Facility condition methodology
The facility condition criteria to be utilized by ATC for system planning purposes will include:
- Any transmission line or structures that are beyond their design life, any transmission line that has exhibited below-average availability or any transmission line that has required above-average maintenance will be considered a candidate for replacement. In assessing potential line replacements, consideration will be given to other needs in the area of the candidate line to determine whether rebuilding the line to a higher voltage would fit into the “umbrella” plan for that planning zone. ATC engineering, operations, maintenance and environmental employees work together to coordinate such assessments.
- Any underground cable that is beyond its design life, has exhibited below-average availability or has required above-average maintenance will be considered a candidate for replacement. In assessing potential cable replacements, consideration will be given to other needs in the area of the candidate cable to determine whether replacing the cable with a cable with a higher ampacity or with a cable capable of a higher voltage would fit into the “umbrella” plan for that planning zone. ATC engineering, operations, maintenance and environmental employees work together to coordinate such assessments.