Conducted a distribution system condition assessment for a New England electric utility.  This involved reviewing operational and management processes, staffing and performance metrics.  As part of this assignment we conducted a field inspection of a sampled portion of the distribution system to asses the physical condition and vegetation encroachment.  Our findings and resulting recommendations highlighted the need for the utility to enhance its inspection process and to increase its vegetation management program to achieve improved reliability results.

Independent assessment of PacifiCorp’s report of the holiday storm, which occurred in Utah during December 2003, Our assessment provided comment and analysis on PacifiCorp’s conclusions and recommendations, and suggested additional recommendations and comparative industry data in a number of topic areas.  Subsequent to completion of this review, we were asked to perform a follow-up review of the status of the company’s implementation of our recommendations.

Review and investigation of an East Coast state’s electric utilities’ system reliability subsequent to power outages experienced during July 1999.  Our assessment focused on distribution and transmission O&M and staffing, engineering and construction practices, planning processes and design criteria, and forensic investigation of major equipment failures.

Assessment of the underground electric distribution system of a major East Coast electric utility subsequent to numerous explosions.  Effort included physical inspections of manholes and equipment, analysis of primary and secondary network modeling, assessment of applicable new technologies, and attendance at Commission hearings.

Performed an evaluation of the expected impact of implementing a new OMS system on reported system reliability indices for an East Coast electric utility.  This included a detailed review of selected feeder performance (best and worst) to help define recommended baseline bias adjustment to permit future metrics to better reflect actual performance in accordance with proposed PBR mechanisms.

Evaluated the necessity and need to construct a major transmission line to reliably serve customers in the Virginia area.  This evaluation was performed in concert with Commission staff to review plans and justifications presented by both of the electric utilities involved.  This assignment included expert testimony before the Commission.

Performed reliability certifications as part of qualification requirements for winning an annual reliability award.  These reviews included a detailed examination of reliability index calculation methods, data efficacy and reporting compliance.  The reviews provided a graded score used in the winner selection process as well as recommendations to enhance the overall processes to more accurately reflect reliability performance as viewed from the end user perspective.

Performed a reliability certification and causal investigation of apparent underperforming reliability as indicated by reliability indices (SAIFI, SAIDI and CAIDI) for a national electric utility in Africa.  Identified numerical and situational factors such as rural nature of the system, long feeders, low customer density and maintenance and restoration processes that could be improved.

Performed a T&D infrastructure assessment for a Midwestern regulatory agency on one of its regulated electric utilities.  The review included organization and staffing, personnel qualifications, capital budget process, capacity planning, maintenance and vegetation management, emergency restoration plans, and reliability improvement efforts.

In response to a severe ice storm in 1997, a Western regulatory agency ordered the affected electric utility to submit to an audit intended to determine the causal factors for the many and extensive customer outages experienced during that storm.  The study was intended to determine if the utility was practicing adequate system capital, operations & maintenance activities.  Among the issues studied was vegetation management as it plays a pivotal role in outages caused by vegetation contact, especially under heavy ice loads.  A statistical sampled approach was undertaken to define the feeders that would be physically inspected for condition, including recording the state of the vegetation along each span of the sampled feeders.

Conducted a focused management audit of the Water and Power Authority on behalf of the Public Service Commission of an island country.  Recommended changes designed to significantly reduce operating and maintenance costs, reduce overtime labor costs, and make the organization more efficient.  Performed benchmarking against US and Caribbean counterparts.