Date post: | 31-Dec-2015 |
Category: |
Documents |
Upload: | herrod-gonzalez |
View: | 12 times |
Download: | 0 times |
Burying the Distribution WiresBurying the Distribution Wires(A Modest Proposal To Encourage Investment in (A Modest Proposal To Encourage Investment in
Underground Distribution Lines)Underground Distribution Lines)
Presented at Presented at
The Florida PSC’sThe Florida PSC’s
Electric Utility Infrastructure Staff WorkshopElectric Utility Infrastructure Staff Workshop
by by
Charles A. FalconeCharles A. FalconeCommissioner, Town of Jupiter IslandCommissioner, Town of Jupiter Island
Tallahassee, FloridaTallahassee, FloridaJanuary 23, 2006January 23, 2006
Town of Jupiter IslandTown of Jupiter Island
A Small Town of Some 600 Homes on a Barrier Island in Martin CountyA Small Town of Some 600 Homes on a Barrier Island in Martin County
We’ve Pressed FPL For Underground Conversion Since Year 2000We’ve Pressed FPL For Underground Conversion Since Year 2000
Our Power Supply Reliability Has Been PoorOur Power Supply Reliability Has Been Poor
We Love Our Trees!We Love Our Trees!
We’re We’re Willing to Pay the Cost of ConversionWilling to Pay the Cost of Conversion , but……., but…….
We don’t want to We don’t want to Overpay!Overpay!
I Used To Be An I Used To Be An 800 Pound Gorilla Too!800 Pound Gorilla Too!
Obstacles To ConversionObstacles To Conversion
High CostHigh Cost
FPL’s Policies—FPL’s Policies—
Easements vs. ROWsEasements vs. ROWs
OverheadsOverheads
Duration of Construction ProjectDuration of Construction Project
OwnershipOwnership
We’re Now Collaborating We’re Now Collaborating
With FPL!With FPL!
History of Jupiter Island’s EffortsHistory of Jupiter Island’s Efforts To Bury Distribution Lines To Bury Distribution Lines
Year s 2000-2002: High Cost Discouraged UsYear s 2000-2002: High Cost Discouraged Us
Years 2003-2004 : On The Back BurnerYears 2003-2004 : On The Back Burner
September 2004 Hurricanes: On The Front Burner!September 2004 Hurricanes: On The Front Burner!
Early 2005: FPL Develops Engineering EstimateEarly 2005: FPL Develops Engineering Estimate
October 2005: Wilma! October 2005: Wilma!
FPL’s EpiphanyFPL’s Epiphany
Epiph-a-ny Epiph-a-ny (Webster): an (Webster): an intuitive grasp of reality through intuitive grasp of reality through something (as an event) usually something (as an event) usually
simple and strikingsimple and striking
Hurricane Wilma CausedHurricane Wilma Caused A Sea Change! A Sea Change!
We’re Now Working Collaboratively We’re Now Working Collaboratively With FPL!With FPL!
The Project Cost may be Lower! FPL is evaluating a The Project Cost may be Lower! FPL is evaluating a cost incentivecost incentive
Agreement on Using the ROW, Where Feasible, for Agreement on Using the ROW, Where Feasible, for Underground Facilities!Underground Facilities!
Town Collaboration on the LayoutTown Collaboration on the Layout
Good Understanding on Hardening the Feeders Coming Good Understanding on Hardening the Feeders Coming Into TownInto Town
Evaluation of Waterproof SwitchgearEvaluation of Waterproof Switchgear
Is Underground Distribution More Is Underground Distribution More Reliable?Reliable?
You Bet!You Bet!
We’re convinced; but you may not be yetWe’re convinced; but you may not be yet
There’s an “Understanding” There’s an “Understanding” Among Utilities….Among Utilities….
Underground is no more reliable than Underground is no more reliable than overheadoverhead
Avoid publishing any data that would Avoid publishing any data that would contradict thiscontradict this
Reliability of Underground vs. Reliability of Underground vs. Overhead DistributionOverhead Distribution
Florida and NationwideFlorida and Nationwide
I’ve read 12 Recent Reports on I’ve read 12 Recent Reports on UG DistributionUG Distribution
Scant Data on Reliability!Scant Data on Reliability!NO Data at all in Florida Reports!NO Data at all in Florida Reports!FPL Ignored Several Requests FPL Ignored Several Requests We’re Collecting Data Ourselves!We’re Collecting Data Ourselves!
Utilities Have Discouraged Conversions!Utilities Have Discouraged Conversions!
Why?Why?It would be a lot of trouble to carry out extensive It would be a lot of trouble to carry out extensive conversionsconversions
This work would not increase ROE— in fact, This work would not increase ROE— in fact,
it would lower ROE!it would lower ROE!
For the existing customers and the same rates, For the existing customers and the same rates, the utility must contribute capital the utility must contribute capital
New customers are different. The utility must New customers are different. The utility must connect them to do businessconnect them to do business
Underground Distribution is Underground Distribution is Especially Desirable in FloridaEspecially Desirable in Florida
Salt Spray Contaminates InsulatorsSalt Spray Contaminates Insulators
Fast Vegetation Growth Interferes With Fast Vegetation Growth Interferes With Overhead LinesOverhead Lines
Highest Lightning Frequency in the USA!Highest Lightning Frequency in the USA!
Hurricanes Happen Here!Hurricanes Happen Here!
Distribution Has Been A Distribution Has Been A “Stepchild”“Stepchild”
Most facilities are oldMost facilities are oldMaintenance and capital additionsMaintenance and capital additions
are “as needed”are “as needed”Book values are a fraction of original cost, Book values are a fraction of original cost, and a smaller fraction of today’s costand a smaller fraction of today’s cost
This is This is great businessgreat business for the utilities! for the utilities! It’s a “Cash Cow”It’s a “Cash Cow”
New neighborhoods are mostly going New neighborhoods are mostly going undergroundunderground
Needed: A Customer-friendly Needed: A Customer-friendly Underground Conversion PolicyUnderground Conversion Policy
In FloridaIn Florida
Good Public Policy--Encourage Good Public Policy--Encourage Towns and Communities to ConvertTowns and Communities to Convert
Towns Must Pay Conversion CostsTowns Must Pay Conversion Costs
But-- Provide a Cost IncentiveBut-- Provide a Cost Incentive
Facilitate Administrative ProcessesFacilitate Administrative Processes
Example:Example:Municipal Utilities Have Carried Municipal Utilities Have Carried
Out Some ConversionsOut Some Conversions
Generally they have encouraged Generally they have encouraged neighborhoods to convert with a modest neighborhoods to convert with a modest cost sharing– around 25%cost sharing– around 25%
Examples: Examples:
Town of Pawley’s Island, SC (Served By Santee Cooper)Town of Pawley’s Island, SC (Served By Santee Cooper)
also --Vero Beach, Fort Piercealso --Vero Beach, Fort Pierce
Questions?Questions?