|
E.L.K. Energy Applies Steel Solutions and Sustainable Practices in Ontario
Founded just 10 years ago, E. L. K. Energy set out from the beginning to use new technology to provide its customers with reliable and competitively priced electric power. E.L.K. is an electric utility headquartered in Essex, Ontario that serves commercial and residential customers in southwestern Ontario. Even the structure of the utility is forward thinking. It is a private corporation, but all shares of the business are owned by the communities that E.L.K. serves, making it a unique hybrid that benefits from both municipal and private ownership.
From an operational perspective, E.L.K. looks for ways to provide the best possible service for its customers. An example of that philosophy at work is the company’s selection of equipment for use in power distribution, such as utility distribution poles. These poles, which safely hold distribution cables aloft, have typically been made with wood. The availability of straight tree trunks (in Canada?) has made wood a practical and cost-effective choice for utilities.
But E.L.K. wanted to look at alternative materials and conducted a well-documented materials comparison, with Norm MacAulay, Operations Manager for E.L.K. Energy, heading the comparison team. MacAulay is responsible for the utility's capital projects and electric-utility maintenance. The materials comparison project involved the installation of 39 45-foot class 3 poles for grade 2 construction.
"Like most utilities, we had used wood poles for a long time,” he said. “We felt it was necessary to understand the benefits and the limitations of both wood and steel poles.”
Pole Life: MacAulay said E.L.K. Energy begins looking at the replacement of installed wood poles after about 25 years in the ground. "With steel," he reports, "we estimate the life cycle to be 80 years. But to be conservative, we use a 50-year life cycle for making comparisons to wood.”
Pole Handling and Preparation: Steel poles offer advantages from the very beginning of the installation process. Because they are straight-sided with uniform shapes, steel poles are easier to handle for transportation to the site, preparation, and installation.
MacAulay explains, “Steel poles are much lighter than concrete poles. The framing and installation of cross arms can be done on the ground, making the process much quicker and easier. It also means we don’t have to bring in another bucket truck.”
Another benefit is that steel poles only require one size of bolt, rather than an assortment of sizes and configurations, allowing the linemen to work more quickly.
Pole Installation: “Steel poles require less time than wood for preparing the hole and for installation, and much less time and material are needed to complete the backfill when the pole is in place.,” says MacAulay.
Appearance: For MacAulay, appearance is also a consideration. “Steel poles have a cleaner, more finished look than wood poles, which helps build confidence in the system,” he says.
Safety: “Safety is the number one issue in our operations,” MacAulay says. “And that means safety for everyone--our employees, our customers, and everyone that we deal with.”
He explains that work methods and safety practices are the same for any material: “There is absolutely no difference in stringing lines on wood, steel or concrete. It’s all the same. You use the same precautions that you would use in any live-line situation.”
Cost: When making a cost comparison, MacAulay says that all costs must be considered when comparing steel and wood, and that steel poles have a huge benefit with a small cost differential. “It’s important to consider all factors in order to get an accurate picture,” he says. “For example, you have to take into account realistic life cycles and determine what effect these life cycles have on the actual cost of the poles.”
Environmental Considerations: E.L.K. Energy places a high value on environmental issues. “We look at all environmental issues related to all aspects of our operations,” says MacAulay. “Steel poles use recycled material, whereas a wood pole means you have to cut down a tree. Beyond that, treated wood has to be disposed of, while recycled steel can be put to new uses. These are some of the many environmental factors that have to be acknowledged and understood.”
As a young company serving a growing market, E.L.K. Energy is demonstrating how new thinking can support service reliability. At the same time, E.L.K. is finding ways to apply new, environmentally responsible practices to its day-to-day operations.
“This is all part of the way business is being done today,” says MacAulay. “We’re committed to looking ahead in all aspects of our operations and the services we provide.”
|
