HV Wildlife Protection – Securing Electrical Substations and Preserving Biodiversity

The presence of birds and small mammals near MV/HV electrical installations represents a major risk to power supply continuity and species preservation. In an electrical substation, a simple contact between two potentials, or between a phase conductor and a metallic grounded part, can generate an electric arc, damage critical equipment, trigger protection systems and cause service interruptions.

To limit these incidents, SYNERDIS®, an entity of the SANERGRID® Group, integrates MIDSUN® silicone technology into its E/COVER, E/SLEEVE, E/BARRIER and E/PLATE ranges. These insulating solutions prevent accidental contact between wildlife and live components, while withstanding the severe constraints of MV/HV environments.

This document details wildlife-related challenges, risks to electrical assets, technical benefits and SANERGRID/SYNERDIS solutions adapted to all types of substations and power lines.

Why Protect Your MV/HV Substations and Lines Against Wildlife?

A Demanding Technical and Environmental Context

The evolution of electrical networks, expansion of primary substations, renewable energy integration and line densification increase interactions with local wildlife. Birds use HV structures as perches and platforms; rodents enter cabinets and technical areas.

These behaviors generate:

  • Unintentional bridging
  • Collisions on exposed conductors
  • Surface flashovers
  • Nuisance tripping of protection systems
  • Costly and sometimes repetitive failures

Beyond electrical continuity, regulations increasingly reinforce the protection of endangered species (raptors, storks, passerines, bats). Implementing wildlife protection solutions therefore becomes a lever for performance, regulatory compliance and risk management.

Electrocution Risks for Birds and Rodents

Typical incident scenarios are well documented:

  • A large bird spreads its wings between a transformer bushing and a metallic part.
  • A raptor perches on an MV connection close to another potential.
  • A crow manipulates a wire or conductive element.
  • A rodent bridges two live zones inside an outdoor cubicle.

E/COVER, E/SLEEVE and E/BARRIER protections enable:

  • Increased insulation distances
  • Elimination of direct contact zones
  • Suppression of fault paths
  • Prevention of internal flashovers and external arcs

The impact is immediate: reduced wildlife mortality and elimination of repetitive substation incidents.

Electrical Faults, Arcs and Short Circuits – A Critical Operational Issue

Animal-origin faults cause:

  • Unplanned transformer shutdowns
  • Busbar protection trips
  • MV insulator degradation
  • Unscheduled maintenance operations
  • High operational costs

Surface discharges, tracking and carbonization accelerate interface aging. By implementing high-performance insulating materials resistant to UV, saline pollution, dust, humidity and thermal variations, you stabilize operation and extend the service life of electrical assets.

SYNERDIS + MIDSUN® Technology: High-Performance, Durable and Biodiversity-Friendly Solutions

4th-Generation Silicone Technology for MV/HV Environments

MIDSUN® solutions integrated into SYNERDIS ranges are formulated to withstand:

  • Long-term UV exposure
  • Ozone
  • Saline pollution
  • Industrial dust
  • Corona effect
  • Large thermal amplitudes
  • Permanent humidity

MIDSUN® self-fusing silicone provides:

  • Reliable insulation up to 35 kV
  • Cold installation without adhesives or heating
  • Multi-manufacturer compatibility
  • Excellent mechanical resistance with long-term elasticity
  • Easy removal and reinstallation during inspections

SYNERDIS Product Ranges – Technical Solutions According to Needs

E/SLEEVE – Silicone Insulating Sleeves for Conductors and Cables

  • Insulation of bare conductors
  • Protection of joints and connections
  • Barrier against accidental bridging
  • Maintenance of dielectric performance even in aggressive environments

E/COVER – Insulating Covers for Bushings, Feedthroughs and Busbars

  • Fast installation
  • Optimal flexibility
  • Resistance to impact, vibration, rain and dust
  • Elimination of accidental contact zones

E/BARRIER – Anti-Contact Barriers for Metallic Parts Near HV

  • Block indirect contact paths
  • Prevent surface flashovers
  • Secure interfaces where birds may perch

E/PLATE – Silicone Plates for Dielectric Shielding on Complex Surfaces

  • Transformer ground planes
  • Flat or irregular metallic surfaces
  • Areas impossible to protect with preformed caps

Multi-Site Compatibility and Extreme Conditions

SYNERDIS/MIDSUN solutions maintain performance in:

  • Coastal substations (salt spray)
  • Industrial sites (dust, hydrocarbons, heat)
  • Mountain regions (frost, thermal cycles)
  • Rural substations with high wildlife presence

They are compatible with MV/HV equipment from all major manufacturers.

SYNERDIS: Expertise, Sizing and End-to-End Support

Site Studies and Risk Analysis

SYNERDIS teams assess:

  • Probable fault paths
  • Phase-to-ground distances
  • Incident history
  • Local species typology
  • Mechanical constraints of the substation

Based on this analysis, SYNERDIS proposes an optimized, prioritized configuration compliant with site requirements.

Installation, Training and Best Practices

The SANERGRID Group provides:

  • On-site installation
  • Supervision
  • Team training
  • Periodic maintenance

As protections are removable, inspections are fast and non-invasive.

A Complete and Recognized Range for Substations and Power Lines

SYNERDIS supplies:

  • E/COVER – caps for bushings, feedthroughs, busbars and connections
  • E/SLEEVE – sleeves for cables and conductors
  • E/BARRIER – anti-contact barriers
  • E/PLATE – silicone plates for customized shielding

Traceability, compliance and compatibility are ensured.

Concrete Benefits of SYNERDIS / MIDSUN Solutions

Securing Electrical Equipment

Protections:

  • Reduce arcs and flashovers
  • Protect sensitive interfaces
  • Extend insulation and component lifespan

Reduced Operating Costs

Less:

  • Nuisance tripping
  • Accessory replacement
  • Corrective interventions

More:

  • Installation availability
  • Grid stability
  • Predictable maintenance planning

Biodiversity Protection

Substations become safer for local and migratory species, especially in ecological corridors.

Contact SYNERDIS for Your Wildlife Protection Projects

SYNERDIS provides:

  • MIDSUN documentation
  • Reference selection support
  • MV/HV sizing assistance
  • Customized quotations
  • SANERGRID support for complementary solutions (oil containment, fire protection, monitoring systems)