Storm Restoration. Bill Smeaton Distribution Superintendent Provincial Lines

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1 Storm Restoration Bill Smeaton Distribution Superintendent Provincial Lines

2 About Hydro One Hydro One owns and operates Ontario's 29,000 km high voltage transmission network that delivers electricity to large industrial customers and municipal utilities. Hydro One also operates a122,000 km lowvoltage distribution system that serves about 1.4 million end use customers and smaller municipal utilities in the province. Hydro One is wholly owned by the Province of Ontario. Hydro One Networks Inc. 2

3 Why does the power go out? Planned Outages From time to time, we have to disconnect the power to make critical repairs or upgrades on our system. This can be an inconvenience to our customers, so we work with communities to determine what dates and times work best and aim to keep these outages to a minimum. Unplanned Outages Mother nature can wreak havoc on our system causing trees to fall on poles, ice to bring down lines, and fires or flooding causing damage to critical equipment. We monitor weather across the province to ensure that we are prepared to act quickly when weather strikes. Hydro One Networks Inc. 3

4 Hydro One Zones and Operations Centres Hydro One has operation centres across the province, to ensure that we can provide a high level of service and quick response times to the communities we serve. Hydro One Networks Inc. 4

5 What happens when the power goes out? When the electricity goes out, Hydro One has a comprehensive recovery plan in place to restore power to our customers as safely and as quickly as possible. Hydro One Networks Inc. 5

6 Ice, wind and fire can all contribute to power outages Hydro One Networks Inc. 6

7 Restoring your Power Step 1 Notify When a customer calls in to report their power is out, an electronic outage report is created for the call, and automatically sent Hydro One s Ontario Grid Control Centre, located in Barrie. From there, the appropriate local Operation Centre is notified and a crew is sent out to assess the situation. The Ontario Grid Control Centre is where Hydro One monitors the distribution and transmission system, for all of Ontario. It is staffed 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Hydro One Networks Inc. 7

8 Restoring your Power Step 2 Emergency Restoration We receive many calls during an outage and they are addressed in order of priority. Our first priority is to respond to 911 emergencies like fires or live lines that are down. We then focus on restoring electricity to essential services such as hospitals, fire and police stations, along with water and sewage treatment facilities. Hydro One Networks Inc. 8

9 Restoring your Power Step 3 Prioritize Our goal is to restore the largest number of customers in the shortest time period. We repair large system elements that serve a large number of customers, and then move on to repair individual lines serving individual customers. Hydro One Networks Inc. 9

10 Restoring your Power Step 4 Mobilize During an outage, assessors inspect lines to determine the nature and extent of storm related damage so that we can quickly mobilize equipment and deploy staff. Where needed, Hydro One will move crews and specialized equipment to assist in hard hit areas. Damage assessors will determine how many poles and transformers are required to restore power. Hydro One Networks Inc. 10

11 Restoring your Power Step 5 Communicate During a power outage, Hydro One repair crews keep the Ontario Grid Control Centre up to date on their progress. Customers looking for updates can visit our website, call us, or check our mobile app. Our FREE mobile app provides up to date outage information with important details like restoration times, effected areas and number of customers with no power. Hydro One Networks Inc. 11

12 Restoring your Power Step 6 Finish the Job Our crews, management and dispatchers stay on the job until we have restored power to everyone. Then we revisit any temporary repairs and help communities clean up after the storm. Hydro One Networks Inc. 12

13 What does Hydro One do to prevent power outages? Tree contacts account for more than 30 per cent of power outages in Ontario and can also cause fires and property damage. Hydro One takes tree clearance requirements for power lines seriously and invests time and money to make sure that our more than 122,000 km of distribution line is kept clear and safe. Hydro One Networks Inc. 13

14 Vegetation Management A tree on a right of way in Ohio came into contact with a power line and triggered the blackout of August The North American Electricity Reliability Corporation (NERC) investigation following the blackout found that if the right of way vegetation had been maintained, the blackout would have been prevented. As a result of the blackout investigation, compliance to international standards is now a mandatory requirement for all North American utilities. Hydro One uses an integrated approach to control the incompatible vegetation on its rights of way and to promote the growth of compatible vegetation. Hydro One Networks Inc. 14

15 Vegetation Management The integrated approach could involve the following: Selectively trimming of removing trees and brush along the right of way that could interfere with crews or equipment access. Branches may be trimmed or pruned back using proper arboricultural techniques to meet North American standards. Hydro One may remove trees growing to the side of the line if the tree could fall and damage the line. In areas where vegetation has become too dense, mechanical removal may be necessary. Hydro One will clear the right of way and re seed the area with a compatible ground cover. Hydro One Networks Inc. 15

16 Damage from trees Before Hydro One can start work to restore power, debris from fallen trees must first be removed. Hydro One Networks Inc. 16

17 Integrated Vegetation Management Approach Part of our integrated vegetation management approach includes a variety of techniques such as the use of mechanical equipment, and the selective application of herbicides. Hydro One technicians assess the vegetation management work required on each right of way and may determine that the selective application of herbicides is required to prevent the regrowth of vegetation. Herbicides will only be applied if consent is provided by individual landowners. It is applied by licensed applicators close to the ground and either directly to the cut surface of trees and brush or to the bark at the base of the stem. They are not applied to any other vegetation or flowers along the corridors. Hydro One Networks Inc. 17

18 Challenges Hydro One s crews face many difficulties restoring power, but they are always ready for the challenge. Weather: Severe weather, including rain, ice, high winds and extreme heat make restoring power difficult and physically exhausting. Access: We work closely with police, fire, and community officials during weather related power outages to access areas where roads have been closed. We also occasionally close roads while we work, for public safety. Damage: Before our crews can begin work restoring power, they must ensure the area is safe. Debris like trees, broken poles and equipment must be cleaned up or removed before efforts to restore power can begin. Off Road Access: In some areas, our equipment is located along unopened road allowances or trails. These areas require specialized equipment like ATVs or helicopters to bring in materials and crews. Hydro One Networks Inc. 18

19 December 2013 Ice Storm The 2013 Ice storm caused tremendous damage to Hydro One s distribution system. In some areas, equipment was covered with more than an inch of ice. At the peak of the storm, approximately 110,000 customers were without power. We had more than 900 line maintainers and more than 400 forestry staff, as well as support and office staff. Crews from areas not affected by the storm were brought into affected areas to help with restoration. This was Hydro One largest staff deployment for a winter storm in over 15 years. Once customers were restored, we provided assistance to Toronto Hydro and Halton Hills Hydro with crews and equipment. Hydro One Networks Inc. 19

20 December 2013 Ice Storm Hydro One Networks Inc. 20

21 Helicopters Hydro One uses helicopters to survey our transmission and distribution corridors for maintenance and damage. We also utilize helicopters for restoring island properties and areas that are difficult to access. Hydro One s Air Stair allows crews to access towers directly from the helicopter. Hydro One Networks Inc. 21

22 Safety Safety of the public and safety of our workers is Hydro One s top priority. Stay clear of fallen power lines. Just because there is an outage, doesn t mean that a fallen line won t cause serious harm. Touching a vehicle or a tree that is in contact with a power line can be fatal. After a storm, check around and in your home for potential electrical damage. Remember, if there is serious damage to your home's connection to the electricity system, your utility may not be able to safely restore power to your home. You will have to arrange for a licensed electrical contractor to make repairs. Hydro One Networks Inc. 22

23 Safety Be prepared in the event of an extended emergency and gather together a 72 hour emergency kit that includes: Water and canned or dried food Windup or battery powered flashlight and radio Cash Medical items you require and a first aid kit Blanket Candles and matches At least one corded phone at home; a cordless phone will not work in a power outage Hydro One Networks Inc. 23

24 Keeping you informed To report a power outage call us at Follow us on Visit the storm centre page on our website at Download our FREE mobile app for your smartphone Hydro One Networks Inc. 24