About the RTM
The U.S. Trade and Development Agency is hosting the China Live Power Line Maintenance Training Program October 15-28, 2017 that will bring delegates from the China Southern Grid (CSG), the National Energy Administration (NEA) and Inner Mongolia Power Group (IMPG) to the United States to receive training and learn more about the equipment and best practices used in live wire maintenance and repair of power lines. The delegation will travel to Washington, D.C.; Trenton, GA; St. Joseph, MO, Watertown, SD and Minneapolis, MN to meet with U.S. government regulators, standards organizations, utilities and U.S. companies providing equipment to support live wire maintenance and repair. Delegates will receive training at the Southeast Lineman Training Center in Trenton, GA.
A half-day Business Roundtable will be held on October 16, 2017 with the Chinese delegation in Washington, D.C. To register, please click here.
Background Information
China is the world's largest power generator. China's installed electricity generating capacity was an estimated 1,260 gigawatts (GW) at the beginning of 2014 - an increase of nearly 90 GW from the previous year and almost double the 2006 capacity of 630 GW. The U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) projects installed capacity will reach 2,265 GW by 2040. All utilities in China currently shut down the particular segment of the grid undergoing maintenance, leading to outages in the areas being served. In the U.S., live line maintenance is a common industry practice, and in addition to improving service, has also been credited with increasing utilities' operational efficiency and boosting overall business productivity. In addition, line worker safetly has been vastly improved, as maintenance is now conducted under the assumption that all lines are live, and the accident rate has declined as a result.
Two Chinese government companies, China Southern Power Grid Company (CSG) and State Grid Corporation of China (SGCC), operate the nation's seven power grids. CSG is introducing live line mainentance within its territory, beginning with major cities such as Guangzhou and Shenzhen. SGCC has announced investments of over $660 million over the next three years for upgrades to its grid infrastructure, including efforts to enhance its capabilities to conduct mainentance efficiently. SGCC's plan specifically outlined an action plan to implement a live line mainentance program, first in nine major cities - Beijing, Shanghai, Tianjin, Nanjing, Suzhou, Hangzhou, Ningbo, Qingdao and Xiamen. These cities are to serve as "pilots," and SGCC hopes to ultimately broaden live live mainentance to its entire territory.
China's National Energy Administration is currently developing regulations and safety standards for live line maintenance, therefore, the delegates representing NEA will focus on issues and topics regarding the U.S. regulatory framework as well as maintaining resiliency and reliability of the grid.
Opportunities for U.S. Firms
The U.S. is a leader in the tools and equipment that are required for live wire maintenance and repair. If China adopts live line maintenance and repair regulations similar to the U.S., this will lead to more stringent safety measures and a demand for high quality products, creating opportunities for U.S. companies. The U.S. has key regulatory bodies, standards and training programs in place to improve and protect line workers performing this work. In order for the Chinese utilities to expand their ability to perform live line work, the procedures, systems, safety standards and regulations must be established. Large numbers of Chinese line workers will need training in technical and safety procedures, equipment and best practices, offering additional opportunities for U.S. companies providing these services.
About USTDA
The U.S. Trade and Development Agency helps companies create U.S. jobs through the export of U.S. goods and services for priority development projects in emerging economies. USTDA links U.S. businesses to export opportunities by funding project preparation and partnership building activities that develop sustainable infrastructure and foster economic growth in partner countries.
U.S. Trade and Development Agency
1000 Wilson Boulevard, Suite 1500
Arlington, VA 22209-3901, USA
Phone: 703-875-4357 Fax: 703-875-4009
www.ustda.gov