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Feasibility of Underground Electrical System in the Philippines. When, Why It Makes Sense?
By Mikhail Mourhie E. Gancayco
Electricity became a necessary part of our daily lives. There are a lot of electrical lines in public and more than 80% of the world’s population are using electricity [1]. In today’s society, people continuously consuming electricity as technology progress, utilities provide more electrical lines for consumers. In Hon. Gary C. Alejano House Bill, he introduces the implementation of relocating the electricity lines underground after thousands of power lines and facilities destroyed by typhoons [2]. Alejano claims that the feasibility and urgency of placing wires and cable connections underground rise into prominence for government and service providers to overcome struggles in restoring electricity and communications. He had comprehended the idea by citing the situation of the area affected by the Super Typhoon Yolanda that washed away power poles and facilities, which disconnects them from the outside world. He had revealed that the weather disturbances are the cause of prolonged power outage. Since our country has a tropical climate, it faces natural disasters with frightening regularity. Are underground electrical systems possible to be applied in the land of the Philippines or not? Alejano did not answer the feasibility of an underground electrical system, but he suggests using underground lines will prove in the long run to be more economical, reliable, and safe. Vince Curci [3], an underground transmission expert, agrees that underground transmission lines are an out-of-sight location that brings multiple benefits. In his article, he discussed reasons to use this underground electrical system. Moreover, it expounds implementation of this system would lower cost and simplify the installation process of electrical system, specifically in urban areas. In effect, the surrounding visual impact on the environment would be minimal as transmission poles removed. Besides, Curci stated that underground cable systems provide reliability by way of being unsusceptible to atmospheric conditions. Therefore, it offers electrical system hardiness and safety to the public.
People may doubt if underground electrical lines would be possible. Mainly, their concerns are the possible threats that it might create for humans. Moreover, the city of Baguio created a technical working group to study the underground system for electrical lines for its feasibility. After research, the authority of Baguio merit and addresses that overhead lines that create eyesores were gone and changed into underground lines that pose safety [4]. Consequently, the officials of the Philippine Long Distance Telephone Company (PLDT) and Sky Cable expressed their support in the underground line project by agreeing that it was also a benefit to their part. Since this is a utility line, it implies consistent maintenance. This shows, is underground lines safe? There have been many instances of dangers underground like in mining that have shown reason to question the safety of underground things. How did they know that it would be effective than overhead lines? Is this the safest alternative way of the electrical distribution line system?
Some believe that underground technology shows more safety than overhead. One may think underground cables will be reliable because it is not exposed to many dangers such as weather disturbances. In Chris Smith’s article [5], published by KnowTechie, states the physical isolation of the electrical system from the public, which maintains the safety and prevents people in contact with high voltage wires that may lead to death. Another thing, it is protected from wildlife interactions and unsusceptible to environmental conditions. Furthermore, underground cable networks are insulated that utilizes different material installed in covered concrete line channels professing to offer much greater reliability. When it comes to delivering power, it directs to be more economical to maintain than overhead lines. Hence, it is less reactive in maintenance work lessening the human maintenance interaction.
With the application of an underground electrical system, the Philippines would have a convenient and safe utility line. The water drainage system reveals that the underground electrical system is also possible in the Philippines. However, the construction of underground cables is quite expensive to apply, but in the long run, it will produce less cost in maintenance. In Carlos Petilla’s statement [6], he said that electrical lines along the main roads can be still put up, but those located in narrow roads should be put underground. This is because underground cables would cost five times more than the overhead lines. The idea of the project exists, but his concern mainly revolves in the cost.
In Damien Polansky’s article [7], The Case for Intelligent Undergrounding cites that applying underground distribution networks would increase the reliability of our electrical grid. The utilities used in an overhead electrical line system reduces after employing a critical investment on an underground line project, sharply diminishing the maintenance created by living interactions and environmental conditions. Additionally, power plants’ electrical distribution systems would strengthen and securely distribute high voltages with large power down to the local electricity customer. Beyond the benefits of improving aesthetics and feature conditions, the underground lines would be invulnerable to disasters like weather disturbances. Therefore, the implementation of an underground electrical system will reduce the chances of power line accidents, powerful winds of storms and other adverse circumstances. Furthermore, it promotes reliability and makes the system more resilient and worthy of investing.
The government needs to realize that the underground electrical system is advantageous to the community. This keeps us safe from the threats of utility poles and exposed cables which also allows maintaining aesthetics in the environment. However, people need to understand the feasibility of the system. No matter how beneficial it is, studies and researches should be conducted to estimate the outcomes of it since some factors and reasons are in consideration. Overall, the texts discuss the underground electrical system’s benefit and why it is possible in the Philippines. It is convenient and similar to the process of the drainage system that the Philippines had; thus, it would be easy to be applied. Therefore, the underground electrical system is feasible in the Philippines that would bring many more advantages to everyone.
References
[1] “The World Bank,” World Bank’s Development Data Group, 2017. [Online]. Available: https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/EG.ELC.ACCS.ZS. [Accessed 10 November 2019].
[2] G. C. Alejano, “House of Representatives,” 05 July 2016. [Online]. Available: http://congress.gov.ph/legisdocs/basic_17/HB01157.pdf. [Accessed 10 November 2019].
[3] V. Curci, “HDR Inc.,” 19 February 2018. [Online]. Available: https://www.hdrinc.com/insights/top-5-reasons-use-underground-transmission-lines. [Accessed 10 November 2019].
[4] “Underground system for TELECOM and electric power lines on the way,” The City Government of Baguio, Baguio, 2019.
[5] C. Smith, “The pros and cons of an underground electrical system,” 30 September 2019. [Online]. Available: https://knowtechie.com/the-pros-and-cons-of-an-underground-electrical-system/. [Accessed 17 November 2019].
[6] Rappler.com, “How to make power lines disaster-proof? Put them underground,” Rappler, Manila, Philippines, 2014.
[7] D. Polansky, “PennWell Corporation,” Dow Chemical Company, August 2014. [Online]. Available: https://www.pdi2.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/ELP-feature-reprint-July-August-2014.pdf. [Accessed 17 November 2019].
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