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What is a Distribution System Plan?

Distribution system planning is a complex and integrated process that requires electrical engineering, operations experience and knowledge of system connectivity in order to maintain reliable electricity for our customers.

Background on SYNERGY NORTH's Distribution System Plan

Before merging with Kenora and becoming Synergy North, Thunder Bay Hydro Electricity Distribution Inc (Thunder Bay Hydro) filed its first Distribution System Plan (DSP) with the Ontario Energy Board (OEB) in May of 2017, covering the period from 2017-2021. This plan included the foundation of its asset management strategies and much of it is still in place today. The use of an Asset Condition Assessment and Health Indexing of assets continues to be the selection tool for replacement assets that are nearing their end of life. Synergy North prioritizes our projects based on ensuring a levelized plan for stable rate setting.

In 2012, Kenora Hydro did not file a Distribution System Plan with the OEB and instead filed an Asset Management Plan. The OEB found that not enough information pertaining to the health of the assets was included in the plan. They determined that they could not justify an increase to the capital budget until the health of the assets were determined. As such, in 2019 when Thunder Bay Hydro merged with Kenora Hydro to become Synergy North Corporation, the methodologies for determining asset condition, health index and the prioritization of investment for determining a capital budget have been implemented and harmonized.

The asset condition assessment and health index model used in the 2016 submission from Thunder Bay Hydro has continued to be utilized and all the assets from Kenora have been incorporated into the flagged for action plans. In addition, the asset management department has further refined the inputs to the model by updating models with known conditions and obtaining additional data, specifically test data for both underground cables and poles.

The improvements in obtaining additional data have enhanced the ongoing assessment of the health of assets and informed investment decisions. For example, by obtaining pole strength data we have been able to understand the extent and variation of pole aging in our service territory due to differences in geographic locations. By obtaining cable testing results, we have come to understand that although much of the underground cable in Thunder Bay was installed in 1980's. This would mean that the underground cable was reaching end of useful life based on its age and the results of the cable testing show that much of the population is still in good condition. Due to this testing, Synergy North has been able to defer investment in assets and schedule replacement based on condition rather than age.

What is a Distribution System Plan?

Distribution system planning is a complex and integrated process that requires electrical engineering, operations experience and knowledge of system connectivity in order to maintain reliable electricity for our customers.

Background on SYNERGY NORTH's Distribution System Plan

Before merging with Kenora and becoming Synergy North, Thunder Bay Hydro Electricity Distribution Inc (Thunder Bay Hydro) filed its first Distribution System Plan (DSP) with the Ontario Energy Board (OEB) in May of 2017, covering the period from 2017-2021. This plan included the foundation of its asset management strategies and much of it is still in place today. The use of an Asset Condition Assessment and Health Indexing of assets continues to be the selection tool for replacement assets that are nearing their end of life. Synergy North prioritizes our projects based on ensuring a levelized plan for stable rate setting.

In 2012, Kenora Hydro did not file a Distribution System Plan with the OEB and instead filed an Asset Management Plan. The OEB found that not enough information pertaining to the health of the assets was included in the plan. They determined that they could not justify an increase to the capital budget until the health of the assets were determined. As such, in 2019 when Thunder Bay Hydro merged with Kenora Hydro to become Synergy North Corporation, the methodologies for determining asset condition, health index and the prioritization of investment for determining a capital budget have been implemented and harmonized.

The asset condition assessment and health index model used in the 2016 submission from Thunder Bay Hydro has continued to be utilized and all the assets from Kenora have been incorporated into the flagged for action plans. In addition, the asset management department has further refined the inputs to the model by updating models with known conditions and obtaining additional data, specifically test data for both underground cables and poles.

The improvements in obtaining additional data have enhanced the ongoing assessment of the health of assets and informed investment decisions. For example, by obtaining pole strength data we have been able to understand the extent and variation of pole aging in our service territory due to differences in geographic locations. By obtaining cable testing results, we have come to understand that although much of the underground cable in Thunder Bay was installed in 1980's. This would mean that the underground cable was reaching end of useful life based on its age and the results of the cable testing show that much of the population is still in good condition. Due to this testing, Synergy North has been able to defer investment in assets and schedule replacement based on condition rather than age.

Have a DSP question or comment for SYNERGY NORTH?

Use this tool to engage with SYNERGY NORTH! This is a constructive way for us to answer any questions or comments that our customers may have for us regarding our future plans. Share your thoughts or ideas as well!

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  • Share With the upcoming 5 year plan and its focus on reliability, environmental impact, the concern of severity of storms, vegetation management, and the removal of 4kV portion of the distribution system. Is there any consideration to increase the amount of underground distribution assets? Costs asides it seems like a valuable long term solution that would satisfy many of the future requirements. on Facebook Share With the upcoming 5 year plan and its focus on reliability, environmental impact, the concern of severity of storms, vegetation management, and the removal of 4kV portion of the distribution system. Is there any consideration to increase the amount of underground distribution assets? Costs asides it seems like a valuable long term solution that would satisfy many of the future requirements. on Twitter Share With the upcoming 5 year plan and its focus on reliability, environmental impact, the concern of severity of storms, vegetation management, and the removal of 4kV portion of the distribution system. Is there any consideration to increase the amount of underground distribution assets? Costs asides it seems like a valuable long term solution that would satisfy many of the future requirements. on Linkedin Email With the upcoming 5 year plan and its focus on reliability, environmental impact, the concern of severity of storms, vegetation management, and the removal of 4kV portion of the distribution system. Is there any consideration to increase the amount of underground distribution assets? Costs asides it seems like a valuable long term solution that would satisfy many of the future requirements. link

    With the upcoming 5 year plan and its focus on reliability, environmental impact, the concern of severity of storms, vegetation management, and the removal of 4kV portion of the distribution system. Is there any consideration to increase the amount of underground distribution assets? Costs asides it seems like a valuable long term solution that would satisfy many of the future requirements.

    josh asked over 2 years ago

    Hi Josh,

    Thanks for reaching out! Our SYNERGY NORTH Operations Team has responded to your question:

    A great question and the short answer is; that there will be a natural increase in underground assets. The City of Thunder Bay and SYNERGY NORTH’s Conditions of Service require all new subdivisions to be serviced with underground infrastructure. Thus as the system grows, the underground assets will become a larger part of the system.

    There are challenges with both underground and overhead assets as they relate to climate change. In certain instances such as vegetation and storm activity, overhead assets may be at risk, but with flooding and storm restoration, overhead assets are the better option.

     As SYNERGY NORTH goes through and rebuilds the 4kV portions of the system, the design considers all factors in the replacement strategy. In some instances, an underground line may replace an overhead line, and in other instances installing storm guying and larger class poles in the same location is a more affordable and reliable option. The Engineering team endeavors to balance the risk, cost, and reliability when creating our long-term plans to meet the needs of customers and the system.

    If you have any further questions, please do not hesitate to reach out.

    Thanks,

    Amanda Magill
    Customer Accounts Supervisor

Page last updated: 18 Jul 2022, 08:55 AM