4.1 INTRODUCTION There is a great amount of infrastructure devoted to distributing electricity to the final consumer. What is Distribution? At some point along its journey from generation to customer, electricity will be “stepped down” or decreased from the high voltage at which it has travelled across transmission lines to lower voltages closer to what customers require. From here onward, we are within the local distribution grid. The distribution grid performs important functions that allow the safe and reliable delivery of electricity for use in homes, businesses, and institutions.
Reference Documents To facilitate your understanding of terminology used in this course, please download the glossary of electrical terms. If you are not using a mouse or touchscreen to navigate the course, please download the keyboard navigation instructions.
Local Distribution Company Tasks A Local Distribution Company can be responsible for all these tasks. •
Plan: Review performance and analyze distribution asset reliability, project consumer demand growth, and develop capital and maintenance plans.
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Design: Apply utility engineering standards and project management rigour to projects and execute the capital and maintenance plans.
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Build: Bring engineering designs to construction and completion.
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Operate: 24/7 operation of distribution facilities.
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Maintain: Maintain and repair physical assets/infrastructure, such as transmission lines.
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Restore: Manage power outages and communicate with customers during such outages.
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Meter: Measure the customer’s consumption.
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Bill: Obtain all the usage information and bill the customer.
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Collect: Manage payment collection and disconnection for non-payment.
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Customer Care: Manage the ongoing relationship with customers.
Electricity Canada | Electricity Fundamental in Canada: Student Handbook
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