AEGIS | AEGIS London >>
Loss Control Webinars

Electric | Gas | All types of utility operations

Electric

Electric utilities are involved in various phases of Smart Grid technology integration into their systems. This program discusses Pepco Holdings Inc.’s efforts and challenges in the deployment and integration of their Advanced Metering Infrastructure.

The webinar on Partial Discharge Testing discusses large power transformers, which are important parts of any power generation or transmission network. As the age of these assets increases, the rate of failure increases. Failures can result in unplanned outages and loss of generation. These contingencies can be averted through preventive maintenance, inspection and testing, thus avoiding costly downtime.

One important diagnostic is Partial Discharge Testing. This test technique allows monitoring of a transformer during operation and thus provides valuable data about its condition.

This webinar was presented by Matthew Kennedy of Doble Engineering. The presentation focuses on transformer diagnostics and includes case studies.

The webinar discussed the significance of dissolved gas analysis test results in relation to the internal condition of electric power transformers. Levels of different dissolved gases can help alert electric utility personnel to specific conditions and potential failures inside a transformer. The presenter, Lance Lewand, is the laboratory manager for the Doble Materials Laboratory and the product manager for the Doble DOMINO®, a moisture-in-oil sensor.

Note: Due to technical errors, there is a 90-second audio gap that occurs about 19 minutes into this program. The PowerPoint slides continue without interruption so please wait for the audio portion to resume.

Testing of transformer insulating oil is one of the most important maintenance tools available to a power plant or transmission utility. In addition, continuous remote monitoring of transformers can identify changes in the oil in real time, and help to avert unplanned outages. Detection and analysis of fault gases and other contaminants in transformer oil can help to predict a developing failure and allow shutdown of a transformer before it fails in service.

This webinar is a presentation by representatives of Morgan Schaffer Inc., experts in the fields of oil sampling, dissolved gas analysis and monitoring of large oil-filled power transformers. The presentation shows the value of such testing to electric utilities in planning outages and removing transformers from service before failures occur. It includes case studies that illustrate the use of these techniques in the field.

November 17, 2008 - Aircraft Wire Strikes: What You Should Know

The webinar featured three speakers. Bob Feerst from Utilities Aviation Specialist, Inc. discussed the nature of aircraft wire strikes and who has rights to the airspace. Arthur Bradbury, Manager Aircraft Services, Southern California Edison Company, talked about why aviation wire strikes occur and the importance of educating aircraft operators about how to avoid the hazards associated with overhead electric lines. He also touched on the new initiative to educate aviators. Thomas Damon, Director of Marketing and Sales - North America, OCAS, discussed the Obstacle Collision Avoidance System. OCAS is an innovative new active recognition and warning system that helps protect flight obstacles such as power lines, communications towers and wind turbines. The OCAS system is radar-based and provides both visual and audio warnings to flight crews.

This webinar focused on the growing problem of copper theft at electric utilities throughout North America. As worldwide demand for copper has risen over the past several years, supplies have tightened and prices have increased dramatically. As a result, copper is being recycled more often, which in turn, has expanded the market for used and stolen copper. Electric utilities across the US and Canada have been the targets of copper thieves. The problem affects utilities in the areas of increased costs, service reliability and worker safety. Alice Lippert (U.S. Department of Energy) and Robert Puts (Pacific Gas and Electric Company) were the speakers for this webinar.

Gas

Gas utilities are mandated by 49 CFR 192 to conduct leakage surveys of their transmission and distribution systems at specific intervals. The method of conducting these surveys varies from actually walking over the gas mains with portable leak detection equipment to riding over the systems with mobile leak detection equipment.

The webinar focused on a relatively new leak detection technology called Remote Methane Leak Detection. This technology is an eye-safe, laser-based natural gas sensor that detects gas leaks quickly and efficiently up to 100 feet away. This allows remote detection of hard-to-reach areas and difficult terrains.

This webinar focused on natural gas odorization and the importance of a comprehensive plan that ensures odor levels can be readily detected by customers and members of the general public. Tom NIckells, Gas Pipeline Supervisor from Northern Indiana Public Service Company, discussed issues such as odorant injection, contingency plans, odor level verification, documenting findings, and correcting deficiencies in odor levels.

This webinar focused on the concept that a gas company's main goal is not finding and fixing leaks, but rather helping ensure public and personal safety through the proper training of its first responders. Subject matter experts, Ron Six of AEGIS and Joe Morello of New Jersey Natural Gas Company, discussed issues of important concern to natural gas utility first responders and pointed out what can go wrong when they become complacent in performing their duties.

George Lomax of Heath Consultants, a recognized industry expert in the area of gas leak management, addressed the issue of re-classifying or downgrading natural gas leaks. Various operating and demographic parameters that companies may consider in reviewing or establishing their re-classification practices where covered.

All types of utility operations

Unmarked sewer laterals present significant challenges to companies installing gas pipelines using trenchless installation methods such as directional drilling. Unlike damaged gas, electric, water and telecommunications lines, cross-bored sewer laterals may go undetected for extended periods. These cross-borings sometimes cause the damaged sewer piping to become clogged. In some instances, when attempting to clear the clogged sewer laterals, the obstructions — which are the natural gas lines — are easily and unknowingly damaged, resulting in leaking gas which then rapidly accumulates to explosive levels in the sewer.

This webinar will include presentations from Mike Kempner, President of Northern Pipeline, Jerry Schmitz of Southwest Gas, and David Schlee, Esq., who will discuss prudent approaches to underground natural gas utility construction practices utilizing trenchless technology.

The use of contractors in the utility industry is a common and long-standing practice, and it has increased in recent years along with the diversity of work assignments. Utilities should pre-qualify and engage contractors who have demonstrated satisfactory safety performance, have Occupational Safety & Health programs, provide safety and technical skills training and have evaluation procedures that are acceptable to the utility. This information should not only be reviewed but also verified prior to engaging the contractor.

The webinar included a presentation by ISN, an organization that collects self-reported conformance information from contractors, verifies its accuracy, and then reports the results to contractees in an easy-to-follow format. This allows organizations to select contractors that best meet internal and governmental requirements, while providing contractors and suppliers with the ability to centralize their conformance information.

Gas and electric utility first responders are often called upon to assist fire service personnel during fires and other emergency situations. It is important that these employees understand the essentials of the fire service's Incident Management System. Two of the main components of the Incident Management System are unity of command and clear written communications. Utility personnel must know which emergency response agencies are on site and who the fire service incident commander is. This webinar included presentations from fire service experts and gas and electric utilities describing the critical components of the Incident Management System and how they are employed at incident scenes.

Experts predict that 45% of the electric and natural gas utility workforce will reach retirement age within ten years. According to the American Public Power Association in Work Force Planning for Public Power Utilities: "The loss of critical knowledge and the inability to find replacements with utility-specific skills are the two biggest challenges facing public power utilities as a result of workforce aging." The webinar focused on the extent of this issue and programs instituted by utilities to address it. Presenters were Kris Emaus (NiSource), Fred Dennert (BC Hydro), and Sandy Hagerty (Pacific Gas and Electric Company).