In the previous article, the reason why the power outage caused by Typhoon No. 15 was prolonged was described from a general point of view. Here I would like to analize the reasons specific to TEPCO.
Inadequate typhoon damage prediction
The installation location of power distribution facilities (electric poles, distribution lines, pole transformers, etc.) and the actual surrounding trees can be ascertained in advance. Typhoon damage (especially by fallen tree, which is the current problem) can be predicted with high accuracy by applying wind speed predictions based on the course and central pressure of the typhoon and actual results to these conditions. This system is called “Typhoon Distribution Facility Damage Prediction System” and has been effective in predicting typhoon disasters in western Japan in FY2018. It is especially strong in predicting fallen tree damage in mountainous areas, and it has been demonstrated that estimated damage and actual damage are close. Based on this damage prediction, the recovery time can be shortened by pre-allocating personnel in the affected area. Unfortunately, TEPCO PG has not used this system because it has not experienced much damage from typhoons in the past.
Organizational change of TEPCO PG
TEPCO’s organizational structure has traditionally consisted of a three-tier structure consisting of a head office, a branch(in each prefucture), and a branch office. However, since July 2015, it has been streamlined to a two-tier structure of head office and branch offices (in addition, the number of branch offices has been halved since July 2018). In Chiba Prefecture, the Chiba Branch previously managed the facility status in the prefecture, and excellent human resources gathered from each branch office. The reason for the abolition of the branch office was to reduce costs, but as a result, it is true that there is no longer a department that distributes the procurement of materials, equipment and personnel according to the situation of the disaster, taking into account the land of Chiba as a whole. “Land intuition” is extremely important. The head office is thinking about logistics this time, but the weakness of the absence of Chiba Branch may have cast a shadow on recovery activities.
Management and Power Distribution Department
Mr. Shiokawa, who is handling the media in this power outage, has no practical experience in power distribution. Until June,Mr. Ezure, Managing Director (from power distribution) was active as a director in charge of power distribution, but there are currently no directors from that department. It seems that President Kaneko (from power substation) has long been known for not hiding distrust in the power distribution department. It is said that smart meter installation prospects at the time of full deregulation of electricity in 2016 by the power distribution department were unsatisfactory, causing work to be greatly delayed and confused. Currently, TEPCO PG officers are responding to this unprecedented crisis in the absence of power distribution graduates.
There have already been complaints from the power distribution maintenance staff gathered in Chiba Prefecture from power companies across the country that the TEPCO PG has not been properly distributed. Unlike power transmission and substation, power distribution equipment has a wide area and requires a lot of personnel and equipment, so it requires unique know-how to respond to the disaster, but current TEPCO PG is a question mark on its suitability It feels like being pointed.