Compliance Verification Activity Report: CV1819-373 - Algonquin Tinker Gen Co.

Overview

Compliance verification activity type: Field Inspection

Team:

• Inspector 2507

Regulated company: Algonquin Tinker Gen Co.

Operating company: Liberty Utilities

Province(s) / Territory(s):

• New Brunswick

Discipline(s):

• Environmental Protection
• Integrity Management

Rationale and scope:

Joint integrity and environment inspection of two 69 kV transmission lines. The purpose of the inspection was to verify compliance to CSA C22.1 No.15 or earlier version of the Canadian Electrical Code, CSA C22.3 No. 15 or earlier versions for Overhead transmission lines, NERC reliability standards where applicable, and company plans, manuals, and procedures and the NEB Conditions issued by the Board in the instrument. Both lines run from the Tinker Generating Station to the USA border. Line 6901 is approximately 2.5 km long and was upgraded (restringing and pole replacement) in 2016. Line 6904 is approximately 2 km long and was built in the 1960s; it underwent a partial upgrade in 2016. The integrity scope of the inspection included maintenance of the right-of-way (RoW), the structural integrity of the line, protective relays and battery banks, and company documentation. The environmental scope of the inspection included, but was not limited to, avian protection, watercourse crossings, vegetation management, invasive species management, and environmental training and monitoring practices.

Compliance tool(s) used:

• None

Facility details

Facilities:

Facility Types

• International Power Line (IPL)
• Conductors and shields
• Dampers and spacers
• Grounding
• Guy wires
• Insulators
• Other
• Poles and towers
• Right of way

Life-cycle Phases

• Operations

Regulatory requirements

Regulatory requirements that apply to this activity:

• Canada Labour Code (CLC)
• Canada Occupational Health and Safety Regulations (COHSR) 2016-06-14
• National Energy Board Act (NEBA)
• National Energy Board Electricity Regulations (ER)
• National Energy Board General Order for Electricity Reliability Standards General Order MO-036-2012
• National Energy Board Act (NEBA) 2016-06-19
• Plans And Procedures
• Project-specific Environmental Protection Plan (EPP)
• Environmental Protection Plan for the Algonquin Tinker GenCo Tinker Transmission Line "Re-Stringing" and Substation Update Project

Observations (no outstanding follow-up required)

Observation 1 - General Observations - Integrity

Date & time of visit: 2018-09-13 09:25

Discipline: Integrity Management

Categories:

• Powerlines
• Vegetation Control
• Poles and Towers
• Insulators
• Conductors and Shields
• Dampers & Spacers
• Guy Wires
• Grounding

Facility:

Observations:

General Observations:
Line 6904:

• The line 6904 uses the old structures except the first one across the Aroostook River, whereas the line 6901 uses the new wood poles.
• Except the first pole of the 6904 (Pole No. 1), there are no shield wires or grounding of the rest of the poles up to the US Border which is not consistent with Canadian Electrical Code CSA 22.1 or CSA standards for overhead transmission line CSA 22.3.
• There are total 11 poles for 6904 and 25 poles for 6901.
• For 6904 line, most of the wood poles are in good shape. A few woodpecker holes were observed; in one instance, a splitting has occurred stemming out from the woodpecker holes.
• In some poles in 6904 line, it was observed that the preservative was used for the poles and the liquid preservative bled along the pole in-between the sap and created hard bubbles when dried out. Not sure what chemical was used, and whether it is creosote.
• In some of the poles porcelain insulator discs within the string were replaced with glass insulators.

Line 6901:

• All 25 wood poles are new and that is part of the construction to upgrade the 6901 line approved by the Board.
• Other than the tangent poles or poles crossing the ravines as well as the dead ends, all wooden poles are monopoles.
• The PVC insulators were used.
• All poles are treated with preservative and they all are in good shape.
• The single OPGW shield wire is joined from pole to pole of the respective ground wires. They are also joined to the guy wires to provide ground continuity. Ground wires travel from top of the pole and anchored to the ground. That provides safety to the livestock, animals or human being from electric shock during a fault or lightning.
• Only intermittent poles were inspected starting from the US border and up to the Tinker Transmission substation.

Compliance tool used: No compliance tool used

Observation 2 - Specific Observations on Line 6904

Date & time of visit: 2018-09-13 11:00

Discipline: Integrity Management

Categories:

• Powerlines
• Vegetation Control
• Poles and Towers
• Insulators
• Conductors and Shields
• Dampers & Spacers
• Guy Wires
• Grounding

Facility:

Observations:

6904:

• Pole No.1: Standing on the south side of the Aristook River it is a new 3- pole wooden structure. One span of new conductors of 795 cmil, new OPGW shield wires between the substation across the river and the Pole 1. New ground wires properly terminated to the ground. No concern.
• Pole No.2: Shield wire exists for only one span between the poles 1 and 2. Pole condition is satisfactory.
• Pole No 5: Wood pole condition is fine, no rotting or splitting or woodpecker holes were observed. Two bottom porcelain discs in the C-phase string have been replaced with Glass insulator discs.
• Pole No 6: The left pole (facing away from the Tinker dam) has been replaced, but not the right pole. The right pole has woodpecker holes, ATG to check the hollowness inside and determine whether it needs to be replaced soon. No guy wires were observed.
• Pole No.7: On the left pole preservative bleeding over SAP was observed that formed hard bubbles. Splitting was noticed along the length. ATG to check if the splitting is increasing over time.
• Pole No.8: The condition of the pole is satisfactory. The sag between the Poles 7 & 8 was measured to be 14.1 ft [4.30](The CSA22.3 No.6 standard is 4m) which is within the required clearance.
• Pole No.9: Phase A & C have glass insulators and Phase-B has porcelain insulators. On the right pole, there is woodpecker holes. Splitting was observed from the bottom woodpecker hole. The Sapwood is bleeding the preservative and hardened. ATG to test the pole and check its integrity.
• Pole No.10: The condition of the pole is satisfactory. An old insulator was observed to be screwed on the body of the pole. ATG to remove the porcelain object from the pole. 
• Pole No11: The last pole before the border. The condition of the crossbar seemed a bit worn out.

Compliance tool used: No compliance tool used

Observation 3 - Specific Observations on Line 6901

Date & time of visit: 2018-09-13 14:50

Discipline: Integrity Management

Categories:

• Powerlines
• Vegetation Control
• Poles and Towers
• Insulators
• Conductors and Shields
• Dampers & Spacers
• Guy Wires
• Grounding

Facility:

Observations:

6901:

• Pole 161: This is the last pole before the border. It’s a 3-pole structure, guys are connected on both sides of the poles and guy markers are bolted to the guys properly. Guys are also bonded with the single OPGW shield wires from the monopoles. The pole is properly grounded.
• Pole 162: Wooden monopole. Visual check: Shield wires, PVC insulators, jumpers, conductors, no deformation and no missing strands; poles are grounded, checked the guy tension, they are all in satisfactory condition.
• Pole 163:  All elements observed are in satisfactory condition as in Pole 162
• Pole 164:  All elements observed are in satisfactory condition as in Pole 162. Some Sapwood have scrapped out near the pole number plate. No point of concern
• Pole 165: The number plate fell down. Otherwise all elements observed are in satisfactory condition as in Pole 162. ATG will replace the number plate and confirm to the NEB with a visual image
• Pole 168: It is a 3-pole structure where the conductor is crossing over the Tinker Road and terminating on the other end at the Pole No. 167. This is the longest span of 332.19m of the 6901 line. The vertical clearance could not be measured but eye estimation suggested it is well over 10m. The CSA22.3 requires that a 69 kV line must have a minimum clearance of 5.5m.
• Pole 173:  All elements observed are in satisfactory condition as in Pole 162
• Pole 172:  All elements observed are in satisfactory condition as in Pole 162
• Other poles: Other poles were checked before the substation entry. They all are new and there are no concerns.

Compliance tool used: No compliance tool used

Observation 4 - Substation and Control Room

Date & time of visit: 2018-09-13 16:30

Discipline: Integrity Management

Categories:

• Powerlines
• Grounding

Facility:

Observations:

Substation and Control Room:

Substation: The old 50 MVA 138/69 kV transformer has been replaced with the new 100 MVA 138/69 kV transformer. The associated circuit breakers are also replaced with the change. The substation grounding were checked and was found to be satisfactory.

Control Room: The ATG maintains access control to both the substation and the control rooms and consistent with the requirements of the NERC CIP standards. The batteries are Gel type batteries and for 1 year old. The room also houses the A and B protective relays for both the transformer and for the 6901 and 6904 lines. The room is temperature controlled and accordingly meets the CSA 22.1 and IEEE requirements of ventilation control of the battery room.

Deliverability of ATG:
ATG to provide the battery test results and the routine battery test programs to the NEB by 7 December 2018.

Compliance tool used: No compliance tool used

Observation 5 - General Observations - Environment

Date & time of visit: 2018-09-13 11:00

Discipline: Environmental Protection

Categories:

• Wildlife
• Disturbance
• Vegetation
• Vegetation Control
• Invasive Plant Management
• Housekeeping
• Waste Management
• Training and Documentation
• Documentation Available/Up to Date
• Permits/Approvals
• Training
• Inspections

Facility:

Observations:

General

• All structures along line 6904 are located on private land and crosses through forested areas as well as cultivated potato fields. Company representatives stated that no landowner issues have been identified.
• All structures along line 6901 are located on private land, with six structures located on Algonquin Tinker Genco (ATG)-owned property. The majority of the right-of-way (RoW) was accessible by vehicle, as an access road runs adjacent to the line.
• Company representatives stated that no temporary access structures were required at the Aroostook River crossing during the upgrade project, as there is existing access in place.
• Observed a wood preservative bleeding from the timber on several of the older structures (circa 1960s). A company representative stated that the poles are inspected approximately once every five years, and if a preventative coating is required then maintenance work will be performed.
• Discussed environmental oversight and training provided to workers during construction activities.

• Weedy species were abundant where both RoWs crossed through non-cultivated land, and included scentless chamomile, common mullein, orange hawkweed, knapweed, thistle, birdsfoot trefoil, burdock, bird vetch, and yellow toadflax. Company representatives stated that invasive species management plans are developed on a site-by-site basis.
• Vegetation consisted primarily of grasses, bracken, and small brush. Small brush grew at the base of some of the poles, while others had small gravel piles. Some areas of erosion were noted along the RoWs in forested areas.
• Company representatives indicated that the preferred method of vegetation management is cutting, and ground patrol vegetation inspections are conducted once per year. Woody debris from cutting activities is either chipped or taken to the substation for off-site disposal.
• Some felled trees and wood chip piles were observed on the line 6901 RoW. Company representatives stated that cutting activities had occurred about a month prior to the inspection. It was also stated that the landowner would be removing the woody debris.

• There were no avian protection measures observed on the lines. Company representative stated that avian protection programs are developed on an as needed basis, and there is a tracking system for bird and bat interactions.
• An adult northern leopard frog was observed on the line 6901 RoW during the inspection.
• No bird nests were observed on either line. A company representative stated that if a bird nest was observed by an operations employee, it would be reported to the Senior Environmental Manager.
• Two small holes (potentially avian cavities) were observed on structure 6 of line 6904.
• Company representatives stated that no species-at-risk habitat has been identified in this area.

• A sample of the tracking system implemented for wildlife interactions with transmission lines.
• A sample of the tracking system implemented for environmental incidents on transmission lines.
• A copy of the vegetation management procedure for transmission lines.
• Confirmation if pre-construction archeological and/or heritage resource surveys are conducted prior to starting construction activities in New Brunswick, and if a permit is required. If so, please provide a copy of the permit issued for the ‘Algonquin Tinker GenCo Tinker Transmission Line “Re-Stringing” and Substation Update Project.’
• If there is a procedure in place for pole removal and disposal, please provide a copy. If there is no such procedure, please indicate where poles are disposed of for the Tinker transmission lines.
• Confirmation if breeding bird surveys were conducted prior to the ‘Algonquin Tinker GenCo Tinker Transmission Line “Re-Stringing” and Substation Update Project.’ If so, please provide the results of the surveys.

Compliance tool used: No compliance tool used

Observation 6 - Revised deliverable based on code requirements and follow-up of an outstanding deliverable

Date & time of visit: 2019-04-26 09:00

Discipline: Integrity Management

Categories:

• Powerlines
• Poles and Towers
• Insulators
• Conductors and Shields
• Guy Wires
• Grounding

Facility:

Observations:

Under Item No.1 in the deliverables for Line 6904, ATG was required to submit a plan by 31 May 2019 outlining when ATG will be able to install the shield wires and implement grounding for the remaining poles of Line 6904. ATG confirmed that it was reviewing the request along with the codes and standards requirements. The NEB staff would like to clarify the following:

Section 9.1.2.2.1 of CSA 22.3 No.1-15 requires that “Metal poles or the reinforcing metal of concrete poles, where such poles carry supply-line conductors” carrying supplying conductors of 22 kV or less shall be effectively grounded. No such grounding requirements are specified for towers or poles above 22 kV. However, if the towers are not effectively grounded, that may cause the following safety concerns when the tower footing resistance is too high:

1. The Ground Potential Rise (GPR) during a lightning strike.
2. During a lightning strike, the tower voltage goes up considerably high due to the lack of effective grounding. The impact is even more during a positive lightning strike due to the higher surge current. The high tower voltage can cause a flashover to the live supply conductor across the insulator and trigger a line to ground fault. The phenomena is known as ‘back flash over’. For wood poles, burning of the wood poles is a common occurrence.
3. The increase in GPR is also a safety concern for any live stock or human being in close proximity of the towers or wood poles due to the step and touch potential for steady state or fault conditions.

1. Recognizing it as a good engineering practice to ensure safety and integrity, ATG is to confirm whether it will install the shield wires and implement grounding for all the poles along Line 6904. If ATG decides not to install the shield wires and grounding for the remaining poles, please explain the mitigation plan as to how ATG will minimize the damage under lightning strikes and ensure safety against Ground Potential Rise during the lightning. Please submit your response by 31 May 2019.
2. Under item No. 4 for previous Line 6904 deliverables, the NEB requested ATG to submit a plan by 31 May 2019 when it can check the integrity and serviceability of the crossbar of pole No. 11. In its response, ATG confirmed that the site was not accessible yet by the service crews due to deep snow. ATG shall confirm if it is still feasible to check the crossbar by 31 May 2019. If it is not feasible to access the pole by service truck on or before 31 May 2019, please submit a plan with an estimated time for when ATG can check the crossbar.
   
    
    

Compliance tool used: No compliance tool used

Observations (company follow-up required)

Identified non-compliances to company plans or procedures are non-compliances either to: