MID-ATLANTIC UTILITIES UNDERGROUNDING PROGRAM CASE STUDY 55 3. DEVELOPING THE PROGRAM PLAN After establishing a potential resiliency program objective, how a resiliency program can support the pursuit of the objective, and how to create a resiliency program, the next step in the Utility Infrastructure Resiliency Playbook (Playbook) is to develop the resiliency program plan. The case study represents a combination of three MidAtlantic utility experiences and is used to introduce this concept and describe how they finalized the resiliency plan and began to work on how to position the program successfully with regulars, the public, customers, and other stakeholders. CHALLENGE How to develop a preliminary resiliency program plan that includes the identification and selection of measures of success. Traditional measures of system-wide reliability (SAIDI, SAIFI) were identified as problematic to demonstrate impact given that the preliminary resiliency program plan was targeted in such a small part of the overall system. In order to successfully position the plan, a clear and logical method for measuring impact was required. SOLUTION Utility A selected an undergrounding resiliency strategy, divided the effort into phases in order to support a slow and controlled implementation during which prudency and validation of the program are confirmed. In most instances, underground line placement was required in private rights-of-way and easements were required. The phasing of the effort is also designed to support the securing of the easements. Program Management Office (PMO) concept developed with a medium scope, performed internally and linked to Public Utilities Commission (PUC) reporting to support a demonstration of prudence and compliance with program requirements. RESULT Program concept developed and phased on an annual basis of approximately 300 miles per year or 25 miles per month (total program 4,000 miles) targeted. Specialty and refined measures of reliability selected. SAIDI/SAIFI restricted to work area geography and Total Length of Restoration (TLR). The former specifically developed to tie into and more accurately reflect the impact on the overall objective to dramatically reduce outage duration. Based on the modeling, TLR will be reduced by up to 40-50% and this accomplishment is achieved despite spending less than 3% of the cost of more extensive undergrounding described in VA SCC report on undergrounding post Hurricane Isabel (#252).
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