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Publication Details
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| WSP 5000-02 |
2002 |
DALCM |
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Utility Pole Structure Workshop - June 17-18, 2002 - Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada (Proceedings)
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With the decline of load growth in the early 1980s, utilities' focus has shifted more towards maintaining and prolonging the life of current assets and less on building new facilities. Poles, underground cables and transformers, in particular, represent significant investment where even a modest increase in service life can make a major improvement on a utility’s bottom line.
Many existing electrical T&D lines are constructed with wood poles. As weather, rot, insects,fungus and other elements reduce the service life of poles, line owners are working to find the most cost-effective methods for maintenance, repair or replacement of these assets. Today, this is critical, as a large portion of utility pole plant is nearing the end of its original life expectancy. Even modest management improvements can produce a significant capital benefit.
In recent years, pole substitute materials such as concrete, steel, laminated wood and fiberglass can compete with wood for lowest life cycle costs. These alternative materials also reduce environmental concerns (with the reduced use of pesticides and preservative materials to impregnate wood poles). New technologies include Global Positioning System and Aerial Mapping. Options for treatment and reinforcement continue to evolve, providing a sometimes confusing menu of choices.
This workshop presents opportunities to discuss aspects of asset management, the latest industrydevelopments and the challenges of lowest life cycle costs.
This two-day workshop comprised of 25 presentations. See Event Details for more information.
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