Reliability and Asset Management
Results of the query are made persistent so the information of a particular analysis can be
recalled for later use. An object will be stored in the GIS database capturing the analysis
information. The information will be viewable through a standard reporting interface
(RAMS Reporting Tool) and the GIS Object Browser.
Architural Overview
SRP’s RAMS application consists of a GIS platform, a work order system and an intranet
web based application. The GIS serves as the centerpiece for workflow, it in turn
provides all the printed map functionality, analysis capability and data capture
components. The work order system is a stand-alone system that is leverage by the GIS
using ODBC connectivity. The web application provides an interface to collect data
about equipment inspections by equipment inspectors. The web component is an
extension of the GIS and interfaces directly with GIS databases and objects.
Scope of the Utility and Service Area
In determining the need for the investment in the GIS it is important to outline the
magnitude of infrastructure to be maintained by the utility. Below is a summary of the
quantities of candidate equipment that is managed by the computer application.
Table 1
| Number of transformers |
Approximately 123,000 |
| Number of switches |
Approximately 22,100 |
| Number of capacitors |
Approximately 2,450 |
| Number of feeders |
approximately 1,030 |
| Number of substations |
approximately 180 |
| Number of poles |
Approximately 144,000 |
RAMS GIS is SRP’s approach to determining the value associated when damage or
failure occurs to distribution or transmission structures and their related equipment. The
general nature of reactive maintenance puts the utility in the position where a storm can
potentially leave thousands of customers without power. The mobilization of dispatches,
troubleshooters, line crews, customer service representatives, media representatives, and
many others can be normalized by the implementation of a work flow and data capture
process which leverage the unique capabilities of a GIS.
Utilizing another perspective, which addresses the availability of limited resources, is
how RAMS GIS helps to determine the best use of the limited capital resources. RAMS
is an evolving, growing, integrated set of applications providing a spatial view of the
existing and planned work; support for the inspection of various power system
components such as wood poles, street lights, and other devices routinely inspected using
infrared technology. The RAMS system provides predictive analysis and prioritization
related to cable failures and associated replacement. Both analysis types either interface
to the work management or extract data from customer information services systems.
These tools provide significant improvements to the preventative maintenance process
that ultimately improves system reliability.
Wood pole and line Equipment Inspection Prioritization
To minimize the impact of high winds on it’s above ground electrical system, SRP is
accelerating its efforts to inspect and maintain its wood poles. Over a period of 10 years,
SRP anticipates on spending $22 million to complete a single pass thru of “wood pole
inspection” for its transmission and distribution lines. It will inspect, preserve or replace
the 130,000 plus poles in its transmission and distribution system. Currently, crews are
inspecting about 10,000 poles each year.
RAMS is built on a GIS platform and provides a single spatially enabled application that
consolidates and integrates various stand-alone processes. Previously, each department
worked essentially in a vacuum, meeting the department’s local needs. Occasionally a
conflict would arise between other groups for resources, and the inefficiency of one crew
inspecting the same pole another did, becomes frustratingly apparent. Before RAMS
there were no means of viewing what the other departments were doing in regards to
inspections, prioritization of work, and submittal of work orders.
RAMS has effectively provided for consistency in the work order process among various
departments, eliminating duplicate inspection efforts, and ensuring that the same piece of
equipment has not been assigned to multiple active or proposed work orders.
In the wood pole and line inspection prioritization process, emphasis is placed on
inspection cycles that will allow all equipment to be evaluated in a ten years. Therefore
predicative analysis is not utilized, rather preventive analysis is performed. This insures
the inspection results themselves determine the likelihood of any individual piece of
equipment failing. Given that approach, a more simplistic assumption of more kilowatts
on a facility equals higher priority for inspections, is utilized. Subsequently, the GIS will
maximize the efficiencies of the fieldwork by logistically grouping these activities by
mapping quarter sections. In the past an inspector may be physically close to other
equipment that a schematic approach did not reveal as candidate equipment to be
inspected.
