Georgian State Electrosystem  - Bonneville Power Administration Transmission Utility Maintenance  Partnership

The Georgian State Electrosystem (GSE) is investing to expand and reinforce its 500 kV networks by adding new 500 kV substations at Jvari and Marneuli, new 500 kV lines connecting the Akhaltsikhe back-to-back substation with 500 kV substations at Zestafoni and Marneuli and 500 kV lines between substations on the Ksani -Marneuli, Gardabani - Marneuli and Enguri – Jvar linesi.  In 2011, USEA established a utility partnership exchange program between GSE and the Bonneville Power Administration (BPS) to assist GSE develop overhead line and substation maintenance plans for new and existing lines.  An initial exchange visit was conducted in Tbilisi during which BPA reviewed best practices for testing and maintaining common substation devices, including power transformers, circuit breakers, switchgear, ground grid systems, batteries, chargers and insulating liquids. A follow-up exchange visit was conducted in March, 2012 in Portland, Oregon where a senior delegation from GSE  visited BPA to discuss Asset Management and Transmission design including transmission line, electrical, structural, civil, and project engineering design methodologies.