Ohio Attracts Utility Engineers from 7 States and Canada for Conference to Reduce Power Outages

A National utility conference in Ohio addressed power outage prevention and improving reliability of electrical distribution systems across North America. Sponsored by Exacter, Inc. and hosted by AMP-Ohio, the event shared new technologies for predicting equipment failure before power outages occur, innovative preventive maintenance strategies, and best application of budgets to improve system reliability.

Columbus, OH (PRWEB) April 10, 2008 -- A National utility conference in Ohio addressed power outage prevention and improving reliability of electrical distribution systems across North America. Sponsored by Exacter, Inc. and hosted by AMP-Ohio, the event shared new technologies for predicting equipment failure before power outages occur, innovative preventive maintenance strategies, and best application of budgets to improve system reliability.

"Utility engineers from seven states and Canada came to Columbus to learn and share approaches for reducing power outages. Much of the discussion at the event centered on advances being made right here in Ohio," stated John Lauletta, President of Exacter, Inc. an Ohio-based technology company and sponsor of the Reliability Conference held in Columbus.

Utility engineers from seven states and Canada came to Columbus to learn and share approaches for reducing power outages. Much of the discussion at the event centered on advances being made right here in Ohio

Because of new technology developments and things that are happening in the field, there is a renewed interest by utilities to take measures that will allow them to predict and pre-empt outages before they occur

This conference could not have happened just two or three years ago because technology for predicting outages was not available.

We are working with Exacter, Inc. to assist our 123 community member electric companies to establish reliable power as a part of an economic development program in our region

Our goal is to help our members become the standard for reliable power and have a distinct advantage for attracting new manufacturing development to their communities.

Utilities have reduced tree-induced outages by proactive vegetation management. Utilities are beginning to apply the same principles to the location and removal of failing equipment using new, predictive technologies and proactive approaches

Utilities are realizing that predictive failure identification programs around the country are working and more of them want to get on board!

Groups were presented with identical problems, but each came up with different ways to arrive at a solution

When people from different perspectives have the opportunity to interact and hear different approaches to problems, everyone benefits.

"Because of new technology developments and things that are happening in the field, there is a renewed interest by utilities to take measures that will allow them to predict and pre-empt outages before they occur," continued Lauletta, "This conference could not have happened just two or three years ago because technology for predicting outages was not available."

The conference was held at American Municipal Power- Ohio (AMP-Ohio) headquarters, a municipal power provider who is on the cutting edge of proactive reliability programs in the country. AMP-Ohio is leading an initiative to establish a new level of reliable power among its members in several states. "We are working with Exacter, Inc. to assist our 123 community member electric companies to establish reliable power as a part of an economic development program in our region," stated Larry Marquis, Vice President of Technical Services for AMP- Ohio. "Our goal is to help our members become the standard for reliable power and have a distinct advantage for attracting new manufacturing development to their communities."

Reliability centered initiatives like this are beginning to emerge in other states too, and are an indication of the utility industry's increased emphasis to the issue of reliable power delivery.

According to US Department of Energy and industry research, 30% of all outages are caused by failing equipment. Lauletta believes that with available technology and preventive/predictive methods that are being used in the field today, the number of equipment-failure power outages can be reduced from an estimated 1.8 million per year across the country to less than half that number. The impact of that reduction would be in the billions of dollars.

"Utilities have reduced tree-induced outages by proactive vegetation management. Utilities are beginning to apply the same principles to the location and removal of failing equipment using new, predictive technologies and proactive approaches," stated Lauletta. "Utilities are realizing that predictive failure identification programs around the country are working and more of them want to get on board!"

EXACTER® Outage-Avoidance System technology, infrared technology, new approaches, field results, and the science of predictive maintenance and outage avoidance were the key topics of this symposium.

Andy Boatright Electric Utility Manager of the City of Westerville, OH shared how his community used the EXACTER Outage-Avoidance System to identify failing equipment before outages occurred The results of a 15 State, 20,000 mile reliability survey performed by 19 Utilities using EXACTER technology was also shared with attendees.

One of the highlights of the event were actual problem solving exercises where groups of 7-10 utilities discussed how they would address specific reliability and outage issues while taking budgets, ROI, impact on SAIFI, manpower, and other real-world constraints into consideration. "Groups were presented with identical problems, but each came up with different ways to arrive at a solution," stated Geoff Bibo, Vice President for Exacter. "When people from different perspectives have the opportunity to interact and hear different approaches to problems, everyone benefits."

The next reliability conference will be held in the fall of 2008. For more information or to request a copy of the 2006, 20,000 Mile Reliability Survey contact:

John L. Lauletta, President
Exacter, Inc.
Phone: 614-880-9320
Direct: 216-496-1219
FAX: 614-880-9382
www.exacterinc.com    
7700 Rivers Edge Dr.
Columbus, OH 43235

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