Page 1 - Spring-2024-BPU-Connetion-Newsletter

CONNECTION Our mission: to focus on the needs of our

customers, to improve the quality of life in
our community while promoting safe,

reliable and sustainable utilities.
Serving the Water and Electric Needs of Kansas City, Kansas SPRING 2024
3 Weatherization 6 7
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BPUInPerson Streetlight Issues

Weather Related

Power Outages

As spring arrives an influx of warm humid Gulf air mixing with
cooler and warm dry air brings increased weather activity to the
region from April to June. This ranges from simple rain showers to
severe storm outbreaks that include high winds, hail, lightning, and
potential tornadoes.
BPU works throughout the year to reduce the likelihood of weather-
related power outages, managing an aggressive vegetation management
program that removes trees and trims branches that may damage power
distribution lines, poles, transformers, etc. BPU also follows step-by-
step Power Outage Restoration Protocols it adheres to in the event of a
Spring Outdoor widespread power outage event, ensuring electricity is up and running
quickly and safely.
Electrical Safety For more detail, see pages 4 - 5

Power Outage
Milder temperatures mean more outdoor activities. From kids Restoration Protocols BPU works year-round to maintain a dependable and reliable electric system, but when
extreme weather hits power outages can occur. The illustration below shows how
power is restored after a major outage, and the step-by-step process that BPU must
playing at the park, spring cleanup efforts around the yard, or home STEP Repair Substations Repair follow first to identify the extent of the problems and then work to fix them.
Repair
STEP
Generation
Substations distribute power to several thousand customers. When a STEP Transmission Lines Check
Transmission Lines
weatherization projects in anticipation of the summer heat – it’s easy of customers at once if there aren’t problems further down the line. Transmission lines deliver power to sub-stations, and STEP Facilities bpu.com
problem can be solved at this level, power can be restored to large groups
Transmission lines deliver power to sub-stations, and
Sometimes, power can be rerouted to customers from a different
when damaged, can disrupt power to tens of thousands of
when damaged, can disrupt power to tens of thousands of
substation while a repair is being made.
Power Plants produce and generate
customers. These must be repaired before other parts of
customers. These must be repaired before other parts of the
system can operate. the energy we use and are a critical
the system can operate.
Track Outages
to forget the electrical equipment we see or use every day and the Online or via Mobile!
component in the system.
Stay informed of electric outages in
importance of being aware. From calling 811 to locate underground lines System Overview via mobile device with BPU’s Outage
your neighborhood either online or
BPU Electrical
Map tool. Using a birds-eye view of
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the entire service area, you can see
in the yard, inspecting power tools for broken plugs or frayed cords, or Power Stations STEP Repair Main Prioritize outages “live” down to the street
Distribution Lines
level at outage.bpu.com. To alert BPU
Public Health &
about a power outage in your area,
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dial 913-573-9522.
Main distribution lines, which carry power away from substations to
Substations multiple neighborhoods or businesses are then checked. When power STEP Safety Facilities
staying away from downed power lines – a few simple things can make a Electric T&D Poles is restored at this level, all customers served by these lines see the Ensuring hospitals, police facilities, fire stations, and
60,866
lights come on, unless the problem is further down the line.
other critical public functions have power and are
View outage updates at
capable of providing services.
outage.bpu.com
3,000+ Miles
huge difference. Always take safety precautions, and take time to explain Electric T&D Lines
13,666
Transformers
to children how to be safe around electricity. 19,000 STEP Repair Neighborhood
Tap Lines/Transformers
Streetlights
5,300 The final supply lines, called tap lines, carry power to utility poles or transformers
Traffic Signal Heads outside houses, businesses, or other buildings – and can be impacted by falling
trees or limbs. Line crews fix the remaining outages based on restoring service
For more detail, see page 6 BPU’s electric generation, transmission, and distribution system spans a 135 sq. mile area, providing power Sometimes damage will occur on the line between your house and the transformer on a
to the largest number of customers, and include removing and installation
of new poles, transformers, etc.
Repair Individual
STEP
Service Lines
to 65,000 residential, commercial, and industrial customers. If a major outage occurs, BPU follows specific
nearby pole. This explains why you have no power when your neighbor does. BPU needs
industry Outage Restoration Processes and Protocols for restoring power quickly and safely to the entire
to know when you have an outage here, so crews can be dispatched to repair it. The
line crews must tackle these repairs to every single connection one at a time –
community. This includes Assessing Storm Damage to identify required resources, establishing Repair Plans,
which is labor intensive and time consuming.
BPU Generation BPU has significantly diminished its reliance If necessary, BPU has Mutual Assistance Agreements in place with other utilities that WINTER 2023 |
Prioritizing Restoration Work, and Mobilizing Additional Crews if needed. Depending on the extent of damage
and the size of the outage, this methodical step-by-step process can take time.
can deploy crews and equipment to help during widespread outage emergencies.
Output by Fuel Mix on coal and natural gas, shifting to renewable
Renewable “green” energy resources like the sun, wind,
Energy Go to www.bpu.com/restore to see
48% and water to generate power. Today, 48% of
Coal a Power Outage Restoration Protocols
39% BPU energy comes from wind turbines, infographic that highlights the
solar arrays, hydro-dams, and landfill step-by-step process BPU follows
gas – reducing CO2 emissions, protecting the after a major outage event.
Natural Gas environment, and improving community health.
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