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Learn how City of Ocala Electric Utility in FL prepares for hurricanes, inspects facilities, coordinates efforts, and enhances readiness to ensure effective storm hardening and post-storm recovery measures.
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Florida Public Service Commission May 1, 2008 2008 HURRICANE SEASON PREPARATION BRIEFING Presented by Rebecca Mattey, Director City of Ocala Electric Utility
City of Ocala Electric Utility • Located in central Florida, 80 miles from the west coast. • 160.2 sq miles of service area • 800 miles of overhead lines • 49,510 total customers • 40,843 residential • 8,667 commercial and industrial
Storm Hardening Facility Inspections • 8 year inspection cycle • 2007 Inspections Results • 7.1% of distribution poles required attention • 80 were restored & 100 replaced • 5.2% of transmission poles required attention • 23 will be restored & 12 replaced • Inspections are having a positive impact on storm hardening
Personnel Readiness • Place trucks and personnel in Fire houses to immediately assist with down lines during the FD search and rescue post storm • Place a trouble crew in each quadrant of the city to handle service line issues • Provide training to county employees on electrical hazard recognition to enhance cooperation during restoration.
Personnel Readiness • Train and equip personnel from electric engineering to serve as on-site coordinators for responding contractors/utilities. • Train and equip meter readers and other non technical personnel to be “runners” for the restoration crews • Working on certification for key personnel in National Incident Command System
Coordination Efforts • Other Utilities/Agencies • FMEA • Mutual Aid Coordinator • Reporting Coordinator for all Florida Municipal Utilities to State EOC • OUC • Balancing Authority • Seminole/Progress Energy • Transmission operator for OEU system • FMPA • Centralized collection agency for monthly outage and reliability data
Coordination Efforts • Government Agencies • Marion County Emergency Management Center • Local law enforcement/fire agencies • Community Groups • Ocala Tree Commission • Marion County Planning Board
Various Storm Hardening Measures • Vegetation Management Efforts • Complies with NERC standards. • Promotion of appropriate planting & landscaping • 3 Yr Trim Cycle for both Distribution and Transmission
Various Storm Hardening Measures • Vegetation Management Efforts • Problem tree removal policies • Identification, removal, or reduction of Imminent threat to system between cycle • Ordinance language specific to planting distances
Various Storm Hardening Measures • New developments required to go underground • Evaluation of new pole attachments for wind loading • Steel poles for transmission construction
Post Storm Recovery Plans • Implementation of Emergency Restoration Plan • Annual training of all employees on roles and responsibilities prior to start of storm season • Evaluation of inventory and equipment prior to start of storm season
Forensic Data Collection Plans • Member of FMEA which is participating with all electric utilities in storm hardening research through the Public Utility Research Center at UF. • Utility-wide post event evaluation • Forensic Assessment of Damage • Emergency plan update • Upgrade field facilities as identified
Areas of Concern or Vulnerability • Overhead radial 230kv line, investigation underway to close loop • Availability of emergency restoration contractors • Housing
Conclusion The City of Ocala Electric Utility constantly seeks to improve storm hardening and restoration