While perhaps the most significant attack in recent years, owing mostly to the size of the substation and its importance to the population of a major city like San Francisco, incidents of this kind are not unique. In 2011, one person died after what was speculated to be an attempt to steal copper from a Duke Energy substation in Spartanburg, South Carolina. In this deadly event, more than 3,000 people lost power.[2] Vandals also damaged circuit breakers in Buford, Georgia, an Atlanta suburb, in early 2014, knocking out power to a highly-trafficked shopping district and surrounding residences.[3] Breeches like this happen. So, what can you do to protect your assets and the public’s sense of security?
A simple precautionary measure includes removing underbrush and other objects that could be easily used by lurkers to hide near substations. Never has hiring an arborist or lawn service company meant so much to national security.
PG&E plans to spend $100 million over the next three years to ensure enhanced security protects every corner of all of its substations. The expenditure includes a variety of measures, but most notably enhanced camera technology and increased lighting.[4] The key to video surveillance is having eyes on the facility at key times, though working cameras may have helped the company shed some light on exactly who attacked their substation in the 2013 attack after the fact as well.
Since the 2013 attack, PG&E has employed 24/7 security guards to surround the Metcalf Substation. While a costly expense, the use of patrols is an effective tactic to keep would-be vandals and those with more sinister goals away from vital equipment.
From bulletproof shields to massive concrete barriers, all manner of walls and baffles have been suggested to better protect substations. Technical hurdles do exit with regard to closing off very large, very hot transformers, but the idea of throwing up walls seems an obvious one that will likely continue to be explored.
If all else fails and someone does manage to infiltrate barriers and damage equipment, simply having sophisticated and up-to-date records, like those kept in a an integrated joint use communication, inventory and management system can help you get power restored quickly and cost-effectively.
[1] http://abclocal.go.com/kgo/story?section=news/local/south_bay&id=9500018
[2] http://www.wspa.com/story/21457369/one-person-dead-suspected-vandalism-at-duke-energy-substation
[3] http://www.accessnorthga.com/detail-pf.php?n=190989
[4] http://abclocal.go.com/kgo/story?section=news/local/south_bay&id=9500018