1. Best Practices for SF6 Leak Reduction At Consolidated Edison Co. Of NY
Patrick Di Lillo
Technical Specialist

2. Agenda Con Edison Overview SF6 Background Information
Current/Emerging Regulation
USEPA Partnership
SF6 Emissions at Con Edison
Addressing the Leaks
Moving Forward

3. Con Edison

4. Con Edison Electrical System Overview
Con Edison of New York
Con Edison Electrical System Overview
3.2 million electric customers
660 square miles
13,322 MW peak load
94,000 miles of underground cable
36,000 miles of overhead cable
101 Substations
39 transmission
62 distribution
~210,000 lbs. of SF6

5. SF6 Background Information
Effective insulating and arc-extinguishing medium
Highly efficient in transmission and distribution equipment and switchgear
Chemically inert, high thermal stability, non-flammable/ non-toxic
Allows for small station footprint in urban area
SF6 is a greenhouse gas with a global warming potential (GWP) 22,800 times that of carbon dioxide (CO2)
Extremely long atmospheric lifetime of up to 3,200 years
Currently no viable alternative to SF6
Kapiteleinführung

6. Current/Emerging Regulation
No US EPA or NYSDEC mandated SF6 reduction regulation in effect
Both the California Air Resources Board (CARB) and Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP) have already instituted regulatory constraints for SF6 reduction
Kapiteleinführung

7. USEPA SF6 Emission Reduction Partnership for Electric Power Systems
Since 1999, members of the U.S. electric power industry and the US EPA have been voluntarily working together to reduce SF6 emissions and share information
90% decrease in SF6 emissions since 1999
95% decrease in emissions rate since inception
Since 2011, we have additionally been mandated to report all of our Greenhouse Gas Emissions (including SF6) through the US EPA Greenhouse Gas Reporting Program (GHGRP).

8. Con Edison Historical SF6 Emissions (lbs.)

9. Con Edison Historical SF6 Emission Rate
6.03%

10. 7.5% emissions rate of Nameplate Capacity
SF6 Emissions
7.5% emissions rate of Nameplate Capacity

11. Addressing the Leaks Established the Fix-It-Now (FIN) Team
Cross-Organizational Effort
Substation Operations, Engineering, System Operations & EH&S
Improve the Timeliness & Effectiveness of SF6 Repairs
Prioritize & develop a plan of action for top leakers
Focused systematic approach to repairs
Identify Leak – Plan Work – Repair – Test – Document
Ensure quality of work and documentation
Establish method for forecasting gas calls
Centrally Institute Best Practices
Repair tools, practices and ePLAN Templates
Procedures and training
SF6 inventory control and tracking

12.  Addressing the Leaks Minimize Number of Samples
ZERO Purge SF6 Analysis
Previously emitted 2 lbs per sample
lbs released per year
New DILO SF6 gas analyzers
Improved Tool for Leak Detection
State of the Art FLIR GF306 SF6 Camera 

13. Addressing the Leaks Heighten Sensitivity Associated with SF6 Leaks
VP Communication
Transparent Maximo Reports
Closely monitor reported SF6 fills through daily gas call reports
Aid in monitoring the quality of data entered

14. Moving Forward Nameplate Capacity Accuracy
Corrected Nameplate Capacity
New Requirements for Nameplate Capacity
Continue Temporary Leak Repair
Composite wrap
Colt Clamps
Permanent Repairs
Eliminate centralized gas fill system
Remove clamps on leaking welds and re-weld/repair (outage required)
NDE testing on patches/welds that aren’t clamped to identify possible future leak areas
Replace temporary bypass piping clamps with stainless tubing and DILO self-sealing fittings

15. Moving Forward Continue to Leverage Capital Programs SF6 Peer Team
Circuit Breaker Reliability Program
SF6 GIS Bus Overhauls
Automatic Ground Switch Retirements
GIS Replacements
SF6 Peer Team
SSO/EH&S-Air/Chem Lab/Engineering/TLC
Monthly meetings to keep lines of communication open
Maintain focus, identify and work through issues together
Implement New Technology with R&D
GIS phase-isolated continuous pressure monitoring
GIS bus epoxy coating
Heat shrink wrap technology(EPRI researching application)

16. Moving Forward Refine SF6 Gas Procedures and Practices
Guidance presently being provided through Engineering Test Letters
Document best practices in Smart Procedures, ePLAN Templates, Standard Maximo Job Plans
Improve block training, supervisor training and refresher training

17. Questions? Patrick Di Lillo Technical Specialist
Consolidated Edison Co. Of NY