Veridian Connections has been active in identifying and taking steps to address the environmental risk posed by a potential loss of oil within substations. Veridian Connections has 55 substations in the distribution system, with some containing over 10,000L of oil. With some substations in close proximity to waterways or municipal drainage the environmental risk is multiplied.
During 2009, Veridian Connections installed an oil containment system called Sorbweb™ Plus at 5 high risk substations. The Sorbweb™ Plus system was developed in Ontario by Ontario Hydro (now Kinectrics holds the patent) and is being installed globally by a Barrie based company named Albarrie.
Sorbweb™ Plus is an oil containment system that consists of several layers including geomembranes and geotextiles used to control, direct, and capture oil while allowing water to pass. The main element in this system is a copolymer oil mat which is designed to absorb the hydrocarbons and congeal, becoming impermeable. The result is that any leaked oil is permanently captured preventing contamination of the surrounding environment. Sorbweb™ Plus prevents any runoff or leaching into the soil for the full volume of oil in the substation. This has proven to be a cost effective, custom solution for Veridian Connections, as it addresses the environmental risk with minimal disruption to the substations.
Cross section showing the layers that comprise the Sorbweb™ Plus system.
Pictures of Sorbweb™ Plus installation at Cavan Substation, Port Hope
Pictures of Sorbweb™ Plus installation at Cavan Substation, Port Hope
Pictures of Sorbweb™ Plus installation at Cavan Substation, Port Hope
Written by Veridian for their environmental committee-
