EnWin Utilities Using GIS to Improve Hydro Network

EnWin Utilities (EnWin) received an Award of Excellence today from Esri Canada for its adoption of geographic information system (GIS) technology to drive operational efficiency throughout the organisation

Embracing GIS as a key business system, EnWin has transformed the management of its hydro and water network assets by consolidating data from numerous systems into the GIS. This has significantly improved the visibility and quality of data across the utility and enabled them to better understand where to focus maintenance and capital expenditures.

EnWin distributes electricity to 77,600 residential and 8,700 commercial and industrial customers in the City of Windsor. The utility also provides managed services of the City's water system for the Windsor Utilities Commission. Prior to 2012, EnWin encountered challenges in managing their network assets efficiently because infrastructure data was maintained in various systems. To address these challenges, EnWin adopted Esri'sArcGISplatform. They digitized and migrated paper-based CAD drawings and previously georeferenced infrastructure maps into the Esri format. They selected data models to ensure consistency in managing network information.

To ensure data quality, EnWin usesArcGIS for Windows Mobileas well as survey devices to help their surveyors collect high-precision GPS data on field assets under construction. Once collected, the information is sent to GIS users in the office to ensure that the assets are properly integrated into EnWin's network. The solution is also used to verify attribute information on existing assets, keeping the utility's network data up to date.

With ArcGIS, the utility can visualize meter-to-transformer relationships to help improve the quality of their meter data management system. It allows them to determine transformer loading, thus increasing the speed and accuracy of locating overloaded transformers. The utility also implemented Schneider Electric'sArcFMsolution, which enables them to visualize and inspect the state of their networks and quickly generate customer lists for planned outage notices.

"GIS is helping us achieve tremendous efficiencies and improvements throughout our organization," said Colin Hicks, Manager of Geomatics at EnWin Utilities. "The ability to analyze our data spatially has given us a better view of the integrity and performance of our networks. It has also set our company up to expand on the technology, allowing us to make better decisions based on accurate information in support of delivering safe and reliable hydro and water services to the Windsor area."

Source: GISUser

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Taxonomy

• Technology
• GIS & Remote Sensing Technology
• Water Utility