Topic:"Right Of Way" in M13118

Climate Risk and Impact Transmission assets are exposed to high winds, ice storms, vegetation interaction, thermal loading, wildfire, and coastal impacts. These climate-related hazards can affect conductors, structures, rights-of-way, and...

AI summary Climate-related hazards such as high winds, ice storms, vegetation interaction, thermal loading, wildfire, and coastal impacts pose risks to transmission assets. Adaptation planning aims to strengthen infrastructure design, improve monitoring, and reduce outage frequency and restoration time.

Adaptation in Practice Example / Initiative Why It Matters Risk-Based Feeder Planning Distribution investments are prioritized using feeder risk profiles that incorporate outage history, asset condition, customer impacts, accessibility, lo...

AI summary The document outlines various adaptation initiatives aimed at enhancing grid resilience and reliability. These include risk-based feeder planning, enhanced vegetation management, grid modernization, climate-informed design standards, and wildfire risk assessments. These efforts are intended to reduce outages, improve restoration times, and protect infrastructure from climate-related risks.

Current climate adaptation activities for distribution assets include: - Expanding vegetation management, right-of-way widening, and hazard tree removal programs to reduce weather-related outages. - Replacing aging conductors, poles, trans...

AI summary Current climate adaptation activities for distribution assets include expanding vegetation management, replacing aging equipment, using satellite imagery for vegetation assessment, and completing build-to-roadside projects to improve access for maintenance and storm restoration.

3.4 Ignition probability Utilities in North America are developing and using tools and processes to assess the risk of ignition across regions of the grid (or more granularly, e.g., circuits, spans, or assets). Power lines contribute to wi...

AI summary The text discusses the risk of wildfires caused by powerline-related ignitions in Nova Scotia, highlighting that vegetation contacting overhead electrical equipment is the primary cause. NS Power uses right-of-way risk profiles to assess and manage these risks, targeting higher-risk areas for vegetation management and capital investments.

5.3 Helicopter Inspections Helicopter inspections allow for an aerial perspective of overhead structures, conductor spans, and right-of-way encroachments. These inspections are designed to identify obvious structural or vegetation problems...

AI summary Helicopter inspections are used for aerial assessments of overhead structures, conductor spans, and right-of-way encroachments, primarily for transmission line due diligence patrols. These inspections are conducted in the fall to identify visible risks and potential ignition sources before the wildfire season.

5.4 LiDAR Surveys Accurate surveys of rights-of-way are critical for effective and appropriate line management. Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) data provides a detailed source of structure, conductor, and vegetation data for power line...

AI summary LiDAR surveys are essential for managing power line rights-of-way by providing detailed data on structures, conductors, and vegetation. This data supports vegetation management and wildfire mitigation, with regular LiDAR inspections currently in place for high-voltage lines and under evaluation for expansion.

6.0 Wildfire Risk Reduction Components in poor condition are at higher risk of unplanned failure and should be prioritized for replacement or upgrade. Investment in maintaining or upgrading overhead lines will reduce the potential for tran...

AI summary The text discusses measures taken by NS Power to reduce wildfire risk, including upgrading infrastructure, vegetation management, and using technology for monitoring and inspection. These efforts aim to make the power system more resilient to climate change and prevent equipment failure that could cause wildfires.

7.0 Vegetation Management NS Power's electrical system is made up of over 32,000 km of power lines—the majority of which run through forested areas and along tree lined roads. Each year, the Company's vegetation management team identifies...

AI summary NS Power's Vegetation Management Program aims to reduce tree contacts with power lines, improve system reliability, and mitigate wildfire risks by widening corridors, trimming trees, and managing rights-of-way. The program has seen increased investment, from $32 million in 2023 to $45 million in 2024 and 2025-2026.

Table 9: Clearance Distances for Specific Energized Overhead Conductors Regarding Sag Analysis Threat Level 138 kV 230 kV 345 kV Encroachment 3.8 m 4.3 m 4.9 m Hazard 1.8 m 2.3 m 2.9 m Danger 0.9 m 1.4 m 2.0 m These clearances are supporte...

AI summary Table 9 outlines clearance distances for energized overhead conductors at different voltage levels (138 kV, 230 kV, 345 kV) based on threat levels (encroachment, hazard, danger). These clearances are determined through field inspections, growth prediction, sag analysis, and LiDAR-based assessments, with the Vegetation Management Team identifying transmission clearances calculated at maximum sag.

7.2 Right-of-Way Management Right-of-way (ROW) management, including widening, is directed by the Forestry team at NS Power. Targeted widening is dependent on the site, but targeted widths are generally between 18-32 metersfortransmission...

AI summary NS Power's Forestry team manages right-of-way (ROW) widths for transmission and distribution lines, with targeted widths of 18-32 meters and 6 meters respectively. The New Distribution ROW program increased clearance to 6 meters on the forestside of lines. Vegetation management includes breaking brush into smaller pieces to reduce fuel hazards, and the team aims to create sustainable ROWs that minimize the need for regular cutting.

Hazard Trees Hazard trees pose a risk to powerlines from branch contact, partial tree, or whole tree failure. The resulting risks include outages, property damage, personal injury, and wildfire ignition. Successful hazard tree evaluation m...

AI summary Hazard trees pose risks to powerlines and public safety, leading to outages and wildfires. NS Power manages this through integrated vegetation management and promotes the 'Right Tree Program' to help customers choose appropriate trees for planting near powerlines.

Vegetation and Fuel Management Vegetation managementremains one of NS Power's most important wildfire mitigation activities. Through inspection programs, right-of-way maintenance, hazard tree assessments, corridor widening initiatives, and...

AI summary Vegetation and fuel management are critical for wildfire mitigation and system reliability. NS Power manages vegetation through inspections, maintenance, and corridor widening. Collaboration with municipalities, regulators, and other stakeholders is encouraged to improve wildfire risk reduction and align tree planting with reliability goals. Broader fuel management initiatives can also enhance community and infrastructure resilience.