The Utilization of GIS Technology at Northeastern REMC Presented By: Steven Weber, GISP Northeastern REMC (260)

Who is Northeastern REMC? N A Touchstone Energy Electric Cooperative providing service to over 27,000 meters in Northeastern Indiana. We serve a densely populated area of 600 sq. mi. and experience about 3.5% growth annually. About 55% of our electric plant is underground facilities.

Approximately 100 D-size maps (covered less than ¼ of our system). Less than 200 of 20,000 poles mapped. Less than 50% of 13,000 transformers mapped. Not a single service/meter mapped of 23,000 customers. Most map updates occurred quarterly. Mapping at NREMC “after”. Mapping at NREMC “before”. Entire service territory is mapped. Every piece of equipment is mapped. every service/meter is mapped. Map updates of the entire system occur daily.

Northeastern began our GIS project in Used a consultant only for our GPS data collection RFP. Collected approximately 70,000 GPS points. Remapped our entire service territory down to the meter. We put our GIS data in a mobile environment in We currently have approximately 30 mobile users, and 12 desktop users. Our GIS deployment integrates with our GPS, AVL, OMS, CIS, and AMI systems. Northeastern REMC GIS facts.

Northeastern REMC GIS integration.

Mobile GIS components at Northeastern REMC Field Staking – used to layout and design new construction and rebuild efforts. Mobile GIS Server - serves as our hub for deploying our GIS data and communicates directly with our ArcSDE Server. The software that manages our sync process. Mapbook – simple to use GIS viewing application. Redline Extension – used to create and share field mark-ups and sketches. Inspection Extension – used to update enterprise attribute information. GPS – used for navigation and recording facility locations. AVL – used for tracking all Northeastern vehicles.

Field Staking – used to layout/design new construction and rebuild efforts. Staking Engineers design a job in their staking software. When they return to the office that job can be processed up to our mapping database and viewed in ArcMap.

Mapbook – Mobile map application. Mapbook automatically synchronizes with our GIS database sending office information to the field and field information to the office. When connected to our network, mapbook will automatically sync every hour. Manual syncs can be initiated by the user at any time. We currently have 42 Mapbook users.

Mapbook displays all GIS layers and allows individual user layer control. Mapbook provides very user-friendly toolbars. Mapbook allows users to customize their display. Mapbook provides detailed attribute data. Mapbook – simple to use map viewing application.

Mxd. Map definitions and.xml set-up configurations gives us the flexibility to make changes in- house and on-the-fly. Our configuration file is edited on our server and changes are quickly distributed to all Mapbook clients via the sync process. Configurations can be edited and distributed system- wide in about 5 minutes. Mapbook – simple to use map viewing application.

We also use the sync process to quickly distribute other important documents to field personnel. We can quickly distribute important system load information or important equipment documentation/manuals via our sync process. Mapbook – simple to use map viewing application.

We can utilize hyperlinks To attach more detailed information and/or support documents to any feature. This feature is very helpful for large outage restoration. Mapbook – simple to use map viewing application.

Pre-configured tracing tools Make network analysis for outage restoration simple and intuitive. Our trace tool allows us to quickly determine how many Customers are being fed from a Particular point and identifies possible Switching/restoration points. Mapbook – simple to use map viewing application. In outage situations flow arrows provide source/load information.

We are able to create, categorize, share, and archive redlines from the field. Once a client syncs with our server, all redlines are sent to all other Mapbook clients and to our GIS. Redlines can be viewed from ArcMap. Mapbook – simple to use map viewing application.

Our inspection module allows us to efficiently inspect poles, transformers, fuses, and protective devices. With our Mapbook inspections we have greatly reduced paper usage and inspection turn- around time. Data errors are reduced and data is standardized with the use of drop-down selection options. Inspections requiring further work are flagged. After syncing, our GIS is automatically updated with inspection data. Maintains historical records that can be examined for patterns. Mapbook – simple to use map viewing application.

Mobile GIS installation and training Our entire mobile system was installed and configured on our server and 40+ clients in less than 1 week. Our initial user training session was 30 minutes. We developed a “test” to insure basic comprehension and efficiency using Mapbook. Every user was required to answer 90% of the test correctly. Out of 45 employees only 2 needed training beyond the original 30 minutes to pass the user test.

Office GIS components at Northeastern REMC ESRI suite – 2 ArcEditor Seats + ArcSDE (Oracle) +ArcGIS Server Windmil – Engineering analysis software for load studies and system planning. CIS – Customer Information System. OMS – Outage Management System. AMI – Automated Meter Infrastructure. AVL – Automated Vehicle Location.

Office GIS components at Northeastern REMC Windmil – Engineering analysis software for load studies and system planning. (The electric model used by Windmil is created in the GIS map.)

Office GIS components at Northeastern REMC CIS – Customer Information System. (Two-way data exchange with GIS plus GIS map graphics.)

Office GIS components at Northeastern REMC OMS – Outage Management System. (Electric model and map graphics from GIS.)

Office GIS components at Northeastern REMC AMI – Automated Meter Infrastructure. (GIS has full access to AMI data.)

Office GIS components at Northeastern REMC AVL – used for tracking all Northeastern vehicles. (AVL data is stored in GIS and served to various viewers.)

Web GIS components at Northeastern REMC Testing is completed and we will be rolling out GIS information to our corporate website. We will begin with territory and board representative information, and will advance to outage graphics and AVL information.

GIS benefits at Northeastern REMC Simple user interfaces enable enterprise wide use. Very customizable applications allow for easy integrations. Very quick data distribution. Better communication between office and field personnel. Move informed decisions can be made quicker. Improved database integrity. Empowers field personnel with tools and information needed for quick and safe outage restoration. Provides a very visual option to our employees and our consumers.

Presented By: Questions? Steven Weber Northeastern REMC (260)