In addition to a robust mitigation strategy, OKPUD has developed performance metrics to monitor its efforts over time. The goal of these metrics is to provide a data-driven evaluation of plan performance to help determine the effectiveness of various programs and to identify areas for improvement.
This chapter also identifies OKPUD’s management responsibilities for overseeing this WMP, the methods for identifying plan deficiencies, and the inspection and VM program monitoring processes.
10.1 Metrics & Assumptions for Measuring Plan Performance
OKPUD has developed performance metrics intended to gauge the effectiveness of OKPUD’s various programs and strategies for mitigating wildfire ignitions. The annual tracking of these metrics will help identify circuits most susceptible to unexpected outages, time-of-year risks, and the adequacy of the VM and asset inspection schedules.
The following metrics will be used:
- External Metric
- Red Flag Warnings
- Distribution Performance Metrics
- SAIDI score
- SAIFI score
- CAIDI score
- Transmission Performance Metric
- Circuit Miles Inspected
- Vegetation Inspections
- Circuit Miles Inspected
- Outage Metrics
- Number of Distribution Outages
- Number of Transmission Outages (TADS)
Because this plan is in the initial stage of implementation, relatively limited data is on hand. However, as results of the mitigation programs become evident and additional data is collected, OKPUD will identify areas of its operations that will require a different approach, as well as develop additional methods to achieve the goal of eliminating OKPUD asset-sourced ignitions.
As the metrics are analyzed in the following years, refinements will be made to the Plan and the selected metrics, as with other aspects of the plan, will likely evolve in future iterations.
10.2 Identifying & Addressing Areas of Continued Improvement
Because this plan is in the initial stage of implementation, relatively limited data is on hand. However, as results of the mitigation programs become evident and additional data is collected, OKPUD will identify areas of its operations that will require a different approach, as well as develop additional methods to achieve the goal of eliminating OKPUD asset sourced ignitions.
As the metrics are analyzed in the following years, refinements will be made. The selected metrics, as with other aspects of the plan, will likely evolve in future iterations. As results of the programs become evident and additional data is collected, OKPUD will identify areas of its operations that will require a different approach, as well as methods that are working towards the goal of eliminating OKPUD asset-related ignitions.
The OM/CE is responsible for ensuring the WMP meets all Washington State guidelines to mitigate the risk of its assets becoming the source or contributing factor of a wildfire. Staff responsible for assigned mitigation areas must vet current procedures and recommend changes or enhancements to build upon the Plan’s strategies. Due to unforeseen circumstances, regulatory changes, emerging technologies, environmental changes, or other rationales, deficiencies within the WMP are reported to the OM.
The OM/CE or their designee are responsible for spearheading discussions on addressing deficiencies and collaborating on solutions when updating the WMP. When deficiencies are identified, the OM/CE and designated staff evaluate each reported deficiency to determine their validity. The OM/CE records the agreed-upon corrective actions and plan steps for implementation and inclusion in future iterations of the WMP.
10.3 Monitoring the Performance of Inspections
The utility manages the distribution line and substation assets inspection and maintenance routines. These inspections help to ensure the safe operation of OKPUD line and substation facilities.
Key imperatives are to:
- Reduce the risk of power-related wildfire
- Meet federal and state regulatory requirements
- Achieve reliability performance within mandated limits and to optimize capital and O&M investments
Designated staff regularly monitors inspection and corrective maintenance. OKPUD makes all efforts to follow best industry practices in developing its maintenance programs.
OKPUD’s ROWS is responsible for performing the pole inspections while the OM/CE is responsible for the substation inspections. As a result of the inspections, the priority for corrective maintenance is to remove safety hazards immediately and repair deficiencies according to the type of defect and severity of the risk level associated with the asset location.