Distribution Assets Life Cycle Management

More than ever before it is imperative for electric utilities to maximize the lives of existing systems. A full life cycle management process includes quantification of customer and shareholder expectations, a business assessment of alternatives and the maintenance and continuous assessment of plant conditions.

To minimize the cost of existing plants over their life spans, optimal equipment/material selection and life cycle management has to be applied. Current trends utilize existing equipment at ever-higher capacity levels, in some cases exceeding nameplate or accepted equipment ratings, in order to defer the capital investment in new facilities or in the refurbishment of existing facilities. Utility planners require advanced techniques to assess the risks and benefits associated with these actions.

An in-depth understanding of the problems associated with distribution assets will provide utility operations and maintenance personnel with the necessary tools to precisely evaluate the state of the plant and suggest an appropriate course of action.

Topics and Issues:

• Evaluation of Plant Condition
• Prediction of Remaining Life
• Development of Action Plans for Life Cycle Asset Management
• Preventive and Predictive Maintenance
• Recycling, Re-use or Disposal Costs

Current Projects

• Impact Of A Protective Coating Against The Effect Of Road Authority Chemicals And Atmospheric Pollutants On Different Assets Of The Distribution NetworkValidate and assess the effectiveness of protective coatings that are in use or in development against degradation and/or corrosion of Distribution &Transmission equipment caused by the chemicals used for de-icing roads
• Composite Poles In Transmission & Distribution: Experience And IssuesIn this investigation the project centers on fundamental issues that each in itself afflict the cost effective and reliable use of composite poles, cross arms and braces in low and high voltage applications. Specifically the goals and objectives of the project are: Identify and document construction, operational, and maintenance experiences associated with composite poles, cross arms, and braces used in low and high voltage facilities; Solicit and document feedback from manufacturers and vendors of composite poles, cross arms, and braces as to maintenance and operational and performance issues raised by utilities as well as how these issues were addressed; Obtain the testing requirements manufactures presently use for composite structures. Investigate and document financial and operational benefits that have been realized by utilities that implemented the use of composite poles, cross arms, and braces.
• Distribution Roadmap UpdateThe series The Distribution Utility Technology Roadmap 2025 have been used by many utilities around the world and helped jump start the movement to Smart Grid. Almost every major report on Smart Grid since has quoted these reports or used them as a starting point to proceed from. The reports are now suffering from the acceleration they have caused. Much of the data has been superseded by events in the real world. The goal of this project is to refresh the material in the reports. The updates will cover technology, terminology, drivers, process, applications and lessons learned. It will add more emphasis on security, something that was poorly covered in the original reports.
• Data Acquisition And Monitoring Of Distribution Lines With High Resolution Satellite ImagesThe objective is to determine specific applications for high-resolution satellite imagery for the purpose of managing distribution line assets and data acquisition. The focus will be on those areas identified in project 3229 as having a high to medium potential for success as they relate to distribution lines, i.e., visual inspections, vegetation management, GIS data capture and record validation and 3D imagery. The objective also includes verifying the potential of EO satellite technology for additional items (not covered in project 3229) including surveying; replacement of helicopter or walking D-Line inspections; capacity projects prioritization based on satellite build-out surveys; checking fuses out on cap banks; outage scouting, damage assessment; verification of work complete; audit of work for quality compliance; danger tree surveys; and LiDAR type analysis via a satellite.
• Leakage Current/Touch Potential Calculation And Test For Overhead Line Covered ConductorsIn this project, it is proposed to investigate the magnitude of the capacitive leakage current (CLC) and touch potential of covered conductors when they are in contact to an object like human body. This project suggests studying the CLC and touch potential of covered conductors from safety point of view. The work covers both calculation and testing.
• Detection Of Unintentional Islanding On Distribution SystemsThe first objective of this proposed study is to thoroughly document, review, and critically evaluate (1) today's anti-islanding requirements imposed in the pertinent standards, such as IEEE 1547, and (2) the islanding detection techniques that are currently available. The advantages and disadvantages of each islanding detection technique will be brought out. Of particular interest are local techniques as they are generally less expensive than remote techniques. However, local techniques are only a viable option if it can be shown that they work reliably. Effectively, each local technique has a Non-Detection Zone (NDZ), which might be substantially reduced, or even brought to zero, if a combination of local techniques with non-overlapping NDZs is employed.
• Best Practices For A Risk-Based Approach To Vegetation Management Of Distribution LinesThe objective of this project is to identify best practices for strategic vegetation management on distribution ROWs from a strategic perspective to manage risk and cost. The study would provide recommendations on how utilities can most effectively survey, audit, plan and justify vegetation management surrounding distribution ROWs.
• Assessment/Test Methodology Of In-Service Electrical Connectors For Overhead LinesThe objectives of this project will be to develop non-destructive assessment and test methods to determine the condition (mechanical and electrical) of in-service connectors. The methodology should prove useful for decision makers in determining necessary connector replacement, ensuring safety requirements, and evaluating overall reliability and cost effectiveness. The study will review and evaluate best practices for non-destructive assessment and test methods related to connector conditions. Connector performance (mechanical and electrical) should also be reviewed for replacement decisions.
• Distribution Line Reliability Improvement Impacts On Upstream Equipment LifeThe primary objective of this project is to quantify equipment loss of life from through faults. The study should include a means to model the loss of life on each equipment type and for each fault event, providing a methodology to quantify the loss of life per 'unit' of fault current for each general type of equipment. This model can then be utilized to project a 'value' for proactive programs in order to eliminate D-Line fault sources, reduce fault durations and/or reduce fault current severities.
• Synthetic Cross-Arms Electrical Testing RequirementsThe main objective of this study is to provide a clear overview of all options and terminology surrounding non-wood distribution cross-arms, review existing standards and literature on this topic, and define those electrical based testing requirements needed to evaluate the suitability of a non-wood or FRP cross-arms for various utility service environmental and HV utility applications.
• Lifecycle Costs of Overhead vs. Underground InstallationThe principle objective of this project is to reassess and update the existing overhead versus underground distribution systems report. The updated report will include all pertinent software applications along with their life cycle cost evaluation. The work will consist of information gathering and engineering analysis to develop a modern and relevant report for distribution engineers to assess overhead versus underground distribution architecture.
• Corrosion on the Distribution System: Mitigation StrategiesThe main objective of this project is to provide an overview of all potential strategies available to prevent, mitigate or reduce corrosion on existing electrical distribution equipment, including, but not limited to, protective coating, alternative materials, and time-based replacement. Criteria should be established, against which all mitigation measures will be evaluated and compared. The criteria will be developed by the successful bidder and will be reviewed by DALCM utility monitors before further work can be performed. The ultimate objective of this effort is to determine whether satisfactory rust and corrosion mitigation measures are currently available to Electric Distribution Utilities and whether there is a need to pursue product development in a future research effort. This first Phase will have a direct impact on whether or not DALCM utilities will choose to embark on further research.
• Firefighting Guidelines near Electrical utility StructuresThe overarching objective of this assignment is to investigate and report on the technical issues associated with fighting fires near energized and un-energized electrical facilities, whether in substations or underground manholes or vaults or on overhead distribution system.
• The Impact of Variable Distributed Renewable Generation on the Distribution GridThe objectives of this study will be to identify the issues (from harmonics and phase imbalance to smell and noise) this generation brings to the grid, and to identify the new requirements and propose solutions to address those requirements. Some solutions will be addressed through planning - relaying and protection schemes that will have to be redesigned - while others will require major overall of the Energy Management Systems and Distribution Management Systems. Knowing what is happening in the distribution network is more than just the renewable issue; most of the distribution network has very little in the way of sensors available to provide information on what is happening - Smart Metering is a step in the right direction, but this is the whole promise of the Smart Grid vision
• An Assessment of Distribution System Neutral Grounding AlternativesThe overarching objective of this project is to find the optimal solution(s) to block the transfer of undesirable stray voltages from electric utility MV neutrals to customers with low level tolerance to stray voltages.
• Solar Power Variability Impacts on the Distribution SystemThe project objectives are two-fold: 1. Provide a technically sound method of aggregating PV impacts on distribution feeder voltage control. 2. Develop quantitative measures of the voltage control impacts from a variable DG source
• Update of the Surge Arrester Application GuideThe principal objective of this project is to reassess and update the surge arrester application guide to encompass current practices. The updated guide will include sections on surge arresters for special applications dealing with the distribution system of the future, along with the changing infrastructure and renewable generation. The work will consist of information gathering and engineering analysis to develop a modern and relevant tool for electric distribution engineers to use for selecting surge arresters for their systems.
• Distribution Planner's ManualThe project objective is to provide CEATI members with a reviewed, updated and modern version of the CEA's Distribution Planner's Manual. The review and update process will be based on a revision of existing distribution planning guidelines of CEATI utility members, a survey of present distribution planning practices among CEATI utility members and Quanta's network of contacts and the top notch technical expertise and cumulated years of utility, consulting and industry experience of our project team. It is worth noting that our technical experts have successfully completed or are executing similar projects for several North American utilities, and are the authors of some of the main references in power distribution planning and engineering used by the industry.
• Distribution Cable Health IndexThis MS access-based database allows the creation of individual entries for various cable sections, and prompts an evaluation of 25 different factors (15 health-based, 7 risk-based and 2 maintenance-based. Each factor has a customizable rating (from 1 to 10) and a pre-assigned, but also modifiable, "weight factor", resulting in a numerical health rating allowing for comparison among multiple entries. Due to the likelihood of incomplete information, individual entries are additionally ranked on the amount of known factors, to allow for the user to easily discern between cables for which enough information is known to make a decision, and those that warrant further study. A more in-depth overview of the software is presented in its user manual.
• Nanotechnology Applications with Utility BenefitsThe objective of this study is to complete a survey of the state of art in nanotechnology and assess its feasibility and applicability to improving electrical distribution system operation
• Distribution System Phasing Using AMI And DSCADA Information, Phase IIThe proposed study is Phase 2 of the CEATI DALCM project 5085 'Distribution System Phasing Using AMI and DSCADA Information'. The scope of this study is to re-conduct the previous analysis using data with higher precision than the data that were used during the first phase of this project and analysis two or three additional feeders. Southern Company's Blue Lake Feeder BL2256 will be re-modeled with comprehensive AMI data provided by Southern Company. The AMI voltage measurement precision should be at least 0.1 volt. The AMI interval demand measurement precision should be at least 0.1 kW. If the results of this analysis are promising then the BCSE method will be tested with two or three more feeder circuits from Southern Company. Southern Company is expected to provide the CYME model and AMI data for all feeders in a format similar to what was provided for BL2256 during phase 1 of the this study.
• Worker Protection On De-Energized Distribution Lines, Phase IIIProject 5075b investigated the effectiveness of protective grounding schemes in protecting linemen from accidental energization and other electrical hazards. Selected conclusions of the 5075b study and the discussion during the review process of the study are listed below. The future research resulting from these conclusions and proposed in this document are included. Note that the 5075b study identified accidental energization as the electrical hazard for which it is most difficult to select protective grounding that provides safe working conditions and consequently the focus of the proposed study is on accidental energization.
• Remedial Treatment of Utility Poles Using Borate Rods and In-Situ Butt Encapsulation, Phase IIThe objective of Phase 2 is to investigate the efficacy of the chemicals identified in Phase 1 by doing field tests on aged pole butts from poles removed from service. The butts will be set in a test plot and treated with the potential barrier formers and borate rods will be introduced at the ground line. At selected time intervals (e.g. 2.5, 5, 8, and x years) specimens will be removed and sectioned. The sections will be analysed for borate concentrations and distribution in the ground line region. Moisture determinations will be made and the migration and distribution of the barrier material will be determined where possible.

Recently Completed Projects