Energy Networks Association

1. Energy Networks Association • Looking Beyond the Problem • David Smith • Utility Arboriculture Group • Conference July 2011

2. Vegetation Management

3. Summary • ENA – Function, members • Current and Future Issues and Challenges • Vegetation Management • Regulation • Engineering & Network Performance • Safety Challenges • Conference Programme

4. Energy Networks Association • What is ENA - What do we do? • Industry Body for UK and Ireland Energy Networks • Transmission and Distribution licence holders • Gas and Electricity • Range from Large International to Independent • Mainly Regulated Businesses

5. Electricity Members

6. Gas Members

7. Energy Networks Association • ENA Represents members interests, including in Europe • Regulation, legislation, increasingly EU driven. • Engineering, key standards in Electricity • Safety, Health and Environment • GISG

8. Energy Networks Association • Current and Coming Issues • Climate Change, increase in renewable energy • Increase in Nuclear Power • Increased reliance on Networks • Electric Vehicles, massive increase planned • The Smart Network!

9. Energy Networks Association • This Decade Transmission Rebuild • 2020 Onwards Distribution Rebuild • Needed to facilitate Smarter Grids

10. The Smart Network The smart network will see the distribution system move from a passive (one way) power flow to an active (two way) system where the customer can export (sell back) additional energy they do not need. Source: European Commission European SmartGrids Technology Platform

11. Energy Networks Association • Scale of Reinforcement required is huge • £200 billion over next few decades • Requires Networks to get “Smart” and more active • Better Data gathering & communication required • Generation Availability & Load Management • A key part of Smart Networks is Smart Metering

12. UK Smart Metering Programme

13. The System

14. Energy Networks Association • Other Challenges we face: • Adaptation of The Industry to Climate Change • Carbon Capture – Gas Industry expertise • Skills Existing and New – NS Academy for Power • Estimated 9,000 new staff required in Electricity

15. Energy Networks Association • Steady Improvement in accident rate since Privatisation • BUT! We must never be complacent • The Hazards remain the same • They must continue to be controlled • Improvements more challenging • Powering Improvement, 5 year H&S initiative

16. Powering Improvement

17. Metal Theft

18. Vegetation Management • How does VM fit into all this? • Three Interrelated Aspects • Regulation • Engineering, (Customer Service, Network Performance) • Health Safety and Environment • ENA serves it members ultimately it is member led • Common position on many issues, not all • ENA seeks common approach but cannot impose

19. VM - Regulation • ESQC Regulations General Duty • Maintain line clearances for Public Safety • ENA TS 43-08 OHL Clearances – defines clearances • ESQCR Amended 2006 – Specific Duty – Reg. 20A • Maintain clearances to avoid contact causing interruptions • Duty is qualified – so far as is reasonably practicable

20. VM - Regulation • Expectations from Regulators: • Management and Inspection Programmes to be set up • Programmes to be kept up to date by January 2009 • Standards to be set, Best Practice to be carried out • Communicate with stakeholders • In Recognition of ESQC 2006 • - Ofgem Increased Allowance for VM

21. VM Regulation • Electricity Act 1989 (As Amended) Schedule 4 Para 9 • Gives Network Operators power to fell or lop trees • Where they could become a source of Danger or • Where they interfere with the line • Sets out Process and conditions • Simple then?

22. VM Regulation • Statutory Powers are fine in theory but • Risk of Wayleave Loss • Access problems • Adverse publicity • The Power of Complaints

23. Engineering • - ETR 136 – VM Near Electricity Equipment • ETR 132 – Risk Based VM in Abnormal Weather • ER G55 – Safe Tree Working in The Proximity of OHL • WG Developing Guidance on Mechanical Harvesters As well as TS 43-08 other ENA “Standards” Play a Key Role: Companies have also produced own procedures etc.

24. Change since 2006 • Increased Activity • Expenditure allowed increased by 31% on average • Is it enough? • Are Company Networks now Compliant? • Allowing for “So far as is reasonably practicable” • Increase in VM work adjacent to key circuits • HV and EHV Networks most straightforward • LV Networks most challenging?

25. Health Safety and Environment • VM hazards are potentially severe • Working at height, Chainsaws, Felling trees, Rough terrain, Electricity • Harsh environment, Heavy machinery, winches, lifting

26. Health Safety and Environment • More Severe hazards require tighter controls • DNOs experienced in managing severe hazards • DNOs keen to work with UAG to reduce incident rates • Feedback from the Safety Summit later today

27. Health Safety and Environment • ENA - UAG Joint short term joint goal: • Eliminate Fatalities and serious injuries • Reduce rates to parity with low hazard activities • In longer term - strive towards zero incidents • In addition to tightening existing controls, • Consider new approaches • Greater use of Harvesters, shrouding? And ..... ? • Between us • We know Networks - You know Trees • If we can’t crack this no-one can!

28. A Varied Conference • Some other things you will be hearing about: • Benchmarking • How do others do it • ER G55/2 – what difference has it made? • How can you use plant more effectively? • Trees and biomass for energy • Guaranteed service standards • “Doing” VM environmentally • Should be stimulating!

29. And Finally! • Ideally what the industry wants from VM: • Do it safely • Ensure the safety of the public and third parties • Eliminate damage and faults from Vegetation • A fair allowance from Ofgem • Do the work efficiently • Minimise Customer Interruptions • Keep Landowners happy • Minimise impact on Environment