vOptimization of Utility Networks, OptNet Brochure

Utilities Optimization of utility networks Gas / Water / Electricity OptNet® Challenges The determination of cost optimal target networks for municipal utility networks is a task that has been increasingly prioritized lately due to the liberalization of the elec-tricity and gas markets in Europe. If nothing else the strategies for incentive regulation of the Bundesnetzagentur and the actions of the Landeskartellämter concerning price and tariff assessment suggest a more fun-damental view on the efficiency of utility networks. With Fichtner Asset Services & Technolo-gies we offer a combined solution including consultancy, experience and software tools. OptNet® is a part of the FAST family of products, but, as any other module, it can also be used independently. 9 Current state evaluation • Technical condition • Calibration of damage functions • Damage trend of an network ageing undis-turbed • Benchmarking of current state A documented condition evaluation of each network section is a prerequisite of a opti-mal rehabilitation strategy. The quantification of influencing factors is a result of a survey among more than 100 master craftsmen and engineers. The most important influencing factors are: type, cause and distribution of damages, condition of the pipe wall and coating, soil corrosiveness, ground movement, type of soil, traffic load and ground water level, leakage currents, cathodic corrosion pro-tection. The quantification of influencing factors takes place within 25 material generations and 3 diameter groups (<= 80 mm, 80 to 200mm, >200mm) using an iterative meth-od: Excerpt: material generations The iteration considers the damage trends of the last years, if applicable of the com-plete life cycle. • Evaluation of current condition • Risk analysis • Monetary evaluation • Necessary rehabilitation rate • Optimal network configuration • Integrated asset management FICHTNER IT CONSULTING AG • Uhlandstraße 7/8 • 10623 Berlin optnet@fit.fichtner.de • Tel.: +49 30 60 97 65-40 Historical and calculated damages/a 9 Monetary evaluation • Replacement value • Value of erosion reserve • Asset erosion • Budget planning • Benchmarks for monetary evaluation Replacement value, cost of repairs as well as historic costs are determined by an in- ternal calculation program using unit prices for each network section. A new tool also makes synchronisation of the GIS-data with the SAP-asset accounting possible to cal- culate proportionate acquisition costs and book value. 9 Risk analysis • Failure risk and reliability • Damage prognosis with varying rehabilita- tion rates • Supply guarantee • Benchmarks on risk development Research proves that the resulting risks can be determined with a high level (roughly 95%) of precision. (GWF 9/2007). Apart from the condition the failure risk of each network section is determined. Development of failure risk for 10 yrs with(out) rehabilitation Using varying budgets the development of damages for the period can be simulated. Graphical representation of failure risk Using a n-1 failure simulation the supply guarantee can be analyzed considering customers and consumption. This simula-tion is especially important after a diameter optimization. 9 Necessary rehabilitation rate • Optimal service time • Optimal rehabilitation rate • Rehabilitation expense • Benchmarks on rehabilitation requirement The determination of the optimal service time for each network section enables the calculation of the optimal rehabilitation rate. This considers the minimum of the CAPEX and OPEX costs deduced from the calcu- lated damage rate functions. Identification the cost minimum The necessary budget for rehabilitation is determined for a period of 30 years. To- gether with the simulation of budgets within the risk analysis this results in essential information on the need for action on all levels of asset management. FICHTNER IT CONSULTING AG • Uhlandstraße 7/8 • 10623 Berlin optnet@fit.fichtner.de • Tel.: +49 30 60 97 65-40 9 Optimal network configuration • Diameter optimization • Determination of a best-net • Expense for reconfiguration • Reduction of CAPEX • Optimization of hydrant o Fire water expenditure for basic and site protection o Benchmarks on the level of optimization The most important achievable goals are: 1. Decrease of capital and operational ex-penditure by developing of a condition based strategy for rehabilitation based on optimized diameters (gas and water networks) 2. preservation or increase of network reli-ability while keeping capital and opera-tional expenditure as low as possible 3. sensitivity assessment to simulate and minimize the impact of possible failures on the supply guarantee 4. Optimization of the number of fire hy-drants (water) 5. Optimization of the number of regulators (gas) 6. decrease of network length by removal from service of unnecessary redundant network sections (mainly gas) 7. improvement of potable water quality by reducing immobilisation time (water) 8. Creation of a measure catalogue for the next 10 years on asset level for a reha-bilitation of networks (gas/water/electricity) at minimum costs considering supply risks, modern reha-bilitation systems and optimized budg-ets. The heuristic method for calculation of an optimal network configuration which has been developed for OptNet® allows for the determination of a network with optimized costs while considering the hydraulic boundary values. The Best-Net which is created as a result of the calculation is the network that can be developed starting with the current network with a minimum of ex-penditure. The calculation method considers that: • The diameters should not be enlarged if possible • Rehabilitation measures should be possible regardless of order. Diameter reductions therefore may not create bottlenecks. • The order of rehabilitation measures can therefore be chosen freely depend-ing on reliability, supply guarantee and other criterias • The network should still be working safely when the estimated consumption increases by 15% or failures affect the usage of the network • Where diameters are reduced a pre-chosen system for rehabilitation (e.g. PE-Relining) and preferred pipe materi-als are considered • The decrease of the number of hy-drants allows for considerable reduction of costs • The expenditure for fire water for basic and site protection are determined and a list of hydrants necessary for fire wa-ter for each house is compiled • Inefficient network sections are deter-mined and the impact of removing them from service is simulated. Possible diameter reduction By optimization of the network configura-tion considerable reduction of capital ex-penditure (over 20%) are gained, the effi-ciency of the network is determined and the increase of efficiency depending on the rehabilitation budget can be predicted. FICHTNER IT CONSULTING AG • Uhlandstraße 7/8 • 10623 Berlin optnet@fit.fichtner.de • Tel.: +49 30 60 97 65-40 9 Integrated asset management • Optimal management of networks • Simulation of alternative actions • Provide relevant information • Consistent basis of information for all levels of management Management of utility networks makes high demands on management because of changing market conditions. Usually vary-ing sources of information – including Opt-Net® - are available within a company. Data preparation considering the real sup-ply structures and the analysis of the cur-rent state as well as the deduction of action alternatives is virtually impossible without appropriate tools and working models. With Fichtner Asset Services & Technolo-gies we offer a combined solution contain-ing consultancy, experience and software tools which can be implemented as a highly integrated workflow within your company or are available within a service contract. Asset Management: workflow and tools The information created in OptNet® are relevant within the organization but also in conjunction with the Bundesnetzagentur and the Landeskartellämter for the deter-mination of permitted tariffs, fees and for the influence of the revenue limit. These information have to be supplied to all re-sponsible employees. The usage of tools for the optimization of management deci-sions within this context is essential. Illustration of an integrated asset management References Compiled expertises: Leipzig, Frankfurt/M, Dieburg, Zürich, Karlsruhe, Mönchengladbach, Stuttgart, Augsburg, Würzburg, Erfurt, Riesa, Pirna, Teltge, Münster, Dahme-Nuthe, Wasser Nord, Chon Buri, Magdeburg, Bonn, Rostock, München, Purena, Heidewasser, Lübeck, Freiburg, Göttingen, Kassel