Engineering and Technical Services

Engineering and Technical Services

PowerTRX Reliability (formerly eReliability Tracker)

Providing superior reliable electric services is a large part of the mission of public power utilities. As such, measuring distribution reliability by recording, tracking and analyzing outage data is an important aspect of operations. The American Public Power Association’s (APPA) PowerTRX program assists American Municipal Power, Inc. (AMP) Member utilities in simplifying operations decisions by providing detailed outage summary reports and mobile support for field employees.

PowerTRX Reliability offers a range of features to help public power utilities effectively collect, categorize, and summarize outage information. Some of the core functions of PowerTRX Reliability include:

• Identifying problem areas and common outage causes
• Recording outage information
• Importing and updating large sets of outage data via CSV
• In-system reporting on IEEE statistics and monthly reliability performance

AMP has arranged with APPA to provide the web-based PowerTRX Reliability service to all AMP Members as part of their fees. Members can receive one additional license seat at no extra fee to them.  As a PowerTRX subscriber, AMP Members receive an annual national reliability benchmarking report at the end of the year based on the software data. Active participation in the program earns points toward the Reliable Public Power Provider (RP3) designation.  Users can securely sync their outage management system (OMS) into PowerTRX.

Questions can be emailed directly to APPA at [email protected]. If you need additional assistance, please contact Jennifer Flockerzie, AMP Manager of Technical Services Logistics, at [email protected].

AMP Technical Services Conference

The AMP Technical Services Conference provides an opportunity to increase technical understanding and capabilities, learn about new products, strengthen relationships with other members as well as AMP staff, and exchange ideas with other utilities facing similar challenges. Learn more about the conference here.

Circuit Rider

The Circuit Rider program offers AMP Member communities the services of an experienced, qualified field superintendent. AMP consultants offer guidance to municipal employees and expertise on electric system operation and maintenance.

This service can also provide smaller communities with assistance or training on a scheduled or special-project basis on such topics as capital improvements, equipment troubleshooting, safety, and system design or mapping.

Engineering

Through its technical services department, AMP is able to assist Member communities with their electric system design, construction and project management needs. Some of the services offered are:

• Engineering assistance: AMP’s professional engineers design small projects from distribution lines (overhead and underground) to substations.
• Project management: AMP can help communities select a consultant engineer, monitor the progress of a project and act as an independent adviser to protect the interest of the municipal electric system. AMP will also write specifications for the bidding process, oversee bid opening and award, and verify that contractors meet required specifications for materials and work performed.
• System reviews: AMP will coordinate a review of a Member electric distribution system, pointing out projects that will benefit the Member system and increase the quality, reliability and efficiency of service to customers. System modeling and fuse coordination can be done to aid in the review.
• Infrared testing: With advanced infrared diagnostic equipment, AMP engineers and technicians can quickly and thoroughly do on-site inspections of your electric service components, distribution facilities and equipment. This can identify faulty electrical connections, overloaded equipment and other conditions that can lead to costly service disruptions.
• Other testing: Using a wide array of equipment, AMP personnel can conduct power system studies for load flow, short circuits and relay coordination. Power monitoring studies can pinpoint voltage and current disturbances, track load trends and detail the harmonics of the system. Arc Flash analysis can be completed using Easy Power software to meet the needs of the current National Electrical Safety Code (NESC) standards.
• RP3 assistance: AMP encourages its Members to achieve recognition through APPA’s Reliable Public Power Provider (RP3) program. RP3 recognizes those utilities that demonstrate proficiency in reliability, safety, workforce development and system improvement. AMP supports the APPA RP3 program in several ways, including reviewing applications, assisting in tracking outages and calculating the IEEE indices.

Environmental Compliance

AMP provides assistance to Member communities in managing their environmental concerns. Permitting, monitoring and compliance audits form the core services for this program.

AMP will assist Member communities in meeting their permitting obligations for new projects. Services include air quality dispersion modeling, completion of construction and operating permits for air emission sources, fee emission reports and compliance certifications.

On-site compliance audits are required to meet state and federal Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) standards, and this is another service that can be provided by AMP. In a detailed look at the Member community’s operations, AMP will audit both records and the municipal electric system’s physical plant to ensure they meet EPA requirements.

AMP can also offer Member communities assistance on spill prevention. Services include detailed planning for prevention and containment of oil spills, spill response training of Member personnel and management of polychlorinated biphenyls.

AMP provides assistance on power siting studies, including the required air monitoring report, environmental project management, and analysis of proposed environmental laws and regulations.

Lineworker Apprentice Training

The AMP Apprenticeship Training Program is a top-notch curriculum designed to equip Member utility personnel with U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) certified training that blends formal classroom sessions and hands-on personalized instruction. As a DOL Registered Apprenticeship Certification program, AMP’s training provides Member lineworkers — regardless of which state they are from — with access to a nationally recognized apprenticeship pathway. This means that the program meets national criteria for quality, safety and consistency, and provides trainees with valuable knowledge and official DOL-approved credentials that are recognized across the industry. The program aligns with the Northwest Lineman’s College (NLC) Power Delivery Program and prioritizes safe operations, system reliability and premier customer service. To achieve DOL Certification, apprentices must complete four levels training — Basic 1, Basic II, Intermediate, and Advanced. Learn more about DOL Certification here and the AMP Apprentice Training Program here.

Power Plant Operator Training

The AMP Power Plant Operator Apprenticeship Training Program is a top-notch curriculum designed to equip Member power plant personnel with DOL-certified training that blends formal classroom sessions and hands-on personalized instruction. Developed in conjunction with the City of Marshall to meet the specialized needs of public power systems that own and operate generation facilities, AMP’s program provides Member power plant operators — regardless of which state they are from — with access to a nationally recognized apprenticeship pathway. This means that the program meets national criteria for quality, safety and consistency, and provides trainees with valuable knowledge and official DOL-approved credentials that are recognized across the industry. The program incorporates the NLC Substation Technician Certification program and Kansas Municipal Utilities Power Plant Operations Academy courses, and prioritizes safe operations, troubleshooting and compliance. Learn more about DOL Certification here.

Mutual Aid

Be it a tornado, snow or ice storm, flood or fire, participants in this program stand ready to assist participating communities. Member systems that request mutual aid need to make only one phone call to AMP’s 24-hour Energy Control Center, and help will be on the way.

Participation in the program is voluntary and is enacted by passage of an ordinance in participating Member communities.

OMEGA Joint Venture 4

The Ohio Municipal Electric Generation (OMEGA) Joint Venture 4 (JV4) was formed in 1995 to oversee construction and operation of the 69-kilovolt R. Bruce Kidston Transmission Line. This line serves as a secondary delivery point for participating Williams County municipal electric systems and also serves the municipal system of Holiday City. AMP Member participants are Bryan, Edgerton, Montpelier and Pioneer.

Technical Training Programs

AMP’s training program is designed with AMP Members and their employees in mind. Training is a key ingredient in the ability of Member utility personnel to achieve and maintain a high degree of reliability in customer service.

A variety of training classes and topics are offered annually. From apprenticeship classes offered in Columbus to technical classes in Member communities, AMP’s program focuses on providing utility personnel with the knowledge, skills and tools needed to maintain and improve Member distribution systems.

Need a class taught locally or regionally? Reach out to Michelle Palmer, Vice President of Technical Services and Compliance at 614.540.1111 or [email protected].

For the current training offerings and schedule, click here.

Have More Questions?

For more information on AMP’s technical services, contact the following personnel:

AMP Lineworker Training: Scott McKenzie, Senior Director of Member Training and Safety, 614.540.1111, [email protected].

Circuit Rider: Chad Culbert, Senior Manager of Member Training and Safety, 614.540.1111, [email protected].

Department of Labor Certification: Jennifer Flockerzie, Manager of Technical Services Logistics, 614.540.1111, [email protected].

Engineering Programs: Michelle Palmer, Vice President of Technical Services and Compliance, 614.540.1111, [email protected].

Environmental Services: John McGreevy, Assistant Vice President of Environmental, Health, Safety and Compliance, 614.540.1111, [email protected].

Mutual Aid: Scott McKenzie, Senior Director of Member Training and Safety, 614.540.1111, [email protected].

Technical Training: Michelle Palmer, Vice President of Technical Services and Compliance, 614.540.1111, [email protected].