DO YOU KNOW THE PROBLEMS LURKING BENEATH THE SURFACE?
Underground electrical systems are perfect for hiding a city’s critical infrastructure, but this can keep major problems concealed until it’s too late. The main advantages of underground systems are improved reliability and safety, but if a system is not proactively managed, both are impacted. Due to resource constraints and workloads, many utilities resort to a reactive program to manage their underground systems, leaving them in a perpetuated cycle of catch-up. The most obvious issues are prioritized, leaving little time or budget to evaluate areas for improvement. There were more than 45,000 emergency manhole incidents recorded by the New York City Fire Department between 2009 and 2018, which accounted for 57 injuries.
Did You Know? There are an estimated 5 million manholes in the US. With decades of changes and additions, many utilities struggle to keep up-to-date records of the condition and contents of each manhole.
• While underground systems provide high reliability, a lack of visibility can create a false sense of security for the systems’ resiliency. • A host of contaminants and environmental effects threaten the performance of underground systems on a daily basis, including chemicals, salt, water, mud, ice, and heat. • Beyond reliability concerns, old cables and aging equipment experience degradation and materials break down causing dangerous atmospheric conditions.
With a vast system spread out across a congested city center, where do you begin to develop a program to collect and manage data to take corrective action?
Collect:
Our proprietary mobile application lays out the assessment process with key questions and data needed so that every technician provides consistent, thorough reporting.
Manage:
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Managing the manhole data through a GIS framework allows an owner to leverage knowledge within engineering, asset management, and field operations.
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Correct:
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Data is analyzed based on risk and impact to address the most critical items first.
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Detailed structural/electrical assessments of each manhole allows owners to identify issues early. This includes thermography and atmospheric testing to identify potential problem areas and provide historical context while keeping crews safe. Defects are flagged and rated based on severity and risk.
Mobile access offers improved situational awareness for crews responding to emergency situations. During engineering and design, information can be easily accessed, limiting trips to the field.
The database allows additional work to be packaged with critical items for efficient execution. Visual mapping is provided to show status of the program.
How can CapEx be leveraged? Aldridge has proven that despite presumed roadblocks due to budget constraints, the data provided within this program allows for optimal use of funds. Here’s how: •
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An engineering study could be performed through this program, utilizing the data for planning, justification, and budgeting of future projects. Conducting assessments as a part of a larger systemwide capital program.
“The data and intelligence provided by the assessment program has allowed our team to make data driven decisions that resulted in avoiding potentially serious failures and improving system reliability for our customers.” -William M. Ruggeri Director, Distribution Planning, Smart Grid & Innovation, Technical Services Pepco Holdings
Questions? Jeff Knippel Vice President 847.247.5243 jknippel@aldridgegroup.com
Dustin Prescott Director of Business Development 847.946.0446 dprescott@aldridgegroup.com
Scan Here to Watch Our Manhole Assessment Program Video:
aldridgegroup.com/manholes