Power system environmental performance

Overview of the Study Committee C3

SC3 was created in 2002 with the main mission to produce unbiased positions and approaches on power environmental performance and impacts and their implication for management, construction, operation and investment decisions. In 2019, by the approval of a new Strategic Plan, the focus of the group's activities was extended towards a sustainability approach. The goal is to facilitate and promote the principles of sustainable development through the global exchange of information and knowledge, by synthesizing state-of-the-art practices and developing recommendations in line with global best practice.

The concept of sustainability development is a broad one. The United Nations defines it as “meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs” which necessarily involves considering the three pillars: profits, planet, and people.

SC3 activities are focused on environmental protection and dynamic equilibrium in human and natural systems.

Fortunately, sustainability concern is becoming increasingly relevant within Cigre, and many SCs are already considering the protection of the environment and people while addressing technical issues. Moreover, in the context of the current climate and environmental crisis, sustainability itself is one of the main drivers for moving towards a different and decarbonised electricity system. Therefore, sustainability is now one of the focal points for the entire CIGRE community. In this sense, good communication, cooperation, and collaborative work with other CSs is especially important for SC3.

Highlights

The lack of face-to-face meetings has really slowed down SC3 activities and we are still trying to get relaunch the work. Some steps have already been taken.
The interesting discussion that took place during 2021 online session, with great presentations and participation from the audience must be pointed out.
Besides, the WG C3.16, “Interactions between Electrical Infrastructure and Wildlife” has finished its work, TB has been published in ELECTRA (in 2022) and the Tutorial has been presented in 2022 Paris Session with great success.

Workstreams

SC C3 has currently 30 regular members and 8 observers, representing 36 countries.
The scope of the SC3 is categorised into three main Technical Directions, that provide strategic guidance for WGs, that focus on specific questions. 
Currently, we have 1 Strategic Advisory Group (SAG), 1 Advisory Group on EMF, 7 ongoing Working Groups and 3 Working Groups to re-start in 2022, divided over our Technical Directions.

TD1 - Asset management and environment

This TD is aligned with the traditional approach of SC3 works. It refers to the integration of power facilities into the environment, considering their entire life cycle: from the planning stage to their decommissioning (cradle to grave).

The WGs are focused on identifying the interaction between nature and infrastructure and defining tools and measures to minimise their negative impact and enhance their positive contribution. There are some regarding this topic:

C3.09 A - Corridor management

 This WG was disbanded for a few years but TB or articles were not published. With the aim to finish the publications, the TOR of the group was reviewed and a new version of the group (C3.09A) started to work, with some old and new members. The intention of the WG is to collect information and compare regulation, procedures, methods and best practices from different countries that apply to relations with landowners and environmental aspects of corridor management.

WG C3.14 - Impact of Environmental liability on transmission and distribution activities

The aim of the WG is to create a reference document to enable T&D utilities to understand the possible impact (practical and financial) of environmental liability and to have a view on best practices regarding prevention, investigation, and remediation of environmental damage.

WG C3.16 - Interactions between electrical infrastructure (overhead lines and substations) and wildlife

The TB has been published in Electra (in 2022) and the Tutorial has been presented in 2022 Paris Session.

WG C3.17 - Interactions between wildlife and emerging renewable energy sources and submarine cables

This WG was created to complete WG C3.16 work by addressing renewable projects and associated transmission systems, focusing on operational aspects, though construction impacts are also considered. As the scope of the work is still very broad, the TOR are being reviewed and will soon be re-launched.

WG C3.22 - Vegetation management in substations

The main intention of the work is to identify experiences and knowledge regarding the alternatives to the use of herbicides, but the scope also includes the collection of best practices regarding types of surfaces and vegetation control in substations.  

JWG B1/C3.85 - Environmental impact of decommissioning of underground and submarine cables

It focuses on old and new cables and is investigating the decommissioning strategy (leave it in or dig it up) and impact on environment.

TD2 - Sustainability: the role of the power sector

This TD is to address the new trends in the power sector under a sustainability approach. The aim is to anticipate future challenges and their implications.

Ongoing Working Groups:

C3.12 - Greenhouse Gas Emissions inventory and report for transmission system operators

The purpose of the WG was to review and recommend harmonized procedures and methods for accounting and reporting GHG emissions that can be used by TSO’s worldwide, but the work of this group was temporary suspended due to a lack of members. The TOR was updated, and a new title was proposed: “Managing GHG emissions of T&D activities. Accounting, reducing & reporting progress”. The SAG is looking for a new Convenor and participants to relaunch the works.

WG C3.20 - Sustainable Development Goals in the electric power sector

The general aim of the WG is to develop recommendations on how the electric power sector should implement SDGs within their business strategies in order to reach a maximum contribution to the achievement of these goals.

WG C3.23 - Eco-design methods for TSOs/DSOs under environmental transition

The purpose of the group is to activate and harmonize the eco-design potential for TSOs/DSOs to reduce environmental impact, given that the implementation of a systemic eco-design approach will be a key success factor to achieve our sustainable goals.  As the scope of the work is very broad, the TOR has been redefined and the new version of the WG will be relaunched.

TD3 - Stakeholder engagement and public acceptance

This TD deals with other traditional issue of SC3 scope of work: people. It includes topics related to EMF (as one of the main discussion issues for stakeholders) and engagement strategies to improve infrastructure development and maintenance.

C3.AG - EMF and Human Health

The group provides CIGRE with information and advice on topics regarding EMF and all health aspects related to electrical installations and the use of wireless communication. The scope of the Advisory Group includes:   

• AC Transmission line environment - 50/60 Hz Electric and magnetic fields; spark discharges
• DC Transmission line environment - Static Electric and magnetic fields; air ions
• Intermediate frequencies and radiofrequencies up to 300 GHz
• Interference with medical implants (pacemakers; cardiac defibrillators, insulin pumps etc.)

WG C3.15 - Best environmental and socio-economic practices for improving public acceptance of high voltage substations

The Working Group aims to make an inventory of the best practices, options, and boundary conditions for the integration of substations in their environment. The resulting Brochure intends to be an international reference document to be used in the discussion with other stakeholders. It shall help to identify workable solutions from environmental and socio-economic perspectives and increase acceptance by local authorities.

WG C3.21 - Including stakeholders in the investment planning process

The goal of this group is to study the best practices of the Cigre members to improve the decision-making processes for grid development both to system operators and the public/local communities.

Conclusions

Sustainability issues are becoming increasingly important in the international scene, in the power industry and therefore in CIGRE community. The SC3 must be attentive to identify electricity sector needs and increase its contribution, to move forward to a sustainable system, paying attention to our planet and to people.

After COVID crisis, we still have the challenge of finishing the work of some working groups that were launched long time ago and to activate some new ones in order to provide updated information and relevant findings for the network of the future. To achieve that, we count on the dedication of the SC3 members, observers and WG experts.

In memoriam Marijke Wassens, convenor of WG C3.15

End of August of last year, we received the very sad message that our convenor, Marijke Wassens, past way at the age of 55. She leaves behind her husband, two daughters and the rest of her family and friends.

Marijke worked as a landscape architect with the Dutch consultancy agency Movares. In Paris Session 2014, she presented a work (in collaboration with the Dutch TSO TenneT), about the integration of new substations into the surrounding landscape. There was an overwhelming response and Marijke became the convenor of a Working Group on this topic. Over 20 persons from nearly 20 countries joined it.

The work was still in progress when suddenly Marijke passed away. The members of the WG wrote some memories about working with Marijke. The most repeated ones: “she was always smiling, she was ready to work and to celebrate, she included everyone, she was a lady with a positive and energetic vibe”. We miss her sorely.

Although it is not easy without Marijke's creativity, the WG members are trying to finish the TB, as a tribute for her and a gift to the power sector.

Contact

• Contact of the Chair and/or the Secretary of the Study Committee