Member Login
User ID
Password
Forgot User ID/Password?

You are currently logged in.
My Home Page
Update My Profile
Register for an Event
Log Out

Utility engineering and operations personnel. Any utility manager or staff involved in researching new products and services available to the utility industry.

Make plans now to attend the largest conference for public power utilities west of the Mississippi. With more than three days of events scheduled, the NWPPA E&O Conference provides a mix of education and networking, along with nearly 20,000 square feet of exhibits. During breakout sessions, which focus on specific disciplines within the utility, attendees will learn about the latest methods and solutions being used around the industry. The exhibits provide an opportunity to see the products that are available to help get the job done.

 

Concurrent Session Schedule 

 

10 a.m.-6 p.m. Exhibitors set up

1-6 p.m. Early registration

 

8 a.m.-noon Exhibitors set up

8 a.m.-6 p.m. Registration

8-9 a.m. Exhibitor's and associate member's meeting and breakfast

9-11:20 a.m. Product showcases Open to all attendees

11:30 a.m.-12:45 p.m. Committee luncheon

1:30-3:30 p.m. General session

Gary Nieborsky, Chairman

Engineering and Operations Manager, Kootenai Electric Cooperative - Hayden, Idaho

Invocation

Mike Andriolo, Power Engineer, Inland Power & Light Company Spokane, Wash.

 

Welcome to Tacoma

Ruthie Reinert, Executive Director, Tacoma Regional Convention & Visitors Bureau  Tacoma, Wash.

Welcome from NWPPA

Will Lutgen, Exective Director, NWPPA  Vancouver, Wash.

 

John Cassis, President, The Cassis Group DeBary, Fla.

Modern-day demands often cloud the most important issues in our lives. As we inevitably lose perspective, we tend to sabotage our success and compromise our passion. Cassis shares several key points for developing mental toughness with a positive attitude, helping to re-energize lives, careers, and relationships. Regain perspective by tapping into the humor that will help bridge the gap between the perfections we strive for and the imperfections we are stuck with!

 

 

4:30-6:30 p.m. Reception

 

 

 

 

David S. Behar, Senior Manager, Security & Emergency Management, Snohomish PUD Everett, Wash.

A presentation designed for operations personnel (not emergency planners) to provide an overview of the importance of emergency planning, essential concepts, and how to get a program started at their own organizations.

 

#2 Renewable Energy - (Panel Presentation)

Dave Warren, Government Relations Director, WA PUD Association, Olympia, WA; Geoff Carr, Assistant Director, Northwest Requirements Utilities, Portland, OR; Elliot Mainzer, Manager-Transmission Services Policy & Strategy, Bonneville Power Administration, Vancouver, WA

The panel will discuss the outlook for renewable resource development in the Northwest and the implications of renewable portfolio standards for individual consumer owned utilities and Bonneville Power Administration.  Emphasis will be placed on the resources that are being developed, system integration issues and the implications of the Washington and proposed Oregon renewable portfolio standards.

 

Barney Newman, Fleet Account Manager, Brattain International Trucks, Inc. - Portland, Ore.

With the new low-sulphur diesel and catalytic converters, what can you expect to see for serviceability and performance in the new 2007 and beyond diesel-powered vehicles? How will exhaust location affect body and auxiliary equipment placement? These issues and more will be discussed in an effort to let you know what to expect when you order your new trucks.

 

Todd Ellis, Director Business Development, Imperial Renewables, Seattle, WA

9:45-10:05 a.m. Morning break

Hosted by NW Line Constructors Chapter, NECA

 

 

Utility Preparations for Flu Pandemic

Gary Garnant, Public Information Officer, Grant County PUD & Grant County Emergency Management Dept. - Ephrata, Wash.

 

Utilities today face the threat of an influenza pandemic. Health officials say that it is a very high probability in the near future, it will spread within three to eight weeks, and there will be up to three waves of illness lasting eight weeks each with a 35 percent absentee rate. This session addresses utility response planning: stockpiling protective equipment; sustaining critical operations; identifying critical personnel, essential materials, and equipment; office and worksite considerations; and coordination with health/emergency agencies.

 

BROADBAND INFORMATION TRANSPORT

Document, Document, Document

Tim Wilmot, Sales/Applications Engineer, Corridor Technologies - Duvall, Wash.

 

This topic will discuss the importance of documentation and the impact it has on restoration and service. It will also demonstrate the benefit to the utility when the outside and inside plant is well documented.

SUBSTATION & DISTRIBUTION

SF6 + Lightening

Tony Schacher, Systems Engineer, Central Lincoln PUD  - Newport, Ore.

Sulfur hexafluoride (SF6) is an excellent gaseous dielectric for high-voltage power applications. In its normal state, it is an odorless, tasteless, non-toxic, non-corrosive, nonflammable, and chemically inert insulating and arc-extinguishing media. After exposure to high-energy faults, lightening contact, or extreme heat, the gas can break down and special care is required for handling and working around decomposition byproducts.

 

11 a.m.-2 p.m.  Exhibits open

Group lunch in exhibit area

 

2-2:50 p.m.  Concurrent sessions

 

SUBSTATION & DISTRIBUTION

Power Transformer Health and Risk Assessment

David J. Woodcock, Vice President Business Development, Weidmann Systems International, Inc. - St. Johnsbury, Vt.

 

Electric utilities are seeking a strategic management approach toward understanding the health and associated risk of operation of aging substation apparatus, such as power transformers. This session offers innovative ideas that balance maintenance cost and performance requirements now being mandated by customers and regulating agencies alike. Woodcock will discuss best-in-class testing techniques and diagnostic tools for proper ongoing assessment of power transformers aimed at supporting management

decisions about improved reliability, effective replacement options, and risk mitigation.

 

UNDERGROUND SYSTEMS

Splicing Made Easy

Tim McLaughlin, Sr. Product Specialist, Tyco Electronics - Fuquay-Varina, N.C.

 

Tyco Electronics' new Cold Shrink Joint is designed to change the way you think about splicing. From its all-in-one design, to its new and improved delivery system, this joint allows Tyco Electronics to not just sneak in the cold shrink market, but jump in!  The joint is qualified to IEEE 404 and the 15-kilovolt joint body has a range from 2/0 to 750 kcmil. From its ease of installation to its remarkable test numbers, this joint will have a prominent place in the electric industry for medium voltage splicing.

GENERATION & TRANSMISSION

Otto J. Lynch, P.E., Vice President, Power Line Systems, Inc. - Nixa, Mo.

 

Today's engineers wouldn't even think of building a skyscraper or a suspension bridge or any structural system today unless they were to use the best tools and methods available. Yet we in the overhead line industry generally tend to boldly go where we've always gone before. It is time for us to rethink these traditional methods and move into the 21st century along with the rest of the engineering community.

 

2:50-3:05 p.m.  Refreshment break

Hosted by Milsoft Utility Solutions, Inc.

 

3:05-3:55 p.m. Concurrent sessions

 

BROADBAND INFORMATION TRANSPORT

New Trends for Internet Connectivity

Joe Okoneski, Sales Manager, Wild Blue, GotSKY.com Portola, Calif.

 

High-speed Internet access continues to be a necessity in our modern-day lives. This presentation will cover new trends for Internet connectivity via satellite technology, innovative Internet uses including remote security monitoring of substations, and future service offerings over the Internet.

 

METER RELAY & COMMUNICATION

AMR/AMI as an Integral Part of Operations

Doug Backer, Vice President of Rural Solutions, Cannon Technologies - Minneapolis, Minn.

 

Utilities are finding that an AMR Fixed Network provides information that is possibly more valuable to operations than it is to billing. This session will detail the key values relative to operations, including reduced losses, improved power flows, predictive maintenance, asset optimization, faster restoration (fewer outage hours), improved power quality, improved customer satisfaction, and reduced overtime. It also includes a summary of features described in the EPAct '05 legislation.

 

PURCHASING & STORES

Scrap Material/Save your Company

Mark Crane, Sales Manager, TW Services - Madison, S.D.

 

This presentation will cover the environmental risks associated with disposing of oil-filled equipment. It will also cover: CERCLA, or Superfund law, and how it applies to the sale of oil-filled equipment, even equipment tested well below state and federal regulatory levels for PCBs; the difference between doing what is legal and doing what is smart; why you need a well thought out corporate policy regarding the sale of used equipment; and two other environmentally sensitive materials, asbestos and lead cable.

OPERATIONS & MAINTENANCE

Underground Cable Locating

Carl Sharkey, Western Region Sales Manager, Metrotech Corporation - Santa Clara, Calif.

 

Underground cable locating is a very difficult task that involves many variables. This presentation will share some tips and tools that can make us all better locators. The presentation will cover items such as grounding, frequencies, and depth.

 

3:55-4:10 p.m.  Refreshment break

 

4:10-5 p.m.  Concurrent sessions

 

METER RELAY & COMMUNICATION

SCADA in the 21st Century

William Rambo, Vice President - Business Development, Survalent Technology - Spokane, Wash.

 

In the past five years, SCADA technology has undergone rapid changes, moving from highly proprietary,closed systems to Windows-based solutions offering greater flexibility and significantly reduced costs. The presentation will address the evolution of the SCADA industry and its rapid adoption by the small- and mid-sized segment of the electric utility industry, including: an overview of the SCADA industry, players, and small utility needs; initially overlooked emergence of Windows-based solutions; latest technologies; how utilities are using SCADA today; and a case study.

 

PURCHASING & STORES

Lead Times/Planning

Jim Connor, Regional Sales Manager, Distribution Transformers, ABB, Inc. - Jefferson City, Mo.

 

Are lead times going to get worse before they get better?  Are you panic buying?  In this session we will take a look at what can be expected with material lead times and how far in advance you need to plan your purchases. Also, we will cover how to have the material you need, while at the same time keeping inventory at a reasonable level.

 

OPERATIONS & MAINTENANCE

The Benefits of Integrating Lean Thinking Concepts into the Management of Infrared Predictive Maintenance Programs

Fred Colbert, President, Level III Certified Thermographer Instructor, Pro Thermographer's Association - Tukwila, Wash.

 

Lean thinking concepts are nothing new, but the real value is in how these concepts are integrated into a total solution. Because of ever-changing demands placed on company resources to do more with less while increasing productivity and value, many companies like Ford, GM, Boeing, and Maui Electric have been applying lean thinking into the management of their maintenance and infrared programs, drastically increasing their ROI.

5:15-7:30 p.m.  Exhibits open and reception

Hosted by associate members/ exhibitors in the exhibit area

 

7:30-8:30 a.m.  Exhibitorâ's critique breakfast

 

7:30-8:30 a.m.  Utility personnel breakfast

Hosted by POWER Engineers, Inc.

 

THURSDAY, APRIL 26

 

8 a.m.-4 p.m.  Registration

 

8:45-9:45 a.m.  General session

 

Keynote speaker:

Making the Most of Difficult Situations: Changing Markets, Changing Times

Garrison Wynn, Wynn Solutions - Houston, Texas

 

This funny, insightful keynote combines relationship building with

no-fluff motivation and change to deliver real solutions in uncertain times. Wynn examines the challenges people face and shows how to laugh at problems while using them as catalysts for success. This session provides no-cost, easily implemented, and proven solutions that people can use right away.

 

9:45-10:05 a.m.  Morning break

 

10:05-10:55 a.m.  Concurrent sessions

 

UNDERGROUND SYSTEMS

Designing Economical UG Systems

Kevin Mara, Principal Engineer, Hi-Line Engineering, LLC - Marietta, Ga.

 

Different theories for designing economical underground distribution systems will be presented based on the knowledge gained from working with public power organizations across the nation. Techniques for designing underground subdivisions will be addressed including loop and radial designs; direct burial and conduit installations of cable; and laying out transformers and services. The different methods and techniques will be compared based on economical and operational perspectives.

 

GENERATION & TRANSMISSION

Anchoring Made Easy

Tom Elsbury, Market Specialist, Hubbell Power Systems, Inc. - Centralia, Mo.

 

This presentation will cover anchor holding strengths and selection of the proper anchor for soil conditions, power installed vs. hand installed. Anchor tool maintenance implementation will also be covered including the importance of correct anchor with

correct tool and how it affects holding power.

 

SAFETY

Backfeed Protection

Steve Frost, Utility Safety Coordinator, Mid-Columbia Utilities Safety Alliance, Kennewick, Wash.

 

Electrical backfeed from transformers and other equipment can present a real danger to linemen. Since the Y2K scare and the recent storms in the nation, more customers are buying small generators for emergency power. If these generators are not physically isolated from the line side of the meter, they will introduce dangerous back-feed conditions. This presentation will discuss these and other electrical back-feed hazards.

 

11 a.m.-12:50 p.m.  Exhibits open

Group lunch in exhibit area

 

1-1:50 p.m.  Concurrent sessions

 

SUBSTATION & DISTRIBUTION

Substation Capacitor Banks

Karl Fender, Global Capacitor Products Manager, Cooper Power Systems - Greenwood, S.C.

 

Capacitors remain the most economical var source for the power system. Substation banks increase electrical efficiency, provide voltage improvement, and can help maximize power flow. In the past, externally fused banks were the only option, but now the designer has internally fused banks and fuseless capacitor banks available. This presentation will go over the benefits and limitations for each style bank as far as capacity and planning, while updating the audience on state-of-the-art capacitor projects around the world.

 

METER RELAY & COMMUNICATION

Mobile Workforce Technology

Bob Ralston, Feeney North West Wireless - Eugene, Ore.

 

Is your substation suitable to be a hot-spot for your utility's mobile workforce technology? This presentation will cover a vast selection of plans, programs, and equipment that will meet your utility's most demanding mobile workforce requirements.

 

OPERATIONS & MAINTENANCE

Rope Safety

Jeff Frisch, Manufacturer's Representative, Yale Cordage - Tigard, Ore.

 

A look at rope construction, fibers, shock loading, care, and the maintenance of ropes used by power utilities.

 

1:50-2:05 p.m.  Refreshment break

 

2:05-2:55 p.m.  Concurrent sessions

 

SUBSTATION & DISTRIBUTION

Major Impacts of NESC 2007

Changes on Overhead Lines

Paul Dorvel, Principal Electric Engineer, R.W. Beck, Inc.  Seattle, Wash.

 

The NESC 2007 contains over 200 significant changes from the 2002 version. This presentation will describe the most important NESC rule changes and what the impacts may be on overhead line design and construction. We will present examples of how to apply some of the most important rules.

 

PURCHASING & STORES

Open Versus Closed Warehousing (panel discussion)

Scott Beal, Warehouse Supervisor/Purchasing Agent, Peninsula Light Company - Gig Harbor, Wash.; Greg Hurlman, Warehouse/Purchasing Supervisor, Tillamook PUD - Tillamook, Ore.; Jim Schwilling Purchasing/Mapping, Plumas-Sierra REC - Portola, Calif.; and Al Speed, Stores Planner/Warehouse, Snohomish County PUD - Everett, Wash.

 

If you work in the warehouse industry and are involved with inventories, you want a closed warehouse. Unfortunately, some utilities cannot afford the man-power required to operate a closed warehouse. This panel will discuss the pros and cons of both the open and closed warehouse.

 

BROADBAND INFORMATION TRANSPORT

Fiber & Wireless Working Together

Motorola Representative

 

Broadband is today's communications gold standard, but reaching the end user has been enormously challenging. Innovative wireless broadband solutions are the ideal technology for enhancing and extending advanced broadband services quickly and affordably. This session will cover how wireless technology can seamlessly integrate with fiber systems to provide robust last-mile solutions.

 

2:55-3:10 p.m.  Refreshment break 

 

3:10-4 p.m.  Concurrent sessions

 

UNDERGROUND SYSTEMS

Cable Injection Technology

William (Rick) Stagi, Vice President Engineering, UtilX Corporation  region Kent, Wash.

 

Cable replacement used to be the only method for increasing reliability. An in-situ chemical injection process was developed that retards the growth and reduces the effects of water-trees in older cables. This presentation will provide a summary of the development of cable injection technology which extends the cable's life and brings reliability back up to acceptable levels, the chemistry and process, success rate, and a look at its future.

 

GENERATION & TRANSMISSION

Hell's Canyon Construction

Darel Tracy, Senior Project Engineer, POWER Engineers - Boise, Idaho

 

In the summer of 2003, Idaho Power commenced construction of the Brownlee-Oxbow #2 230-kilovolts transmission line in the famed Hell's Canyon National Recreation area. The double-circuit transmission line was designed with tubular steel base-plated poles set on drilled pier foundations. Construction access was difficult and in some locations not allowed, necessitating hand tool and aerial construction techniques. The construction contractor completed construction of the project in approximately five months, and on schedule, to enable Idaho Power to relieve a crowded electrical transmission path.

SAFETY

Arc Flash Requirements in NESC

Hugh Hoaglund, Senior Managing Partner, E-Hazard.com - Louisville, Ky.

 

The 2007 edition of the National Electric Safety Code (NESC) has new requirements regarding arc flash hazard analysis and how that relates to FR clothing. Each utility will be required to have completed this assessment by January 1, 2009. Hoagland is a leading expert on arc flash and FR clothing. He has conducted thousands of arc flash tests on behalf of utilities and manufacturers.

 

4:10-4:40 p.m.  Safety award presentations

 

6-7 p.m. Chairman's reception

Hosted by Gore Electric/Waukesha Electric Systems

 

7-10 p.m.  Banquet and awards

- Recognition of earlier Safety Award recipients

- Presentation of Exhibitor Awards

- Presentation of Milton Hunt McGuire Award

- Featured Entertainment, comedian Kermet Apio

 

Drawing for a flat screen TV - a $700 value! Must be present to win.

 

FRIDAY, APRIL 27

 

8-9 a.m.  Committee critique breakfast

 

Greater Tacoma Convention & Trade Center

1500 Broadway, Tacoma, WA 98402
Tel: 253-830-6601