IEEE 980-2021

This guide discusses the significance of oil spillage in electric substations; identifies the sources of oil spills; discusses typical designs and methods for dealing with oil containment and control of oil spills; and provides guidelines for preparation of a typical spill prevention control and mitigation plan. This guide applies to all types of insulating oil, fuel, and other oils typical of electrical substations. It is not the intent of this guide to interpret government regulations or the applicability of the oil containment systems presented with respect to compliance to those regulations. Interpretation is left to each individual user. Note that much of the material and information in this guide is based on discussions, experiences, and research conducted by the IEEE Oil Containment Working Group. Part of this research includes industry surveys conducted in 1992 and 2012 in an effort to determine common practices for oil containment and control in electrical substations. Although generally not discussed in the body of this guide, the detailed survey results can be found within Annex C.

Containment, control, and mitigation of oil spills are a concern for owners and operators of electric substations. The environmental impact of oil spills and their mitigation is regulated by some governmental agencies, necessitating increased attention in substations to the need for secondary oil containment. Beyond the threat to the environment, mitigation costs associated with oil spills continue to escalate and the adverse community response to any spill is becoming increasingly unacceptable. This guide identifies some governmental regulations, the sources of oil spills, and typical methods and plans used to contain, control, and mitigate them. Note that use of the term “oil” in this document includes mineral oil and other alternative insulating fluids.

Revision Standard - Active. The significance of oil-spillage regulations and their applicability to electric substations are discussed; the sources of oil spills are identified; typical designs and methods for dealing with oil containment and control of oil spills are discussed; and guidelines for preparation of a typical Spill Prevention Control and Countermeasures (SPCC) plan are provided. This guide excludes polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) handling and disposal considerations.