PROBLEM
California Electric Distribution System faces rural, environmental, climate, and ignition challenges, which do not have a cost effective or efficient solution.
SOLUTION:
GLDS/MCC SYSTEMS
Ground Level Distribution System (GLDS)
Above ground cable tray system comprised of standard EPR under ground primary cable inserted into HDPE conduit, then encapsulated in epoxy resin concrete shrouded with the flame retardant polymeric compound cable tray.
Minimum Cover Cable System (MCC)
Incorporates the same GLDS technology but utilizes a pavement/soil excavating machine to cut a minimum depth trench into which to lay the GDLS.
Developed by former Utility Engineer and construction team in partnership with Rudd Engineering, EnergyLink, and Southwire
BENEFITS
MEETING CALIFORNIA ELECTRIC DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM NEEDS: Meets rural, environmental, climate, and ignition challenges
| SAFETY | RELIABILITY | AFFORDABILITY |
| Eliminates overhead ignition risk Removes overhead vegetation removal and working risks for crews Removes standard underground trenching hazards and spoilage removal Multilayers of arc protection: Outer Trays (Flame Retardant TPO polymer compound) Fireproof or Super concrete (proprietary blend) Inner HDPE conduit Standard fully insulated primary cable | Eliminates PSPS shutdowns • Removes animal, tree fall, and vegetation caused outages entirely | Less than half the cost of standard trenching • Anticipated cost of < $2.5M/mile |
PRODUCT INNOVATIONS
GLDS low profile, contoured design to permit vehicle drive over
• Rapid deployment where trenching is not possible due to:
- excessive ground hardness, rocky soil
- inaccessibility for trenching equipment,
- inability to dig in sacred land. • Super high strength flexibility balanced, epoxyres in concrete:
- Graphite grid reinforced with fiberglass to minimize cracking
- Light weight mix to pump and deploy in remote locations
- Water-free mix impervious to fire spalling and cracking
- Maximum heat-dissipation capability to maintain cool temperature within HDPE conduit
- Standard add-mix components with no special tools or techniques required to pour
- Thermoplastic Polyolefin Cable Tray:
- Impervious to UV and high flame temperature resilient (UL94, V-0)
- RoHS Compliant and specifically designed for flame retardancy
- Ability to embed line marking and safety warnings
- Configurable to meet multiple bend and riser layouts
- Snap together rapid installation feasibility
- Configurable to meet 1/0 to 1,100 kcml single and three phase designs
- Configurable add fiber optic or additional communication cable options • HDPE conduit
- Standard design already utilized at PG&E
- Smooth wall provides less pulling resistance
- Less joints and fit up
ADVANTAGES OF THE SYSTEM
| Increased Reliability and Availability of Power | As it relates to external implications such as high winds or storms |
Maintenance Free System | This system, like UG conduit, does not require any specific maintenance. However, cyclic visual inspection could potentially be the same as our ground mounted equipment (GO 165 – 3 Year inspection cycle) to ensure the integrity of the cable system is not compromised in any way. |
| Lower Costs | Eliminate or reduce cost in vegetation management. |
Eliminate Risk | tree/root growth into facilities (as experienced in underground systems) • dig-ins as well as clear indication of high-power line. |
Environmental Hazard Management | to support leach field challenges and methane gases below ground (challenge in Paradise electric system rebuild) |
Vehicle Access | Minimal elevation from the ground will allow vehicle access (e.g., Emergency response, Fire trucks, etc..) |
Combat Utility Easement Challenges | Potential Application and solution for Utility Easements (PUE) challenges (e.g., limited space) |
Special Applications and Solutions | for agricultural customers (e.g., organic farms, and addressing fire risk in wineries without disturbing) |
Emergency Management | with cable runs above ground (SF Network System events) |
Cable Rail System & CIC Installation
