Environmental recovery of eroded soil avoids interruption of power transmission

COTESA Engenharia carried out emergency environmental recovery of erosive processes on eight towers of a 500kV Transmission Line, in the Northeast region of the country, responsible for 100% of the transmission generated in the asset. At full operation, the plant has a capacity of over 1,500 GWh per year.

The activity was carried out in four phases. The first one carried out the evaluation and analysis of the structures with high severity and risk of falling, and then a technical report was prepared containing the methodological guidelines, which was implemented by third parties. Finally, the efficiency of the implemented actions was evaluated, recommending additional measures when necessary.

The action plan for environmental recovery and soil restructuring relied on technological and sustainable innovations, following the guidelines recommended by the UN. A bio-blanket was used, containing 70% straw and 30% coconut fiber to cover the slopes of the compacted areas, as well as serrapilheira (burlap from the cerrado) to favor the diffusion of fungi, bacteria, and protozoa, and the planting of grasses and ruderal herbaceous plants.

In this way, the measures contributed to reducing the speed of the rainwater and favoring the organic restructuring of the soil, facilitating the fixing of the seeds and avoiding the evolution of future erosive processes. The whole process was carried out before the rainy season, in order to avoid the asseveration of the erosive processes at the base of the transmission structures.

The work was concluded with a high degree of success, as the measures adopted were of low implementation cost and helped prevent further erosion of these environments.