Dynamic integrated approach to safety risk management in substation maintenance and testing integration operations

Abstract

In recent years, although the incidence of accidents and the number of fatalities in the power industry have declined, the situation remains concerning with significant losses. Maintenance operations and electrical testing in power companies are particularly hazardous, ranking among the highest-risk activities. Despite extensive safety management in the power industry, research specifically on integrated substation maintenance and testing operations is limited. To fill this gap and prevent safety lapses and increased risks during on-site operations, this study proposes a safety management method for integrated substation maintenance and testing operations based on system dynamics (SD) and the integrated weighting method. First, risk factors were identified through literature review and refined using expert surveys. Subsequently, the integrated weighting method was employed to determine factor weights, and system dynamics modeling was used to analyze the intrinsic interactions among risk factors. A simulation experiment, using a specific substation as a case study, validated the model's applicability. Additionally, risk control measures were proposed from two directions: key factor control and phase-based control during the operational cycle. In terms of phase-based control, three risk control models were designed and validated, ultimately determining the optimal model to minimize risks. In summary, this study highlights the risks associated with integrated substation maintenance and testing new operations, and proposes a method to better analyze the intrinsic interactions of risk factors and control measures, providing theoretical and practical support for sustainable safety management by relevant departments.