Outage Statistics As a Basis for Determining Line Clearance Program Status

Nov. 11, 2010

Outage statistics are the most meaningful measure of the success or failure of a line clearance program.Read more...

Presented in Cleveland, OH, 1996 International Society of Arboriculture Conference; printed in the Fall 1996 UAA Quarterly:

Outage statistics are the most meaningful measure of the success or failure of a line clearance program. Using vegetation inventories as a basis for modelling budget impacts on future outages and budget requirements represents a powerful tool for securing adequate funding. The combination of outage history and predictions can be used to demonstrate due diligence, thereby managing the risk associated with tree-conductor contacts...

About the Author

Sig Guggenmoos | P. Ag. CPC President, Ecological Solutions Inc., Sherwood Park, Alberta, Canada

Education: Bachelor of Science in Agriculture B.Sc.(Agr.)

Accreditations: Professional Agrologist (P.Ag.); Certified Professional Consultant (CPC)

Organizations: Alberta Institute of Agrologists, International Society of Arboriculture, Utility Arborist Association, Industrial Vegetation Management Association of Alberta.

Mr. Guggenmoos was a chief architect of the TransAlta Utilities Distribution Line Clearance program, which reduced tree related outages 80%; saved 48 million dollars over two maintenance cycles; had a 98% customer satisfaction rating; and, showed a 21% increase in contractor crew productivity. He was responsible for the herbicide program, associated research and communication. In addition, he brought a financial focus to the program, developing processes for financial comparisons of alternatives to repetitive tree pruning and was intimately involved in the design and assessment of contracting methods.

As president of Ecological Solutions Inc. (Ecosync) Mr. Guggenmoos provides consulting services in vegetation management and biotic greenhouse gas mitigation strategies including biomass-derived energy.

Publications and Presentations:
Author of numerous abstracts and publications; numerous presentations to public, industry and professional associations including international conferences. List of publications available upon request.