Dec. 20, 2008 — The V.I. Water and Power Authority is reducing electrical line loss, Executive Director Hugo Hodge Jr. told the WAPA Governing Board Friday at their regular monthly meeting. The line loss is the amount of power generated, but not metered, whether due to equipment failure, the physics of the lines or consumer theft of services.
"On the electrical side, line loss is currently 6.65 (percent) versus 8.89 last year during the same period," Hodge said. "That drop is huge and as we continue to work, we will improve more, though it will plateau at some point."
"What is behind this improvement?" board member Noel Loftus asked.
"A lot is on the transformer side," Hodge said. Clinton Hedrington, WAPA director of Transmission and Distribution explained that, traditionally, WAPA used transformers of a size to handle the maximum potential load, making them less likely to fail from overloading, but less efficient. By sizing them based upon the statistically likely maximum daily load instead of the maximum possible load, they can use transformers better suited to the actual load, increasing efficiency.
All of the improvement is in the St. Thomas-St. John district, according to the detailed operations data provided to the board. For the year to date, St. Thomas went from a line loss of 7.33 percent over the same period last year, down to 2.79 percent. St. Croix went from 11.94 percent to 12.46 percent.
St. Croix's individual line loss was not discussed at the meeting. Hodge has said previously a paucity of substations on St. Croix contributes to line loss.
The board voted to approve spending a supplemental $52,000 to overhaul one of its gas turbines. The original contract was for $340,625, but three events delayed the project: Hurricane Omar; parts that were ordered were sent to Jamaica, then to Barbados, rather than directly to St. Croix, and coordination with work on St. Croix's waste heat recovery boiler. The new total is $392,518.
High gas prices ate up WAPA's vehicle fuel budget, so the board voted to allow funds for materials and supplies to be diverted to making up the deficit. Vehicle fuel costs for both the electrical and water sides of the operation combined are projected to be $691,205, while only $342,154 was budgeted, leaving a shortfall of $349,051.
Loftus asked about the timetable for completion of the St. Croix waste heat recovery boiler, a measure that will save large amounts of fuel. Completion was expected by the end of the year.
"It looks like late first quarter of 2009," Hodge said. Pressed for details, he said, "I plan to discuss it in closed session as a legal matter."
All votes were unanimous. Present were Loftus, Juanita Young, Gerald Groner, Planning and Natural Resources Commissioner Robert Mathes, and Donald Francois. Absent were Cheryl Boynes-Jackson, Brenda Benjamin, Parks and Recreation Commissioner St. Claire Williams and Division of Personnel Director Kenneth Hermon Jr.
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