A Pioneering Approach To Meet The Challenge Of PR09 And AMP5
Press Release 18th September 2009
Having developed the Common Framework for Capital Maintenance Planning and assisted many companies in implementing best practice approaches for the PR09 price review, Tynemarch have now produced an integrated software environment, PIONEER, in which to run an advanced suite of models. The models cover both above and below ground assets (non-infrastructure and infrastructure) using a variety of techniques – e.g. mathematical, statistical, FMECA, dependency and fault trees – in a single application.
The sewerage modelling is particularly innovative making use of:
Defect data obtained from CCTV surveys
Sewer attribute such as estimated age, material, depth, hydraulic characteristics, connectivity, type, manhole locations
Digital terrain data: overland flow distance to assess pollution and flooding risk
Historical maps to estimate age of sewers where unknown
Environmental data such as soil type, depth, surface type
Socio-economic data including housing type, income, occupancy
Hydraulic model outputs
For water supply systems the system is linked to MISER to model the consequences for customers of asset failure. MISER is another software application from the Tynemarch stable and is the most widely used application in the UK helping companies to optimise water resource and supply systems - from long term water resources planning to sub-daily pump scheduling.
The first customer for PIONEER is United Utilities. The Ofwat Reporter judged UU as “best in class”1 for implementing the Common Framework for PR09. PIONEER is installed on the United Utilities intranet and takes data from all relevant corporate databases through a data hub.
The recent Draft Determination by Ofwat is a challenge for most companies to reduce customer bills whilst maintaining existing or enhanced levels service to customers and the environment. The application of state-of-the-art modelling and optimisation will be essential for ensuring the most cost-effective interventions are selected for investment.
The on-going assessment under the Ofwat Capital Incentive Scheme will require a regular update to the strategic investment programme to allow adjustments to be made to avoid penalties at the end of the AMP5 period. PIONEER provides a means of making asset management planning a routine business-as-usual activity and identifying the optimal strategy to meet the challenge of the CIS.
1 Deadman, C., (2009) Power and Water Summit, 30-31st March, Abu Dhabi, UAE
