SE Moldelectrica
Moldova - Energy II Project
Feasibility Study for Rehabilitation of System Metering, Dispatch, Communications and Transmission
Environmental Analysis and Management Plan
6543P04-000/12 073 500/1059
Sarweystrasse 3
70191 Stuttgart • Germany
Phone:+ 49 - 7 11 - 89 95 - 0
Fax:+ 49 - 7 11 - 89 95 - 459
Please contact:Mr Kuhlmann
Extension:548
e-mail:
6543P04-000/12 073 500/1059
Table of Contents
0.Introduction and Executive Summary
1.Scope of Investigation
2.Investigation Method
3.Baseline Data
3.1TheMoldovan Republic
3.2Environmental legislation in the Moldovan Republic
3.2.1Conclusion
4.Results of the Investigation
4.1Transmission lines
4.1.1General environmental aspects
4.1.2Situation in the Republic of Moldova
4.1.3Conclusion
4.2Substations
4.2.1Situation in Moldova
4.2.2Conclusion
4.3New dispatch center
4.3.1Conclusion
4.4Metering, SCADA, telecommunication
4.4.1Conclusion
4.5Electric and magnetic fields
4.5.1Situation in the Republic of Moldova
4.5.2Conclusion
5.Environmental Management Plan
5.1Mitigation Activities
5.2Monitoring activities
5.3Training Activities
5.4Cost Estimate
6.Institutional Arrangements
7.Summary
8.Record of Scoping
9.Annexes
6543P04-000/12 073 500/10591
0.Introduction and Executive Summary
A feasibility study namely “Moldova – Energy II Project, Feasibility Study for Rehabilitation of System Metering, Dispatch, Communications and transmission” was elaborated for Moldelectrica as the enterprise of the Moldovan high voltage transmission network.
In the context of this feasibility study an Environmental Analysis and Management Plan was performed for identification of main environmental problems caused by the rehabilitation measures as proposed in the study.
Environmental legislation in Moldova is currently evolving on the basis of sound, existing environmental protection regulations. In some cases, previous USSR standards and limit values have been adopted or are still in force. Concerning electric fields, standards and limit values apply in Moldova which have to be taken into consideration for rehabilitation measures.
In the context of this rehabilitation project the construction of new transmission lines is not intended, so no environmental impacts in this connection will occur.
An environmental impact arises from the oil which leaks from transformers, circuit breakers and reactors with possible contamination of the soil and the groundwater. Broken seals should be changed.
Neither in oil from transformers, circuit breakers nor reactors were PCBs detected by analysis. On the other hand, there are some 20,000 capacitors at the substations in Moldova probably containing about 180,000–240,000l of trichlorobiphenyl. Because removal of capacitors or renewal of old ones is not foreseen under the rehabilitation project, the PCB does not represent a risk within the presented rehabilitation measures. However, for future projects which propose to rehabilitate the capacitor batteries, the PCB problem has to be very seriously considered. The recycling of one PCB containing capacitor in Germany gives rise to a cost of about 100USD.
At present, there is no possibility of removing and disposing of the panels and plates of asbestos from the control buildings of the substations in Moldova. Painting of the asbestos plates and panels with special paint is recommended as a short-term mitigation measure.
The fire fighting systems in the 330 and 400kV substations are functioning, but they should be upgraded, especially the equipment of the fire fighting departments. Training courses for fire fighters to fight oil and cable fires in towns near substations and for the staff of the substations are generally recommended.
A replacement of lead- and sulfuric acid-containing accumulators is foreseen within the rehabilitation project. Replaced batteries will be recycled within Moldova.
In case of a new dispatch center building near Chisinau substation, a drinking water supply system has to be implemented. For sanitary water a small water treatment facility would be necessary. Preparing of a landscape plan for the construction area is recommended.
If the dispatch center were to be installed within the administrative building of Moldelectrica in Chisinau, no severe environmental impacts would arise. The rehabilitation of the metering and telecommunication system and the implementation of SCADA will not give rise to negative impacts on the environment.
For measuring the electric field in substations, the purchase of meters is recommended to make sure that the Moldovan standards concerning electric fields at workplaces will be met.
Summing up, the proposed rehabilitation measures will not cause severe negative environmental impacts but will have some direct positive effects by replacement of old bulk-oil circuit breakers by circuit breakers of the SF6 type. In addition, new transformers will have oil pits and proper sprinkler systems.
Recommendations
Some mitigation measures have been developed to counteract some of the most severe environmental impacts, especially in substations. But many measures will only be practical if they are incorporated within a waste disposal and waste management system for Moldova as a whole.
As a first step, soil and drinking water should be analyzed for possible contamination with hydrocarbons from leaking oil from transformers, circuit breakers and reactors. In addition, near substations with capacitor batteries, PCB analyzes of soil and drinking water are strongly recommended, because PCBs represent a very hazardous group of substances to human health. The electric and magnetic fields in substations and under transmission lines should also be measured. Together with the results of this EAMP, these investigations can provide a basis for developing of specific Environmental Management Plans (EMPs), containing Environmental Monitoring Plans (EMOPs) for the Moldovan substations and their surroundings.
6543P04-000/12 073 500/10591
1.Scope of Investigation
Thefollowing Environmental Analysis and Management Plan discusses the main environmental problems confronting a rehabilitation project for an electric network and describes appropriate mitigation and monitoring measures. One main issue is whether or not oils from transformers, circuit breakers and reactors contain PCB as additives, and what is the hazard that results if, for examples, transformers are changed out.
Although not explicitly asked for in the project’s rehabilitation measures, the general environmental situation when constructing new transmission lines and the general environmental problems existing at the substations are discussed below. In addition, the possible environmental hazard of the PCB-containing capacitors and their disposal is one main issue addressed in the following discussion.
6543P04-000/12 073 500/10591
2.Investigation Method
Between 15 and 20 of May 2000, extensive inspection trips along several transmission line route sections were performed. In addition, Fichtner's team had the opportunity to conduct comprehensive investigations of several substations. Intensive talks with the managers and the staff of the substations about the environmental problems were also held.
Theresults of this study are based on information and data obtained from the technical staff of Moldelectrica and own investigations as well as on the analysis of oil samples taken in nine substations. Thesurvey of the terrain has been supplemented by Fichtner by a photographic documentation which is shown in Annex 99.
One issue of the field visit was the collection of oil samples from transformers, from oil insulated circuit breakers and/or from reactors. In nine substations oil samples were taken (Photo 1). Thevisited substations are situated along the line Balti-Chisinau-Vulcanesti (Figure 1). These substation have been chosen in order to ensure getting oil from substations being representative for Moldova. That is why substations of different voltage levels (400/330/110kV) as well as from different geographical locations in Moldova have been selected.
In each of these substations about 20ml of transformer oil was mixed with about 20ml oil from either a circuit breaker or a reactor (Table 1). Where no reactor or circuit breaker were existing only transformer oil was collected (Chirilovka). Theoil was stored in small plastic vessels and transported to Germany where the concentration of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB) in the samples was determined according to international accepted DIN38414S20E (Ballschmiter & Zell, 1980; Annex 92).
Following PCBs serving as indicator substances for PCB pollution were analyzed:
- PCB 282,4,4-trichlorobiphenyl
- PCB 522,2,5,5-tetrachlorobiphenyl
- PCB 1012,2,4,5,5-pentachlorobiphenyl
- PCB 1382,2,3,4,4,5-hexachlorobiphenyl
- PCB 1532,2,4,4,5-hexachlorobiphenyl
- PCB 1802,2,3,4,4,5,5-heptachlorobiphenyl.
Theanalysis was performed by using glass capillary gas chromatography, the theoretic detection limit of this method is 0.01mg/kg dry weight.
Substation / Voltage level / Source of oil samples (40 ml)Vulcanesti / 400kV / transformer (400kV)/reactor (400kV)
Chirilovka / 110kV / transformer (110kV)
Svotloe / 35kV / transformer (35kV)/circuit breaker (35kV)
Congaz / 110kV / transformer (110kV)/circuit breaker (110kV)
Comrat / 110kV / transformer (110kV)/circuit breaker (110kV)
Ghidighici / 110kV / transformer (110kV)/circuit breaker (110kV)
Cojusna / 35kV / transformer (35kV)/circuit breaker (35kV)
Straseni / 330kV / transformer (330kV)/circuit breaker (110kV)
Balti / 330kV / transformer(330kV)/circuit breaker(330kV)
Table 1:Visited substations and sources of oil samples
Figure 1:Visited substations where oil samples were taken
In addition, extensive discussions about fire protection measures, safety measures at the workplace concerning electric and magnetic field and other environmental problems were held with managers of different substations.
Theexisting environmental law and regulations in Moldova were provided by the staff of Moldelectrica, who was very helpful in getting the needed information.
6543P04-000/12 073 500/10591
3.Baseline Data
3.1TheMoldovanRepublic
TheMoldovanRepublic, one of the smaller former Soviet Union republics, is sandwiched between Ukraine and Romania. Therepublic declared its independence on 27 August in 1991.
Moldova slopes gently downwards from the Carpathian mountains in the west. Thefavorable climate, broad treeless plains, rolling hills, and wide river valleys have made Moldova a rich agricultural area (grapes, canned fruits, vegetable, tobacco, grain and vineyards).
Several hydroelectric projects meet the area’s domestic energy needs but Moldova is not self-sufficient in fossil fuels and has few raw materials of any type. It has to import all of its supplies of oil, coal, and natural gas, largely from Russia. Its industrial base focuses primarily on small-scale manufacturing (shoes, clothing, electrical appliances) and food processing.
Some internal disputes are going on at present in the Transnistria region. This region comprises the area between the Nistru (Dniester) River and Ukraine and has its own de facto government, dominated by Moldovan Slavs.
3.2Environmental legislation in the MoldovanRepublic
Environmental protection in Moldova is embodied by the Government in "TheLaw on Environment Protection" which came into force on 16June1993 (No 1515-XII). In the following years several specialized laws followed, covering questions like waste management, air pollution etc.
As standards concerning electric fields, the old regulations of the former USSR are still in use. Herein limit values for the workplace as well as for transmission lines are given which correspond to international accepted standards or are even more stringent (see Chapter 4.5.1).
An important project-related regulation is the "Regulation on Assessment of Environmental Impact of Enterprises whose privatization is pending. ArticleI. TheGeneral Provisions states:
"TheRegulation on Assessment of Environmental Impact of To-be Privatized Enterprises shall regulate Implementation of Laws No 1515-XII as of June 16, 1993 "On Environmental Protection" and No 1217-XIII as of June 25, 1997 "On State privatization Program for 1997-1998 and in order to conduct environmental express-audit on the enterprises subject to privatization, implementation of environmental protection measures and accomplishment of environmental protection investment plan."
and
"Theenvironmental protection actions and investment plans coordinated with environmental protection authorities shall be included into enterprise privatization program."
In 1999 Moldelectrica published an internal paper for applicants for senior positions which covers topics like "Legal basis of the Environmental Protection" which includes a list of all environmentally relevant Moldovan Laws and sections addressing protection of water, flora, fauna, protection from noise, electromagnetic radiation etc.
Specific noise limits do not play a part within the proposed rehabilitation measures (except during construction of a new dispatch center building - in case of realization).
Limit values concerning PCB are not defined.
3.2.1Conclusion
Environmental legislation in Moldova is currently evolving on the basis of sound, existing environmental protection regulations. In some cases, previous USSR standards and limit values have been adopted or are still in force. These are similar or often more stringent than German or international standards. Within Moldelectrica, sensitivity to environmental protection is noted, however implementation of protection measures often fails because of the lack of money.
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4.Results of the Investigation
4.1Transmission lines
4.1.1General environmental aspects
In the course of the proposed rehabilitation measures it is not intended to construct new transmission lines. General environmental aspects and mitigation measures for planning, constructing and operating of transmission lines are given in Annex 97.
4.1.2Situation in the Republic of Moldova
Generally, the existing transmission lines in Moldova have not been constructed according to current international standards. Towers have often been constructed on the top of hills and are visually intrusive against the skyline from long distances. Access tracks, which are no longer needed after construction have not been rehabilitated. Most of the transmission line routes do not run parallel to other existing linear structures (like main-borne services and communications, roads) and are not bundled with other overhead transmission lines, which would be advantageous under ecological aspects.
Moldelectrica has summarized laws, regulations, standards and limit values and published some rules in 1999 (Environmental Protection and rational use of natural resources). Chapter 8 "Protection from electromagnetic radiation" Annex 1 gives some recommendations concerning the operation of high voltage transmission lines:
- the strips of land allocated for transmission lines must be suitably prepared
- use of helicopters to lessen soil damage in protected landscape areas, tree orchards, high-yield crop plantations etc.
- if it becomes apparent that erosion is starting, corrective measures must be taken
- dumping of waste outside the access road or transmission line strip is forbidden.
That shows that there is an awareness of environmental problems which should be promoted. This provides a good basis for the implementation of new projects according in compliance with accepted environmental standards.
4.1.3Conclusion
From the ecological point of view the use of cable has some advantages - depending on the land use which has to be passed - but the costs for cables are higher compared to OHLs. In any case a good landscape management plan should be prepared. It will help to mitigate the impacts both of underground cables and of OHLs.
In the context of this rehabilitation project the construction of new transmission lines is not intended, so no environmental impacts concerning this issue arise. Nevertheless, mitigation measures for the construction of OHLs are given in Annex 97.
4.2Substations
One of the main problems with open air substations can arise from transformer/circuit breaker/reactor oil or capacitor fluid which can contain polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs). In Germany up to 1980/85, PCB containing oils have widely been used as coolants and lubricants in transformers, capacitors, and other electrical equipment because PCBs possess good insulating properties and are fire retardant. However, PCBs can have some severe effects on the environment and on human beings.
PCBs are a group of manufactured organic chemicals that contain 209 individually chlorinated chemicals, known as congeners. PCBs are either oily liquids or olids and are colorless to light or yellow. They have no known smell or taste and there are no known natural sources of PCBs.
People exposed for long periods to PCBs in the air have experienced irritation of the nose and lungs, and skin irritations such as acne and rashes. Some studies have shown that babies born to women who consumed PCB-contaminated fish had problems with their nervous system at birth. Animals that breathed very high levels of PCBs showed liver and kidney damage. Animals that ate food with smaller amounts of PCBs had liver, stomach, and thyroid gland injuries, as well as anemia, acne, and problems with their reproductive systems. Skin exposure to PCBs in animals resulted in liver, kidney, and skin damage. It is not known whether PCBs cause cancer in human beings. In a long-term (365 days or longer) study, PCBs caused cancer of the liver in rats that ate certain PCB mixtures.
In 1968, the toxic potential of PCB became evident, when in Japan 1600 people were poisoned with rice bran oil containing PCB and several people died.
Very severe impacts do arise if PCBs catch fire. Between 600°C and 900°C, they form highly toxic and carcinogenic furans (PCDF) and dioxins (PCDD). Thetoxicity of dioxins is well known since the accident in Seveso, Italy in 1976.
4.2.1Situation in Moldova
Oil used in transformers, circuit breakers, and reactors
In all meetings, the question of whether the transformer oil contains PCBs or not was discussed. The result was that there is no indication that artificial, PCB-containing oil is used for transformers, circuit breakers, and reactors. Obviously, only mineral oil coming from Russia is used for replenishing oil losses. However, no analysis of oil contents has ever been conducted by Moldelectrica or other independent institutions in Moldova.. That is why Fichtner's team took oil samples in nine substations (Table 1) and determined the PCB concentration in the oil as listed in Table 2.
Substation / PCB28 / PCB
52 / PCB
101 / PCB
138 / PCB
153 / PCB
180
Vulcanesti / < 0.15 / < 0.15 / < 0.15 / < 0.15 / < 0.15 / < 0.15
Chirilovka / < 0.15 / < 0.15 / < 0.15 / < 0.15 / < 0.15 / < 0.15
Svotloe / < 0.15 / < 0.15 / < 0.15 / < 0.15 / < 0.15 / < 0.15
Congaz / < 0.15 / < 0.15 / < 0.15 / < 0.15 / < 0.15 / < 0.15
Comrat / < 0.15 / < 0.15 / < 0.15 / < 0.15 / < 0.15 / < 0.15
Ghidighici / < 0.15 / < 0.15 / < 0.15 / < 0.15 / < 0.15 / < 0.15
Cojusna / < 0.15 / < 0.15 / < 0.15 / < 0.15 / < 0.15 / < 0.15
Straseni / < 0.15 / < 0.15 / < 0.15 / < 0.15 / < 0.15 / < 0.15
Balti / < 0.15 / < 0.15 / < 0.15 / < 0.15 / < 0.15 / < 0.15
Table 2:Concentrations of PCBs in mg/kg analyzed according to Ballschmiter and Zell (1980)
As shown in Table 2the concentrations of all PCBs in the oil samples were below the detection limit (see Annex 93). According to the interviews only natural oil is used in Moldovan transformers, reactors and circuit breakers. Usually, this oil is coming from Russia and the same oil is used in transformers all over Moldova. There are no specific oil requirements for transformers e.g. of different voltage levels.