Electric

CECONY continues to develop tools, techniques, and management strategies to improve safety, troubleshoot problems, and increase efficiency. In 2023, Electric Operations’ Distribution Engineering team applied data analytics to pressure and temperature sensor data to assess network transformer health. The team identified 1,055 network transformers that warranted a field evaluation and proactively replaced 158 network transformers that demonstrated signatures of a future failure. These actions further the Company’s efforts on sustaining public and employee safety, as well as grid reliability. The Company collaborated with a transformer manufacturer to develop, test, and adopt a more reliable, oil-free network transformer design. The oil-free network transformer design greatly reduces the likelihood of a fire and release of oil to the environment during failure. The My Inspection Application (MIA) was deployed by the company to streamline data sharing of field inspections with engineers for evaluation. The mobile and desktop app allows users to upload photos and videos relating to underground structures, overhead structures (poles, equipment), unit substation equipment or URD structures. MIA also contains a photo library where users can see images and related data improving the speed with which we can identify and remove safety risks. CECONY also continues to work to reduce manhole events with multiple programs including its industry-recognized vented, latched manholes that reduce the severity of manhole events.

CECONY’s underground networks are surveyed for contact voltage 12 times a year, using mobile detectors. In 2023, we found and eliminated 8,034 cases of contact voltage. Of those, 7,220 cases (90%) were on non-CECONY equipment (streetlights, electric signs, and other structures). We also performed more than 34,394 inspections of our underground structures (manholes, service boxes, and transformer vaults).

O&R’s stray voltage program is completed on a five-year cycle, where 20% of our distribution assets are inspected and tested yearly. The exceptions to this program are streetlights and transmission facilities that are inspected yearly. In 2023, O&R performed 34,198 inspections and 28,121 tests.

Gas

CECONY

CECONY’s strategy for public safety risk mitigation includes the elements of prevention, enhanced detection, and best-in-class response. Many of its initiatives are industry leading and on the cutting edge of technology.

Prevention

CECONY continues to significantly invest in its Gas Infrastructure Replacement or Reduction program to remove small diameter cast iron and unprotected steel gas mains from inventory. CECONY has removed 451 miles of such mains from inventory in the last five years. Along with other enhanced quality measures, the Company requires 100% independent inspections of all plastic joints installed to confirm quality and compliance. Furthermore, CECONY has a robust and proactive damage prevention program that promotes awareness in the contractor community and applies predictive analytics for additional contractor oversight before street work is performed near critical facilities.

Detection

CECONY performs monthly gas leak surveys of its 4,360-mile gas distribution system, far in excess of the traditional annual survey performed in the industry. The frequency of these surveys allows for detection of leaks in the system as they occur, so that repairs can be scheduled in a timely manner. In 2023, the company also implemented a new advanced leak detection program which surveys one-third of our system each year in addition to our monthly gas leak surveys. This program helps with leak detection and with prioritizing the repair of the highest emitting leaks.

Additionally, the company has been installing first of their kind natural gas detectors, which are integrated with the advanced metering infrastructure. These detectors automatically notify the Gas Emergency Response Center of potential public safety emergencies that require immediate attention. We piloted these detectors in 2018 and have installed over 223,000 detectors thus far.

The company plans to install detectors in every remaining gas customer’s building over the next two years. Since 2017 the company’s service line inspection program has also expanded the scope of leak detection on our system through the inspection of service piping from the point of entry of the service to the outlet of the meter(s). This program has also aided in the prevention of leaks by identifying piping that is in poor condition before leaks occur.

Furthermore, CECONY has a comprehensive, multichannel, and multilingual campaign to educate customers and the public at large—an estimated 10 million people in New York City and Westchester County—about gas safety and the urgency of reporting gas leaks. We reach customers primarily through direct mailings, youth outreach efforts, advertising, digital initiatives (such as email campaigns, conEd.com and social media), and community events. We are also continuing our successful media campaign, “Smell Gas, Act Fast,” featuring videos and social media posts that inform customers on what to do if they smell gas. The videos are in English, Spanish, Chinese, and Korean.

Response

In 2023, CECONY responded to gas leaks across the system within 30 minutes, 97% of the time.

Furthermore, our close relationship with the Fire Department of New York and Westchester County Emergency Services has ensured that every event is responded to with the utmost urgency and is mitigated quickly. Additionally, the company completed an isolation valve program in 2022, installing valves as well as implementing a newly developed technology, emergency main stop-off stations (EMSOS), to allow us to quickly isolate over 500 of our most critical customers in the case of an emergency.

In 2023, CECONY responded to gas leaks within 30mins, 97% of the time.

O&R

O&R has continued our focus on enhancing public safety by modernizing our gas delivery system. Through our main replacement program, the company replaces leak-prone pipe with more resilient materials, further improving system safety and reducing fugitive methane emissions. In 2023, more than 22 miles of gas main were replaced.

The company has a comprehensive campaign to educate customers and the public at large about gas safety, safe digging practices and the urgency of reporting gas leaks. We reach customers primarily through direct mailings, advertising, digital initiatives, and community events. By providing education to and direct oversight of those performing excavation work near our gas system, we continued to see good performance relative to third-party excavator damages of our underground system.

Enhanced safety and emergent response to gas related safety calls continues to be a top priority to the company. In 2023, O&R responded to gas leaks and carbon monoxide calls across the system within 30 minutes, more than 88% of the time and within 45 minutes more than 98% of the time. O&R has several initiatives, including a first-of-their-kind natural gas detector program, where the company is installing these devices at the point of entry to the customer premise. These alarms notify the customer via a local alarm as well automatically notify our Gas Emergency Response Center room if there is a gas leak via the AMI network to minimize response time.

O&R conducts several system inspections and leak surveys, including service line inspections to identify if there is corrosion within indoor piping and take necessary remedial action when required. We regularly perform gas leak patrols of our distribution system, proactively repairing leaks in a timely fashion and keeping our end of year open leak count to single digits.

O&R continues to develop its Gas Outage Management System that electronically records and transmits outage information, providing accurate information required to manage outages and providing timely information to all stakeholders, ultimately reducing restoration times. This system replaces manual, time consuming processes and enables improved estimated time to restoration, improves customer safety and reliability of the O&R gas system for all customers, including those in disadvantaged communities.

Steam

CECONY continues to apply its “prevent, detect, and respond” risk mitigation strategy to have a deliberate focus on public safety. Many of these initiatives are industry leading. For the “prevent” element of the strategy, CECONY continues significant investments in its steam system assessment and main inspection programs. The programs apply advanced data analytics to identify areas where specific infrastructure investment is needed. Starting in 2019, CECONY began using the first generation of its current assessment model and since then has inspected approximately 22,800 feet of steam main to date. CECONY also commissioned a full-scale computational dynamic fluid flow model, known as the Kongsberg model. This model simulates the flow of steam and condensate through the piping system using actual field conditions reported from various field measurement devices. This model is the first of its kind in the industry and can alert our Engineering and Operations teams to potential conditions that might increase the risk of a water hammer. The model will continue to be validated with field measurement devices as it is gradually put into meaningful operations and planning use. Besides these preventive efforts, CECONY also has a robust monthly customer seminar program which educates our customers on how to use our steam service properly and safely in their buildings.

In 2023, CECONY responded to reports of vapor conditions across the system within 45 minutes, 91.02% of the time. Steam Operations has consistently met this critical response time goal.

CECONY’s “detect” risk mitigation strategy includes performing weekly visual surveys of its 105-mile steam distribution system. CECONY also developed and is enhancing our Remote Monitoring System (RMS). The sensors associated with the RMS have the capability to detect defective steam traps, and excessive water levels within our RMS-equipped steam manholes, as well as the performance of drainage pumps. The RMS automatically notifies our Steam Troubleshoot Dispatch Center of operating conditions that need prompt attention to prevent public safety emergencies. In 2023, we successfully conducted field tests on the remote terminal units for the RMS, and in 2024 will focus our research and development efforts on producing robust ancillary instrumentation.

CECONY’s “respond” risk mitigation strategy includes rapid response, repair, and partnership with external agencies.

In 2023, CECONY responded to reports of vapor conditions across the system within 45 minutes, 91.02% of the time. Steam Operations has consistently met this critical response time goal.

An important element of our respond risk mitigation strategy is maintaining a close relationship between CECONY and many of the first responders and government agencies, including the New York City Fire Department and Office of Emergency Management. Overall, CECONY conducted twelve training sessions for public and emergency officials on the proper response to steam incidents. CECONY also met with various agencies throughout the year to familiarize them with the steam system, hazard recognition methods, and the Company’s internal emergency response procedures. We also conduct drills to test our emergency response process/procedure for steam safety incidents as well as potential oil spill events.

Research & Development: Safety

• Tested and finalized the product concept for an one-way distribution cable splicing machine that will improve safety by reducing worker time in underground electrical enclosed spaces and will enhance reliability by decreasing variation in the quality of machine-made splices. Further prototype testing will continue in 2024.
• Demonstrated successful completion of milestones to the Endcap Splicing Machine, which enables live cable endcapping to be conducted from above the electrical underground structure through remote control. This machine will reduce the risk of exposure to our workforce and provide a more consistent endcap splice.
• Deployed an electronic job briefing application for field testing to help reduce the probability of high hazard injuries and promote completion of comprehensive job briefings. The application enhances reviewing capability, approval tracking, and is designed to be integrated with other company systems.
• Conducted the first U.S. field demonstration of a new natural gas detector that can detect gas at 10% of the lower explosive limit of methane and send an alarm to the company’s Advanced Metering Infrastructure network.

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