Loup Power District employees installed a TransGard Laser Bird Defense system at the ADM Wetmill Substation on Jan. 7.
The system is designed to scare off birds that nest and perch on substation equipment. They can damage equipment and cause electrical outages.
“Birds perceive the system’s approaching laser beam as a physical danger and disperse to seek safety,” according to TransGard’s website. “In contrast to conventional deterrence methods, birds will not become accustomed to the laser deterrent. They will consider the area as unsafe and will not return.”
The system has four lasers that direct beams from different angles and patterns ensure all trouble spots are targeted.
Tim Ramaekers, Loup’s Distribution Substation Meter/Maintenance Superintendent, said ADM is the perfect location for birds to gather.
“There is ample food, many roosting spots, and our transformers provide a warm place for them to sit,” he said.
A bird caused an outage on the T3 bay transformer in the spring of 2024. This shutdown ADM’s operations for most of the day and damaged the substation transformer bushings and arrestors.
“Our hope is that this system benefits both ADM and Loup Power District to reduce outages and equipment failures,” Ramaekers said. “This, in turn, will improve our reliability.”