference is they formally used PCB insulating oil, 10C oil or R-Temp, and now they use Envirotemp or FR3 which is 98% soybean oil. The 200 amp load break elbows and 600 amp T-bodies for connections have not changed. The only difference in EPR or XLP medium voltage cable is that instead of MV90, it is now MV105, which mean it is rated at 105degrees C instead of 90degrees C. They are rated for wet and dry locations, but not recommended for direct burial in salt water. I am neither old nor out of date.
#5 Posted by flyingsparks on June 26, 2008 at 4:37 p.m. (Suggest removal)
To Everyone: Please go to the website referenced in the blog, above. Read ALL (not just the selected ones above) of the questions and answers. You will be able to read how 33% of the Service Area of FP&L has been installed or converted to Underground Electrical utilities. There are advantages and disadvantages to both Overhead and Underground service. The best example that all of us can relate to is the consistent pole mounted transformer failures that occur around the Island due to salt in the air and moisture. Flyingsparks seems to ignore the fact that a major part of Collier Blvd properties have been fed by underground utilities for some time with great success and little failure. The placement of the above ground transformers is such that if they flood, the homes that they feed will also be flooded and it would be good if ythe transformer failed. Easy to fix. Easier than above ground. I have no desire to argue with Flyingsparks. I would rather discuss and let the experts and actual installations speak on the issue. I am a pragmatist and cannot believe that FP&L and other Florida utilities bordering the water would proceed with burial of cable if it was not in their best interest (long term). The one thing we can all agree on is that it is more costly than overhead lines. How much more is what remains to be determined.
Ed Issler
#6 Posted by lauralbi1 on July 1, 2008 at 3:29 p.m. (Suggest removal)
lauralbi1, the city and the Coop has learned that it need only rinse off those transformers post storm prior to turning on the power again. Seems to me running a few pumper trucks around our small city once or twice a year is a lot cheaper then putting all that cable and infrastructure under ground. Question still unanswered is, do we need to do this?
#7 Posted by Beowulf on July 3, 2008 at 9:21 a.m. (Suggest removal)
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