SCE needed a wildfire hardening solution for poles to support its heavier covered conductor. By Clinton Char and Brian O’Keefe, Southern California Edison, and Galen Fecht, RS Technologies Inc. A recent study by the journal Nature predicts an increase in the length of the California fire season from 36 days per year up to 58 days or 71 days, depending on moderate and high emission scenarios, respectively. An extended fire season means the threat of fire will start earlier in the spring, when historically there has been enough moisture to reduce fire threats, and extend later into the fall, which is particularly challenging considering the problematic combination of strengthening regional Santa Ana winds, which are associated with the lowest relative humidity of the year in Southern California, and already dry vegetation. High fire threat areas (in red and orange) in SCE service territory Confirming this ominous trend, in the last five years, California endured 13 of the 20 most destructive fires in the state’s history. With larger and more devastating fires now becoming the new normal, the term gigafire has emerged to label fires with over 1 million acres (404,686 hectares) burned. With 5 million customers in a 50,000-sq mile (129,500-sq km) service territory consisting of 4300 distribution circuits over 91,000 miles (146,450 km) of lines, Southern California Edison (SCE) has clearly mapped out high fire risk areas and understands the need for an effective fire-threat mitigation strategy. Prevention is one component of SCE’s strategy, manifested by the replacement of bare conductor with an insulated, covered conductor. However, with 1.4 million poles in its grid – most of which are wood – SCE also needed a proven wildfire hardening solution for poles to support the new, heavier covered conductor. Resilient Material Although it is the most prevalent material for distribution poles, wood is combustible. Steel poles are conductive and, in studies conducted by SCE, have the low potential to initiate wildfires under certain conditions. Concrete poles are too heavy to install in the remote areas of SCE’s service territory. Because they do not support combustion and they are the most wood like (that is, they can be drilled in the field), composite poles quickly emerged as a front runner for consideration in SCE’s wildfire-threat mitigation strategy. Two general polymer categories exist: thermoplastics and thermosets. Thermoplastics, also known generally as plastics, are items like a water bottle or the molded bumper cover on a vehicle. They are formed from pellets or powder using heat. Thermoplastics are not structural materials, so they melt when exposed to heat. Thermoset materials are entirely different than thermoplastics. Thermosets are composed of two components – a resin and hardener – that are mixed to create an exothermic reaction resulting in an irreversibly cured solid. When combined with a reinforcing fiber like nonconductive electrical glass, or E-glass, a structural element known as fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP) composite is created. Because thermosets do not melt when exposed to fire, they maintain their form. The non-combustible performance characteristics of composite materials are widely understood. However, extreme fire exposure can be the ultimate test for any material type. Full-Scale Test Method Flame temperatures recorded during the 3-min RS-Ackerman fire test. Although composite materials do not support combustion, their surface can char with sufficient heat flux exposure. Historically, flammability tests for polymer materials relied solely on laboratory-based tests initially designed for the home appliance market. While effective for their intended purpose, these coupon-scale tests did not realistically simulate the intensity of a wildfire, which has been described by wildfire survivors as a huge wall of fire. Going back to 2011, composite pole manufacturer RS Technologies set out to design a full-scale test that would represent a severe wildfire moving through a utility line right-of-way. Partnering with a fire expert from the University of Alberta, Mark Ackerman, a test method was developed. The test parameters were established based on known wildfire characteristics: Peak heat flux (energy) of 22 Btu/sq ft (250 kW/sq m) Maximum temperature of 1472°F to 2192°F (800°C to 1200°C), with most fires below 1832°F (1000°C) Exposure durations ranging from less than 30 sec for grass-fueled fires up to 90 sec for heavy coniferous forest fires, with most wildfire residence times in the 45-sec to 60-sec range. The total heat flux, or total amount of energy, of the fire depends on many factors, including fuel type, quantity, moisture content and fire duration. The RS-Ackerman full-scale fire test method starts with a full pole embedded in the ground, with an embedment depth consistent with an installed pole. Next, a 10-ft (3-m) tall steel shroud is installed around the base of the pole. The shroud has three holes spaced at 120 degrees around the base, which allows for three propane-fed burners to deliver the flame exposure. Typically, the test is run for either a 2-min burn or 3-min burn. This establishes the performance on both severe and extreme fire scenarios, respectively. The peak temperature of the test is 2332°F (1278°C) with a total heat flux of 16,540 kW-s/sq m, which is applicable for the 3-min exposure version of the test on the RS Fire Shield, a composite shell made from the same materials used on any round cross-section pole, including composite poles, to provide extreme fire protection. After the exposure duration has been achieved, the fuel source is turned off and the steel shroud removed. RS-Ackerman fire test method setup. The RS-Ackerman test duplicates both radiative (the transfer of heat without any physical contact) and convective (the transfer of heat from one place to another by the movement of air) heat flux exposure. Utility pole heat flux exposure depends on whether the energy transfer is purely radiative, where the surface is not contacted by flames, or a combination of radiative and convective. Perhaps the most important element in the RS-Ackerman fire test is the post-fire exposure strength test. After the steel shroud is removed, the complete pole is extracted from the ground and loaded into a test fixture to complete a vertical

Woodpeckers are not only interested in trees. They are also eyeing electricity and telecommunications distribution poles. The damage they cause is significant, to such an extent that it represents the second leading cause of pole replacement at Hydro-Québec. A large woodpecker stands perched at the entrance to its nest dug into an electricity distribution pole. PHOTO: HYDRO-QUÉBEC Andre Berard, RADIO-CANADA You may have seen or heard them banging non-stop on a pole in your neighborhood or yard. You probably smiled and wondered if those woodpeckers had fallen on your head. Why do they attack poles? For three reasons: to drum, what serves to mark their territory, it is without damage. But also, for food and nesting. And that’s a whole other story. Multiple boreholes can affect the integrity of poles. A woodpecker hole at the top of a pole. PHOTO : P.CADIEUX – UQAM – HYDROMEGA The affection of woodpeckers for poles is not new: this phenomenon was already observed in the days of the telegraph. Since then, the number of poles in Canada has multiplied, as has the number of woodpeckers. The survey of breeding birds in Canada indicates that between 1990 and 2014 the population of great woodpeckers doubled in Canada and tripled in Quebec. As a result, Hydro-Québec, which manages a fleet of 2 million poles, has seen an increase in woodpecker activity on its facilities. Dan Mastrocola is an engineer and head of pole maintenance at Hydro-Québec Distribution. PHOTO: RADIO-CANADA / A. BERNARD “We see places that were not affected and are now becoming more and more so. If we look at the figures from 2012 to 2021, we had more than 100,000 poles documented with damage caused by woodpeckers. About 12,000 poles need to be replaced.” — A quote from Dan Mastrocola, engineer and head of pole maintenance at Hydro-Québec Distribution A pole has a lifespan of about 60 years. It is usually at the end of this period that it is replaced. However, repeated attacks by woodpeckers can accelerate its degradation and force its premature replacement. At Hydro-Québec, woodpecker activity has become the second leading cause of pole replacement, after age. It was long believed that woodpeckers were more interested in old poles because they are more likely to be invaded by carpenter ants, the woodpecker feast. But this is not the case! Hydromega found out in 2015 in Dokis, Ontario. Hydromega’s distribution line in Dokis, Ontario, some of whose poles have been attacked by woodpicks. PHOTO : P.CADIEUX – UQAM – HYDROMEGA “It’s something we’ve never experienced before. The plant had been in operation for about two years, and we had about fifty poles out of 500 already damaged. A 10% of the line, which is not negligible.” — A quote from Sébastien Tilmant, Environment and Asset Optimization Manager at Hydroméga This episode kicked off a joint research project that brings together Hydroméga, Hydro-Québec and the Université de Québec à Montréal, among others. UQAM researcher Pierre Drapeau has been interested in woodpeckers for several years. In this case, his gaze turns mainly to the great woodpecker and the flamboyant peak. A flamboyant woodpecker lies in wait for the surroundings from its nest dug into an electricity distribution pole. PHOTO : P.CADIEUX – UQAM – HYDROMEGA The damage caused to poles by wood picks is of two different kinds. First, we note the feed holes, which can be multiple and shallow. They are used to reach colonies of carpenter ants. Then the birds can dig their nests inside the poles; In this case, the cavity they create is significantly larger. This nesting cavity, in the heart of a pole, has a diameter of about 15 cm and a height of about 50 cm. PHOTO: RADIO-CANADA / A. BERNARD “For a woodpecker, a Hydro pole is a dead snag on the ground. That’s how you have to look at it. What makes it settle on a pole rather than in the middle of the forest? That is an open question at the moment.” — A quote from Pierre Drapeau, Professor in the Department of Biological Sciences at the Université du Québec à Montréal (UQAM) Pierre Drapeau and his colleague Philippe Cadieux, from UQAM, in the field for research on woodpeckers PHOTO: RADIO-CANADA / A. BERNARD In the field, in a natural environment and near power lines, Pierre Drapeau and his team have begun research to document woodpecker habits, their feeding radius, the state of the forest in which they live, etc Among the hypotheses being studied, is it possible that woodpeckers opt for poles when nearby trees are not large enough to dig a nest? In parallel with university research on woodpeckers, Hydro-Québec must, during frequent visual inspections of its poles, improve the description of the holes dug by the pick. Depending on their size and number, it is necessary to estimate the point at which the pole will have lost too much of its mechanical strength. On a test bench, Hydro-Québec conducted tests to measure the loss of efficiency of poles damaged by wood picks. Securely held at one end, a winch pulls on the cable attached to the head of the pole until the pole gives way. Dan Mastrocola, who supervises the tests, notes from the first tests sometimes significant losses of capacity. “We have seen from 10% to almost 40% loss of capacity. That’s pretty important. Indeed, at more than 40%, in theory, the pole should be replaced.” — A quote from Dan Mastrocola, engineer in charge of pole maintenance at Hydro-Québec Distribution A pole damaged by wood picks (green mark) is subjected to a mechanical strength test on a Hydro-Québec test bench. PHOTO: RADIO-CANADA / A.BERNARD Replacing a pole costs $5500 or more, depending on the equipment that is installed on it or its proximity to an access road. Electric utilities try to protect some of their poles from woodpecker attacks using physical barriers, including wire mesh or rigid casings. However, their effectiveness is sometimes limited. The other option is

A lightweight, modular composite pole being assembled for a wetland installation By Galen Fecht, RS Technologies Inc. There is now a high-performance composite alternative to those ubiquitous wood utility poles that line our streets and sidewalks. The humble utility pole, or telephone pole as it is commonly referred to, carries more than just telephone lines. In fact, any given utility pole will typically support a host of essential services like electricity (i.e. hydro power), voice, and data communication that are critical to empowering our daily lives. Wood poles have been used for over 175 years and, in that time, they have done a decent job of supporting overhead line networks. But times are changing. The “old growth” wood poles of yesterday were stronger than they are now. First generation poles were treated with preservative chemicals like creosote to slow down rot, whereas today’s wood pole is likely to be a less dense, tree farm-sourced pole treated with less effective preservatives, with less strength, higher deflection, and requiring earlier replacement. This shift in wood pole performance, coupled with the increasingly severe weather and environmental events that many of us are experiencing (think of wildfires and hurricanes), makes the case for pivoting to a more resilient and longer lasting type of utility pole. Steel and concrete poles are alternative choices, but they have their respective drawbacks. Steel poles are subject to corrosion and are conductive, which presents challenges for utility line crews performing live line installation and maintenance work, and public safety risks when there is an insulator fault. Concrete poles are extremely heavy, which complicates logistics and installation procedures. So, what else is available as an alternative to the status quo? The answer is composite poles, which are light weight and deliver reliable, engineered performance. These tubular poles are also known as fibre-reinforced polymer (FRP) or fibreglass poles. Composite poles are comprised of structural fibres, from which the pole derives it strength, and a thermoset resin, which is the “glue” that transfers load stress to and between the fibres. Although composite poles have been in use since the 1960s, it is only within the last 10 years that they have been more widely adopted by electric utility and communication companies. While many factors are driving increased adoption, the rationale can be boiled down to the fact that composite poles solve many of the problems that afflict wood, steel and concrete poles. What about cost? Are composite poles more expensive than wood poles? A 40 to 50 ft. composite pole commonly used in an overhead electric distribution line will typically be three to five times the cost of a comparable $500 wood pole. But, as with many things we purchase in life, up front price isn’t the entire story. Planning, engineering, labour, transportation, equipment, inspection, and maintenance costs for that $500 wood pole typically add up to about $9,500, bringing the total wood pole cost to $10,000 or more. Comparatively, the installation of a $2,500 composite pole is about $12,000, which represents only a 20 per cent premium on a total installed cost basis. For pole lengths beyond 50 ft., there is a negative correlation between cost difference and pole length for wood poles and composite poles (i.e. as pole length increases, the cost difference reduces). As we will see, in many situations, this extra cost more than pays for itself.   A three-year old, structurally compromised wood pole riddled with woodpecker holes and displaying five instances of woodpecker hole remediation attempts (the plastic wrap on the pole) One reason to use a composite pole instead of a wood pole is simply because wood poles do not last as long as they should. On average, wood poles are expected to last 40 years. However, there are some installations where a wood pole will last only a fraction of that time before it needs to be replaced. In North America, woodpeckers and pests like carpenter ants are responsible for hundreds of millions of dollars in damage to wood poles annually. In some instances, a wood pole can be structurally unfit to support its initial design load in only two or three days after its installation if it is aggressively targeted by woodpeckers. Should that happen to a wood pole, another $10,000 investment is required to again replace the compromised wood pole. Woodpeckers, ants, and other wildlife can’t damage a composite pole. Replacing the woodpecker damaged wood pole with a composite pole eliminates the need to replace the pole for the next 80 years, which is the average service life of some composite poles. Appreciating that woodpeckers are territorial, a composite pole is a good investment to mitigate future damage and frequent replacement costs. Premature rot is another situation when a wood pole might not last as long as it should. Because utility poles are embedded into the ground, accelerated wood rot often occurs in wetland areas or regions with high water tables. The use of a composite pole solves the rot problem and, in these applications, is also a superior choice from an environmental perspective. Composite poles also do not contain harmful preservative chemicals that ultimately leach into the ground from wood poles. This makes composite poles an excellent choice in areas where drinking water wells are located, or in sensitive wetland environments. Speaking of wetlands, these areas typically need specialized equipment to install utility poles, such as tracked vehicles or mobile cranes, and often require swamp mats to facilitate site access. These are additional time and cost considerations that can easily double the installed cost of a pole. This example leads to another reason to use composite poles: where the total installation cost is higher than average. The more remote or off-road a pole location is, the higher the cost to install and maintain that pole. Because composite poles are about 1/3 the weight of a comparable wood pole, lighter duty equipment can be used which typically results in a lower installed cost for a composite pole compared to a wood

Wood pole framing is common on transmission networks throughout North America and indeed across the globe. However, while the typical service life of such poles is normally between 50 and 60 years, damage caused by various species of woodpeckers has, in extreme cases, required these structures be replaced in only a fraction of that time. Moreover, poles in affected line corridors may also need more frequent inspection since incidence of hole pecking occurs over a narrower time frame than most other problems. All this has made the activity of these birds a growing asset management challenge. INMR first reported on the problem in the Q1, 2017 issue with an article discussion how one Canadian utility was assessing the situation and how best to respond. This follow-up article discusses progress on a trial evaluation of one of the measures identified to resolve woodpecker damage. FortisBC, a utility operating in the west coast province of British Columbia, conducts maintenance assessments of its overhead lines on an 8-year cycle. This includes both below grade and above grade inspections of each structure. Apart from checking sample wood poles for issues such as moisture penetration, visual assessment is also performed on structures, cross-arms, line hardware and conductors. Engineering Manager, Aram Khalil-Pour, explains that current FortisBC practice is that line inspection personnel in the field assess the extent of woodpecker damage to poles and decide whether an affected structure must be replaced or if more detailed inspection is required. Moreover, data on number of woodpecker holes is now being collected to determine whether the problem is stable or increasing, possibly due to factors related to climate change. Moving to steel or concrete poles is an obvious solution but comes with the challenge of transporting and erecting much heavier structures, often at remote sites that are inaccessible by road. Both materials also offer less BIL than wood and this can impact an existing line’s electrical characteristics. Another option is composite fiberglass poles that are light and offer lower installation costs than steel or concrete alternatives. Yet such structures are generally much more costly than wood poles. Delivery lead time is perceived to be another potential problem due to a smaller base of qualified suppliers. Apart from these issues, Khalil-Pour is also concerned that such structures will not provide as easy to climb as wood poles and therefore may require use of a bucket truck for maintenance. Yet another question mark is how long a service life such poles offer under exposure to high UV radiation and periodic wetting. Nevertheless, Khalil-Pour and Operations Manager, Tom Harrison, feel that composite poles offer an effective solution for high problem areas, looked at on a case-by-case basis. With all these considerations in mind, engineers selected a 230kV transmission line that is among those most affected by woodpeckers. The line runs through a hilly corridor bordering lakes and sparse pine forest. One specific structure was identified and this past June its wood framing was replaced by composite fiberglass poles and cross-braces. Khalil-Pour states that the focus for the time being is mainly on field experience when it comes to replacing wood framing with composite poles using established construction procedures. Among the main factors in this regard is how well current construction procedures are able to adapt to the requirements of the new structures. For example, like wood framing, composite poles do not require special civil engineering to prepare foundations and are simply buried in place. A related issue, he notes, is feedback from crews on how easy these poles are in terms of handling and drilling. Given the importance of such information from this trial installation, FortisBC had a team of engineers as well as supervisory staff on site. The objective was to observe the changeover firsthand and monitor how well current field techniques meld with whatever special requirements are needed when installing the new structures. Moreover, Colin Wilson, a representative from the manufacturer in Ontario, was also on hand to offer expertise and answer questions. Wilson, himself a former linesman, reports that FortisBC is certainly not alone in having to find solutions to woodpecker problems. For example, he reports that a neighboring utility, BC Hydro, has already installed over a hundred such structures in high problem areas. He also states that woodpecker damage to wood utility poles is far from being a localized problem but occurs across North America and indeed worldwide. The next cyclical 8 year maintenance inspection is scheduled in 3 to 4 years and both Khalil-Pour and Harrison express concern about how they will be able to assess the condition of the new framing. “We have had a long track record with inspecting wood poles,” says Harrison, “and there is plenty of experience identifying incipient issues before they evolve into serious problems. With composite poles, it may prove more difficult for us to decide why and when these must be replaced.”

Nature’s Fury: Remnants of wood structure show damage after the fall storm The span across the Allegheny River at the Buckaloons, placed back in the 1950s, was already scheduled to be replaced. However, one of Mother Nature’s strong fall windstorms put this project on the fast track.  The windstorm took down three old wooden poles on each side of the river, bringing down the 590-foot span and disrupting service along Route 337 for about 10 miles and along Route 62 for about eight miles. Power was rerouted through the Whig Hill substation, with very few voltage issues, even during the heavy draw from manufacturing plants in the area. Under Way: The new span goes up. Warren Electric Cooperative (WEC) stepped into the future by using poles that are recycled fiber/resin, 70 feet in length and 5,000 pounds in weight, but telescopic for easier transportation, fewer highway permits and efficient installation. They are environmentally friendly, cost effective and fireproof, with a 100-year lifespan. Fiber/resin poles are one-third the weight of wooden poles.  “WEC linemen enjoyed the challenge of this new technology,” notes Chris Evans, system engineer. “The poles arrived quickly on site with technicians provided to train the linemen on installation. This was the first use of these fiber/resin poles in Pennsylvania.”   Do It This Way: On-site training and job briefings are conducted before work begins. Materials were received in about two weeks, training took four days and the span was replaced and in service in two weeks.  Traditional utility poles have distinct disadvantages. Wooden utility poles are probably the most common utility pole in use today, followed by concrete and steel. Wooden utility poles are susceptible to rot or destruction because of weather and bug infestation. To prevent the destruction of the poles, many wooden poles are soaked in creosote. However, WEC does not use creosote. There are safer choices of wood preservative treatments including: Penta (pentachlorophenol, a pesticide), CCA (Chromated Copper Arsenate, rendering the wood fiber useless as a food source for fungi and termites) and ET (Emulsion Treated, a lubrication oil). Creosote is a highly toxic substance that has possible links to cancer in humans. The creosote can leech out of poles onto the ground and eventually end up polluting water sources. Even with the creosote application, wooden poles still have a limited life span, and they need extensive maintenance and routine replacement. Concrete poles have been used in place of wood in some places. Unfortunately, concrete poles are extremely heavy and often require a crane or special machinery to assemble the pole in the field. Also, these poles are a problem in remote locations because the weight of the pole requires the use of heavy trucks to transport them. Steel poles are lighter than concrete, but remain burdensome and are susceptible to environmental factors, like rust. Steel poles also can present a danger to people working on or near the poles. (Information from www.wipo.int) Helping Hands: Project representatives shown left to right are: Bob Kunkle, Shanahan & Associates for Geotek/PUPI fiberglass arms, Chris Evans, WEC engineering and operations manager, and Gary Coughlin, HD Supply for RS Technologies Inc.  

The industry that supplies composite utility poles has undergone a similar technical evolution to what was seen for composite insulators. As with this latest insulator technology, performance of first generation composite utility poles did not always measure up to expectations and left some customers with legitimate concerns about continued use. This triggered a review of problems among suppliers as well as efforts to overcome these. In the case of composite poles, among the key issues going back to the time they were first developed has been degradation from continuous exposure to combinations of UV and moisture. Galen Fecht, Technical Service and International Sales Director at Ontario-based RS Technologies, explains that the service life of fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP) materials is governed by their ability to resist such exposure and that this depends largely on resin formulation. Composite pole technology goes back over 50 years and resin improvements have evolved based on field experience with materials that initially did not always meet customer expectations for service life As with the rods and tubes used as the structural elements in composite insulators, FRP poles are made from glass fibers, which provide the strength, and also a resin that bind the fibers into a matrix. Typically, most pole manufacturers have now come to rely only on E-glass fibers due to the best combination of desired electrical and structural characteristics. Resins include polyester, vinyl ester and polyurethane types. Fecht advises that, while polyester and vinyl ester resins are both workable and stable materials, they are not ideal for incorporating UV stabilizers into their composition. The reason, he says, is a phenomenon termed ‘fiber blooming’, whereby progressive environmental degradation of these resins can cause glass fibers to eventually protrude from the material. To overcome this problem, some manufacturers add a special ‘veil’ cloth in a secondary manufacturing operation while others apply a protective layer of paint. Fecht claims that the superior solution is to rely only on polyurethane resin that he says resists voids and more easily accepts UV stabilizers into its formulation. Each pole is made up of modular sections whose diameters govern structural strength A composite utility pole of up to 170 ft. (over 50 m) in height is typically made of modular sections, each produced by winding resin impregnated strands of fiberglass onto a steel mandrel – basically the same process used in manufacturing composite tubes for hollow core insulators. As with tubes, winding of each module is optimized by varying parameters such as tensioning of fibers, winding angles and wet-out process. The respective diameters of the modules used for a pole will determine its structural strength. One of the main considerations for any power utility that looks at the economic life of an overhead line is how many years of service composite poles will provide compared to well-known alternatives such as wood, steel or concrete. According to Fecht, accelerated aging tests using methodologies in the ASTM G154 standard offer a default UV test for polymeric materials but do not specify minimum duration of exposure. To meet customer requirements, he says that his firm has conducted extensive accelerated aging tests and results confirm a minimum pole life of 65 years and possibly as long as 125 years. He settles on a figure of 80 years as a reasonable expectation of effective service life, with no scheduled maintenance required over that period. In terms of inspection, utilities have plenty of experience with structures made of materials such as wood and there are long-established test protocols and criteria that dictate if and when replacement is warranted. New users of composite poles therefore have to move through a learning curve on what special procedures will have to be applied to such structures at the time of scheduled line inspections. Composite poles find most application in cases where existing structures are not lasting as long as expected due to attack by wildlife, environmental conditions or pollution Fecht explains that there are typically never any problems that occur below grade on a polyurethane FRP pole since this section is not subject to degradation from UV. Above grade, he recommends that all bolted connections be verified to ensure that recommended loads are not exceeded to avoid laminate damage. Also, slip joints of each module have to be examined to ensure they are tight and that the metal fasteners were properly installed when the pole was first assembled. A simple visual examination ensures that no portion of the slot is visible below the bolt head. Fecht also recommends checking for signs of damage such as cracking or impact on the first one or two meters above ground. Suppliers typically offer a damage assessment schedule that advises users what to do in cases such as minor scratches, where only application of a polyurethane paint is needed. Deep damage, by contrast, may present a structural concern and is best treated by means of special patches or, alternatively, replacement of the affected pole module. Finally, Fecht points out that, as with polymeric insulators, it is also advisable to monitor the hydrophobicity of a composite pole, which ideally should remain the same classification as when it was new, over its entire service life. The STRI hydrophobicity guide serves well for this purpose. The value of maintaining good hydrophobic properties, he states, relates to improved self-cleaning from road salt or other contaminants. Apart from inspection protocols, another question mark for new users of composite poles is how these can best be climbed whenever there is a need for maintenance of line hardware and components. Here, Fecht notes that because composite poles are different to wood, different climbing techniques are advisable and these involve either steps or ladders. For example, he says that Ontario’s largest electric utility requested access steps be inserted into each composite pole installed onto their transmission network. To better respond to such requests in remote areas which cannot be accessed by a bucket, Fecht reports that his firm routinely pre-drills holes at strategic locations starting at about 3 m in height

By Sabrina Locicero   BC Hydro workers atop newly-installed fiberglass pole in Pacific Spirit Park’s Camosun Bog A pole replacement project completed late last year in Vancouver’s Camosun Bog has helped protect the area’s intensively studied ecosystem while also improving service reliability. Using helicopters, BC Hydro collaborated with the British Columbia Transmission Corporation (BCTC) to replace nine aging wooden transmission poles near the Camosun Substation in Pacific Spirit Park with six fibreglass poles. The new poles are longer-lasting, which minimizes maintenance and access requirements as well as environmental impact. Why fibreglass poles? Cedar poles last 40 to 50 years, while fibreglass poles can last up to 120 years. This decreases the amount of maintenance that BCTC and BC Hydro will have to do throughout the lifespan of the poles. They are also extremely flexible. In a heavily treed area such as Camosun Bog, these poles will be able to bend and flex in the event of trees striking the line. Again, this avoids having to replace wooden poles that have snapped from the weight of trees hitting the line. The poles, which were pre-assembled near Camosun Substation, also have a minimal impact on the environment. Unlike wooden poles, fibreglass poles are chemically inert, will not decay and will resist woodpecker damage. Removal & installation by helicopter To reduce the environmental impacts of the project work, the BC Hydro-BCTC team worked with Metro Vancouver Regional Parks, the Camosun Bog Restoration Group and the Pacific Spirit Park Society. They agreed that using a helicopter to remove old poles and install new ones was the best option. This would avoid having to create new access to the bog area. The team also minimized permanent ground disturbance by cutting the old poles above ground level. When the project was complete, 150 plants were installed at various sites to enhance affected habitat and to cover up the temporary walking trails that were made to access the pole sites throughout the bog. Minor design changes were made by the team to mitigate impacts, such as moving the location of a new pole required to hold the distribution termination equipment. Working with the designers in the preconstruction phase allowed BCTC and BC Hydro to avoid disturbing a very wet and ecologically-rich part of the bog. This project is an example of a project team making decisions that involve the community and local interest groups, using new technology, and being environmentally responsible to protect a rare ecosystem. By implementing measures to reduce environmental impacts, the team’s collaboration has helped BC Hydro take an important step towards contributing to its Environmental Impact Goal (EIG), which aims for BC Hydro to have no net incremental environmental impact in the areas of land, water, air, and climate change by 2024 (compared to 2004). Sabrina Locicero is a writer-editor with BC Hydro’s Corporate and Employee Communications group. DOWNLOAD PDF

A modular composite monopole combines structural rigidity, strength and height capability, tower characteristics needed by the broadband and Wi-Fi industries. Composite poles are relatively maintenance-free and environmentally benign. By Kevin C. Coates A medium-sized crane is positioned to hoist a 93-foot RS monopole. The installation did not require a concrete foundation. From the time the crane arrived until the time the pole was guyed into place, about one hour elapsed. Access to widespread, reliable, and affordable broadband Internet service for rural customers is a technical and financial challenge. The cost of providing extensive coverage is always weighed against the ability of service providers to recover their deployment costs through competitive (i.e., affordable) user fees. With governments covering much of the initial infrastructure capital costs, the economics can work so that rural communities have a viable option to purchase high-speed Internet access. Finding ways to lower deployment and maintenance costs only improves the economics. The structure upon which a piece of broadband equipment sits can represent a considerable portion of a system’s network investment. And, once they are in place, these structures need to withstand the daily onslaught of weathering with minimal need for maintenance over time. In other words, the more sustainable and resilient a structure, the more it proves to be cost effective. With the introduction of high-strength, maintenance-free composite poles, broadband providers now have an extremely cost-effective platform upon which to site their equipment. Not only do composite materials drastically reduce the frequency of pole inspections and the need for pole maintenance, but also composite poles are often the lowest-cost and fastest structures to erect for Wi-Fi providers. Those companies that have already chosen to deploy them see these new composite poles as game changers to their bottom lines. From R&D to the field Because of the confluence of advances in material science, some innovative manufacturing methods and some timely marketing, composite poles are now the latest option in the toolbox for delivering cost-effective wireless Internet service. However, not all composite poles are designed or manufactured the same nor are they all well suited for use in broadband infrastructure. Otherwise known as fiber-reinforced polymers (FRPs), composite pole technology was originally conceived and designed to support electric power transmission and distribution lines. Although they are lightweight, FRPs are stronger than steel. Their strength is derived from combining E-glass fibers with various combinations of thermoset resins. Several manufacturers provide electric utilities with composite poles, and each company tightly guards its own proprietary composite formula along with its manufacturing methods. All composite poles are stronger than steel and do not corrode, and their light weight makes them faster and easier to erect. They are fire resistant and impervious to insects. They do not conduct electricity. These new poles have a rated service life of 80 years, and they are also maintenance free. Of particular interest to the broadband community, composite poles do not interfere with transmission signals. One FRP product, made by RS Technologies Inc. of Calgary, Alberta, Canada, is particularly well suited for the broadband arena. Its design allows network operators to easily configure customized poles from standard modules based on the unique conditions of the installation site. Because these monopoles are composed of tapered sections, complete monopoles are shipped with the modules nested one inside another and assembled at a staging area. Because the length of the modules is always less than 37 feet (11.3 meters), they require no transport permits and, as a result, are faster, easier, and less costly to ship. The larger-diameter modules are especially well suited for the tight deflection tolerances required for broadband’s targeted line-of-sight microwave backhaul. If it’s necessary to increase the height of a pole to accommodate new equipment for extending the signal further than originally specified, additional modules can be added to increase overall pole height. RS poles can reach above-ground heights of up to 135 feet (41 meters). Throughout the world, utilities and broadband providers are now beginning to deploy these new poles with greater frequency and with excellent results. The stories of three broadband providers in North America are indicative of the difference composite modular monopoles can make to a system. Strength and durability In December 2008, a brutal storm slammed the northeastern part of North America and blanketed the area with a layer of ice up to 1-1/2 inches thick. Wooden utility poles snapped like toothpicks after heavily laden trees fell onto power lines and poles, and weeks went by before the power grid was completely restored. The most time-consuming, dangerous, miserable and expensive part of grid reconstruction was setting new power poles in frozen soil. This can also apply to any broadband structure that might go down in a winter storm. A December 2008 ice storm snapped wooden poles owned by the Princeton, Mass., Municipal Light Department, but not their dual-use composite poles. The 75- to 80-foot composite poles were used for both electric power delivery and top-mounted broadband antennas. After the storm, only one wireless broadband transceiver was left in operation in Princeton, Mass., and it sat atop one of 24 dual-use RS monopoles that were all undamaged. Princeton Municipal Light Department General Manager Jonathan Fitch explained that the utility uses 75- to 80-foot monopoles so they can support power lines on crossarms at lower levels and reserve the upper reaches of the poles for broadband equipment. He said that in the aftermath of the storm, 150 wood poles were destroyed (out of a total of about 2,900 poles) and one-third of the wires in his utility’s 34-square-mile grid were on the ground. The strength and resilience of composites for supporting sensitive electronics and electric power lines in severe weather conditions were instantly obvious to Fitch. Getting Wi-Fi to the people Two North American rural broadband initiatives worked fast to implement Internet access in the summer of 2009 using RS monopoles as their support structures, one in Vermont and New Hampshire and the other in Nova Scotia. This May 2009 RS composite monopole installation in