Effects of power outage could be felt for weeks
June 05, 2012
Last week’s power outage across campus has now been stabilized, although extensive damage to the components that feed a transformer means that Western will not be operating at full electrical capacity for a number of weeks.
“It’s tough to pin-point a timeframe, because there are so many factors in play,” says Associate Vice-President, Facilities Management, Roy Langille. “However, we do know that throughout the duration of the repairs there will be limitations on our consumption.”
On Wednesday morning, Facilities Management electricians were alerted to an outage originating from the South Substation, located behind Alumni Hall. The equipment that leads to one of two transformers suffered a significant failure cutting power from the London Hydro feed to the buildings that draw from that substation. To restore power to customers, Facilities Management enacted an emergency procedure, diverting power from the East Substation to South Substation.
This temporary measure to reroute power might go largely unnoticed if the chillers at the North and South power plants didn’t draw from those supplies as well. If outdoor air temperatures begin to rise over the next few weeks, the demand for air conditioning may begin to exceed the current available capacity for supply. Langille acknowledges that certain areas of research and study require climate standards and members of the Division will work with those groups to maintain expected service levels.
As the repairs to the South Substation continue, Facilities Management’s technicians are closely monitoring the loads and identifying campus priorities in preparation for a potential increased demand. As part of these efforts, the Division is reaching out to its customers for support.
“We are looking to the community to play a part in limiting our electrical consumption across the campus,” says Langille. “We are asking that all unnecessary lighting be turned off in offices, corridors, labs, and classrooms spaces.”
Langille hopes that changing energy habits will allow buildings to remain at a comfortable temperature level.
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