American Gas - June 2011 - (Page 19)

tech talk technology updates & advances On the Meter Advanced metering infrastructure’s data-tracking feature exonerates a utility after a recent incident. The unprecedenTed amount of information and functionality provided to utilities by advanced metering infrastructure (Ami) has been a topic of discussion in the natural gas industry for the past several years. system integrity and safety are two areas in which this data can help utilities optimize their operations. In 2009, Atlanta Gas Light Co. began taking advantage of these capabilities when it started deploying the latest-technology gas modules with the goal of improving operational efficiencies. Within months of installation of the first of these gas modules, Atlanta Gas Light recognized an additional benefit of this new technology: The gas modules were useful in providing an additional source of data to assist the investigative process after a major incident. On April 15, 2010, at approximately 4 p.m., an explosion occurred at a home in Calhoun, Ga., 65 miles north of Atlanta. The force of the blast blew out windows within a quartermile radius and could be felt up to two miles away. Fortunately, no personal injuries were Photos courtesy of AtlAntA GAs liGht reported, but eight neighboring homes were destroyed and nearly 60 other homes were damaged. The Georgia Insurance and Safety Fire Commission estimated insured losses from the event in excess of $6 million. AGL Resources Inc., the parent company of Atlanta Gas Light, employs four certified fire and explosion investigators, who responded immediately to assist state and local authorities with the investigation. In addition to the more than 100 neighborhood residents and dozens of police and fire officials (including the Georgia Insurance and Safety Fire Commissioner himself, who was then a leading gubernatorial candidate), many members of the Atlanta and Chattanooga, Tenn., media arrived on the scene and began speculating about the source of the natural gas that fueled the explosion. Atlanta Gas Light’s investigators recognized the importance of the task at hand. “When our team arrived on-site, we knew we had to determine whether a leak had occurred on our system. We had a massive scene to process, but we wanted to work efficiently,” says Bryony Hodges, senior litigation counsel at AGL Resources. “We were determined to preserve the scene for a thorough scientific investigation into the origin and cause of the explosion while giving our regulators, local authorities and the affected community as much information as possible.” The key question to be answered was the source of the natural gas. An Atlanta Gas Light first responder discovered in the blast debris—39 feet from its original location on the side of the home—the gas meter with the AMI gas module still intact. The meter’s location was documented, and the meter was preserved and logged into evidence by Atlanta Gas Light’s investigators. Five days later, representatives of Atlanta Gas Light, the Calhoun Fire Department, the State Fire Marshal’s office, the Georgia Public Service Commission, various insurance companies, and numerous origin and cause experts JANET PENZ is product line manager, gas endpoints for Itron. She is responsible for the marketing and product development of gas endpoints and has been with Itron for 14 years. AmericAn GAs june 2011 19

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of American Gas - June 2011

American Gas - June 2011
Contents
President’s Message
In the News
To Be the Best
Tech Talk
Ever Vigilant
Listing of Exhibitors in Alphabetical Order
AGA Operations Conference Exhibit Hall Floor Plan
Listing of Exhibitors by Booth Number
In the News
Marketplace
Places to Be
Jobline
Advertisers’ Index
Facts on Gas

American Gas - June 2011