Trends in North American UVM

Trends in North American Utility Vegetation Management (UVM)

William Porter Principal Author of

CN Utility Consulting Utility Vegetation

Management Benchmark & Industry Intelligence (2010)

Trends in North American UVMOverview

Some Metrics We Are Covering Today:

I. Snapshot of North American UtilitiesII. UVM Program DriversIII. Cycles and Scheduling MethodologyIV. Clearance RequirementsV. UVM MethodsVI. ProductionVII. Customer IssuesVIII. ReliabilityIX. RegulationsX. Conclusion

Introduction

I. Basic Trend In North American UVM: Right Tree-Right Place

II. CNUC Objective: Discover Industry Best Management Practices(BMPs)

Introduction

Introduction

SNAPSHOT OF NORTH AMERICAN UTILITIESCompany Type

SNAPSHOT OF NORTH AMERICAN UTILITIESUtility Type

SNAPSHOT OF NORTH AMERICAN UTILITIESService Territory

SNAPSHOT OF NORTH AMERICAN UTILITIESService Territory Description – Customer Density

SNAPSHOT OF NORTH AMERICAN UTILITIES Overhead System Circuit Kilometres

SNAPSHOT OF NORTH AMERICAN UTILITIES Overhead System Span Kilometres

SNAPSHOT OF NORTH AMERICAN UTILITIES Tree Population

SNAPSHOT OF NORTH AMERICAN UTILITIES Tree Population

UVM PROGRAM DRIVERS

The Most Important Program Driver Is at the Top of the Graph

CYCLES AND SCHEDULING METHODOLOGYCycle Definitions

CYCLES AND SCHEDULING METHODOLOGYCycle Lengths

CYCLES AND SCHEDULING METHODOLOGYCycle Scheduling Methodology

CLEARANCE REQUIREMENTSCalifornia’s Clearance Requirements

GO 95 Rule 35: California has the most comprehensive UVM regulation in North America

Comments made by utilities with requirements:

• This enhances cycle times.• They are our major negotiating tool for obtaining what is proper clearance.• Clearance requirements set clear expectations and assist with funding requests.

CLEARANCE REQUIREMENTSMandatory Clearance Requirements

Opinions are Changing

CLEARANCE REQUIREMENTSDo They Work?

Companies Were Asked, “ Could You Achieve 100% Compliance with a Mandatory Clearance Requirement?”

UVM METHODSCrew Type

UVM METHODSHerbicide Usage

UVM METHODSSpecial Programs Included in Routine Maintenance

PRODUCTIONCost per System Span Kilometre

PRODUCTIONRelative Efficiency

CUSTOMER ISSUESUVM Inquiries per Year

CUSTOMER ISSUESUVM Complaints per Year

CUSTOMER ISSUESPerceived Customer Disconnect

Commentary by Utilities:

• Customer equates aesthetics with proper tree pruning, not aware of utility best management practices for line clearance.

• Although it is getting better, customer expectations are often not in sync with safety and reliability requirements.

CUSTOMER ISSUESUVM Problem Solving That Requires the Most Time

Ranked the Fifth Activity Out of 40 That Requires the Most Problem SolvingCustomer Relations Ranks Tenth

RELIABILITYCauses for Outages

RELIABILITYUS Reliability Metrics

SAIDI =

SAIFI =

CAIDI =

RELIABILITYFrequency of Outages Caused by Trees

LAWS AND REGULATIONSFAC-0003-1

LAWS AND REGULATIONSIncrease in Activities Due to Federal Regulations

CONCLUSIONMeasuring Progress

• This Graph Only Includes Companies with an Established Hazard Tree Removal Program

• Relatively High Correlation of -0.76 Which Means: The More Trees Removed, The Better The Reliability (In other words: SAIFI is Reduced)

CONCLUSION BMPs and Regulations for Right Tree in The Right Place

1. Clear Concept of Cycle Based Scheduling or a Replacement for Cycle Scheduling.

2. Cost Effective and Standardized Method of Tree Inventory/ Work Load Assessment.

3. Capture and Disseminate Research and Development Results.

4. Address the Customer Complaints Proactively, Recognizing the Political Force of an Insignificant Number of Complaints.

5. Keep Open and Debate the Concept of Mandatory Clearance Distances.