Digital Data Streamlines Operation & Maintenance at Translta

Key Messages

1 – Ease of Data Collection
TransAlta was determined to improve its competitiveness and become a leader in Transmission and Distribution operations and maintenance. To achieve this we had to utilize advanced mobile technology and leverage on our existing investment in AM/FM technology and data. Providing simple, easy to use access to our AM/FM digital data was our first step. To achieve this goal, we delivered:

Access to the viewer application and related report / backup products, via desktop icons.
Simple master-data download processes (via network or from LS120 Drives ™)
Pre-configured displays, to match to traditional paper map contents.
Powerful location search tools:
- locate by Switch Number, by Legal Land Description, by Address, by Meter and by Customer.

Secondly, making the collection of digital data user friendly during Line Patrol was imperative. We have achieved both of these gaining willingness and acceptance of this new tool by the Customer Service Linemen, many of whom had not used computers previously. The mobile tool allows the Customer Service Linemen to record the condition he has observed, the action he recommends and the priority of the work. All were donewith simple commands and pick lists for easy point and click data entry. The software automatically enters the user name, date and time against every feature identified for work or tested. This gives the corporation more timely accurate information with exact date and name of the individual who identified the work. Finally, we have made getting this new digital data back into our master AM/FM system very simple. When the Customer Service Lineman is back at his base either a Service Point office or his own home he can download the data either through an Ethernet or model connection with a simple push of a button. The new digital data is sent back to the master AM/FM system. This makes the data available immediately for viewing and reporting by the centralized Operations and Maintenance team.

2 – Importance of Accuracy
TransAlta has implemented a Reliability Centered Maintenance (RCM) program. The RCM program requires timely accurate data to effectively trend facility conditions and be able to make timely, cost effective decisions on maintenance. Consistent reporting of facility conditions is imperative and with this tool all Customer Service Linemen use the same pick lists. This now allows us to easily see trends or patterns in our facility conditions and failures. Now we are able to establish preventive maintenance programs that will extend the life of our facilities, saving maintenance costs and improving the bottom line of our business.

Using the Field View Tool allows us to use this new accurate digital data in the form of an excel file to show our Contractors exactly what work is required. They then can locate the work using the same tool, eliminating the need for paper maps and construction plans of work required. Contractors can then digitally record work completed and upload this data immediately upon completion. This digital data is then used both for payment to the Contractor for work completed and as an auditing tool to ensure that work was done. By having everyone use the same digital data over and over again for different functions, far more accurate and timely data is provided, eliminating errors due to data translations.

3 – How this Digital Data is Used
The Maintenance Planner can now use this digital data to produce reports by priority the following day, which show all the work that was identified in the field. This provides the Maintenance Planner with the ability to produce a plan of the work that should be undertaken and the ability to combine this work with neighboring Service Points. The report can then be used as specific work instructions giving the Construction Crews exact description of what was seen and what work is required. This allows the Maintenance Planner to send the Construction Crew into an area to complete all the work at one time, saving multiple trips into the same geographic area.

Another benefit of digital data is the ability to download this new up to date information quickly preventing Customer Service Linemen from duplicating work. He now has visibility to what his fellow Customer Service Linemen have completed. This also, gives him an overview of what has not been done allowing him to coordinate this Line Patrol with other work he may have in those uncompleted areas.

Digital data makes managing our contractors’ work such as Pole Testing a much more efficient and effective process. The contractor uses our Field View tool to record pole test data, conditions required and action completed against the actual feature. This digital information is submitted weekly to our maintenance group, they immediately upload this information into our Master AM/FM model. Producing a report of this work not only gives us a summary of what they have found, suggest or have completed, it is also used as a reverse invoice for payment to the contractor. This saves the contractor the hassle of recording and managing paper records and creating separate invoices.