1 / 29

Energy Networks Association

Energy Networks Association. Looking Beyond the Problem David Smith Utility Arboriculture Group Conference July 2011. Vegetation Management. Summary. ENA – Function, members Current and Future Issues and Challenges Vegetation Management Regulation Engineering & Network Performance

wilona
Download Presentation

Energy Networks Association

An Image/Link below is provided (as is) to download presentation Download Policy: Content on the Website is provided to you AS IS for your information and personal use and may not be sold / licensed / shared on other websites without getting consent from its author. Content is provided to you AS IS for your information and personal use only. Download presentation by click this link. While downloading, if for some reason you are not able to download a presentation, the publisher may have deleted the file from their server. During download, if you can't get a presentation, the file might be deleted by the publisher.

E N D

Presentation Transcript


  1. Energy Networks Association • Looking Beyond the Problem • David Smith • Utility Arboriculture Group • Conference July 2011

  2. Vegetation Management

  3. Summary • ENA – Function, members • Current and Future Issues and Challenges • Vegetation Management • Regulation • Engineering & Network Performance • Safety Challenges • Conference Programme

  4. Energy Networks Association • What is ENA - What do we do? • Industry Body for UK and Ireland Energy Networks • Transmission and Distribution licence holders • Gas and Electricity • Range from Large International to Independent • Mainly Regulated Businesses

  5. Electricity Members

  6. Gas Members

  7. Energy Networks Association • ENA Represents members interests, including in Europe • Regulation, legislation, increasingly EU driven. • Engineering, key standards in Electricity • Safety, Health and Environment • GISG

  8. Energy Networks Association • Current and Coming Issues • Climate Change, increase in renewable energy • Increase in Nuclear Power • Increased reliance on Networks • Electric Vehicles, massive increase planned • The Smart Network!

  9. Energy Networks Association • This Decade Transmission Rebuild • 2020 Onwards Distribution Rebuild • Needed to facilitate Smarter Grids

  10. The Smart Network The smart network will see the distribution system move from a passive (one way) power flow to an active (two way) system where the customer can export (sell back) additional energy they do not need. Source: European Commission European SmartGrids Technology Platform

  11. Energy Networks Association • Scale of Reinforcement required is huge • £200 billion over next few decades • Requires Networks to get “Smart” and more active • Better Data gathering & communication required • Generation Availability & Load Management • A key part of Smart Networks is Smart Metering

  12. UK Smart Metering Programme

  13. The System

  14. Energy Networks Association • Other Challenges we face: • Adaptation of The Industry to Climate Change • Carbon Capture – Gas Industry expertise • Skills Existing and New – NS Academy for Power • Estimated 9,000 new staff required in Electricity

  15. Energy Networks Association • Steady Improvement in accident rate since Privatisation • BUT! We must never be complacent • The Hazards remain the same • They must continue to be controlled • Improvements more challenging • Powering Improvement, 5 year H&S initiative

  16. Powering Improvement

  17. Metal Theft

  18. Vegetation Management • How does VM fit into all this? • Three Interrelated Aspects • Regulation • Engineering, (Customer Service, Network Performance) • Health Safety and Environment • ENA serves it members ultimately it is member led • Common position on many issues, not all • ENA seeks common approach but cannot impose

  19. VM - Regulation • ESQC Regulations General Duty • Maintain line clearances for Public Safety • ENA TS 43-08 OHL Clearances – defines clearances • ESQCR Amended 2006 – Specific Duty – Reg. 20A • Maintain clearances to avoid contact causing interruptions • Duty is qualified – so far as is reasonably practicable

  20. VM - Regulation • Expectations from Regulators: • Management and Inspection Programmes to be set up • Programmes to be kept up to date by January 2009 • Standards to be set, Best Practice to be carried out • Communicate with stakeholders • In Recognition of ESQC 2006 • - Ofgem Increased Allowance for VM

  21. VM Regulation • Electricity Act 1989 (As Amended) Schedule 4 Para 9 • Gives Network Operators power to fell or lop trees • Where they could become a source of Danger or • Where they interfere with the line • Sets out Process and conditions • Simple then?

  22. VM Regulation • Statutory Powers are fine in theory but • Risk of Wayleave Loss • Access problems • Adverse publicity • The Power of Complaints

  23. Engineering • - ETR 136 – VM Near Electricity Equipment • ETR 132 – Risk Based VM in Abnormal Weather • ER G55 – Safe Tree Working in The Proximity of OHL • WG Developing Guidance on Mechanical Harvesters As well as TS 43-08 other ENA “Standards” Play a Key Role: Companies have also produced own procedures etc.

  24. Change since 2006 • Increased Activity • Expenditure allowed increased by 31% on average • Is it enough? • Are Company Networks now Compliant? • Allowing for “So far as is reasonably practicable” • Increase in VM work adjacent to key circuits • HV and EHV Networks most straightforward • LV Networks most challenging?

  25. Health Safety and Environment • VM hazards are potentially severe • Working at height, Chainsaws, Felling trees, Rough terrain, Electricity • Harsh environment, Heavy machinery, winches, lifting

  26. Health Safety and Environment • More Severe hazards require tighter controls • DNOs experienced in managing severe hazards • DNOs keen to work with UAG to reduce incident rates • Feedback from the Safety Summit later today

  27. Health Safety and Environment • ENA - UAG Joint short term joint goal: • Eliminate Fatalities and serious injuries • Reduce rates to parity with low hazard activities • In longer term - strive towards zero incidents • In addition to tightening existing controls, • Consider new approaches • Greater use of Harvesters, shrouding? And ..... ? • Between us • We know Networks - You know Trees • If we can’t crack this no-one can!

  28. A Varied Conference • Some other things you will be hearing about: • Benchmarking • How do others do it • ER G55/2 – what difference has it made? • How can you use plant more effectively? • Trees and biomass for energy • Guaranteed service standards • “Doing” VM environmentally • Should be stimulating!

  29. And Finally! • Ideally what the industry wants from VM: • Do it safely • Ensure the safety of the public and third parties • Eliminate damage and faults from Vegetation • A fair allowance from Ofgem • Do the work efficiently • Minimise Customer Interruptions • Keep Landowners happy • Minimise impact on Environment

More Related