MID-ATLANTIC UTILITIES UNDERGROUNDING PROGRAM CASE STUDY 59 7. EVALUATING OVERALL PROGRAM SUCCESS After establishing a potential resiliency program objective, how a resiliency program can support the pursuit of the objective, how to create a resiliency program, developing the resiliency program plan, obtaining approval, implementation, and reporting program progress, the next step in the Utility Infrastructure Resiliency Playbook (Playbook) is evaluating overall program success against the original program objective. The case study represents a combination of three Mid-Atlantic utility experiences and is used to introduce this concept and describe how they undertook overall program success reporting. CHALLENGE How to successfully demonstrate that a resiliency program is implemented at the agreed-upon pace, is meeting originally set expectations, the benefits are documented, and prudency is confirmed. Because the resiliency program is targeted to select line segments and geographies intentionally, the impact on overall system metrics is muted or invisible. The traditional SAIDI and SAIFI measures are influenced by so many factors that isolating the impact of a highly targeted resiliency program is difficult. SOLUTION The selection of non-traditional metrics to measure the impact of a targeted resiliency program using undergrounding strategies is necessary and Total Length of Restoration (TLR) was chosen. Calculated routine measures of progress in order to demonstrate the agreed-upon pace and cost is being met. Measures include annual total spend, line mileage addressed, number of lines addressed, cost per mile, cost per customer, the 10-year historic average number of outages per mile, and ratepayer impact per 1000 kWh. RESULT Utility A is currently approximately 25% complete with its multi-phase resiliency program, primarily relying on an undergrounding strategy. The results achieved include the following: o A 99% improvement in both SAIDI (duration) and SAIFI (frequency) indices for the converted areas. o A forecast reduction in TLR by up to 40-50% which impacts and generates benefits for all customers in the event of an outage. o Phase II completed 249 miles undergrounded at an average cost of $422,496 per mile – significantly below legislatively required maximum of $750,000. o Ratepayer bill impact of $1.98 based on usage of 1,000 kWh – significantly below legislatively required maximum. o Fewer events per mile and shorter duration of an event were achieved.
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