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Addressing Utility Substation Maintenance with Mobile Power Systems

October 17, 2024

Utility companies are under increasing pressure to maintain reliable power while conducting essential substation maintenance. In the past, this has meant shutting off power to customers, leading to extended outages. However, advances in mobile battery energy storage systems (BESS) now provide utilities with a solution to minimize or eliminate downtime during maintenance or emergency repairs.

NOMAD Power’s mobile BESS units offer a clean, efficient alternative to traditional diesel generators. These systems ensure power availability during planned outages, helping utilities maintain customer satisfaction, reduce operational disruptions, and meet sustainability goals. Unlike diesel generators, mobile BESS units are emission-free and operate quietly, significantly reducing their environmental impact while delivering reliable power.

A great example of this in action is our partnership with Green Mountain Power (GMP). In August 2022, GMP faced a scheduled substation maintenance project that required disconnecting 230 homes from the grid. Normally, this would have led to a seven-hour outage, causing significant inconvenience to the residents. However, with the deployment of a NOMAD mobile BESS unit, GMP was able to reduce the outage to just 20 minutes. The mobile unit seamlessly connected to the grid, taking over the power load and allowing maintenance to proceed without major disruption, much to the relief of the affected customers.

This success story highlights the key advantages of mobile BESS in utility maintenance. Reducing downtime is crucial, as it minimizes inconvenience to customers while keeping operations on track. NOMAD’s mobile BESS systems can be rapidly deployed with minimal setup, offering a significant advantage over the logistical challenges of diesel generators. The swift deployment of these systems ensures that utilities can respond to maintenance or emergency situations with efficiency and confidence.

Why Choose Mobile BESS Over Diesel Generators?

One of the standout benefits of mobile BESS is the environmental impact. Unlike traditional noisy generators, which emit pollutants, NOMAD’s mobile BESS units provide a sustainable power solution that helps utilities meet their carbon reduction goals. Mobile BESS offers a forward-thinking alternative as regulatory pressures increase and customers demand cleaner, more efficient energy options.

Another advantage is flexibility. Mobile BESS units can be deployed to a single substation or moved across multiple locations. This is particularly valuable for utility companies managing multiple projects or responding to emergency repairs. Their mobility ensures that power is always where it’s needed most.

Beyond planned maintenance, NOMAD’s mobile BESS systems are ideal for emergencies. Whether it’s a storm, equipment failure, or another unexpected event, these units provide instant backup power, preventing extended outages. With response times measured in milliseconds, mobile BESS ensures that critical services remain operational, even when the grid goes down.

Utilities can confidently tackle substation maintenance with minimal impact on customers by incorporating mobile BESS into their operations, ensuring reliable and sustainable service at every step.