Texas Utilities Research Articles

Floodproofing at New Braunfels Utilities

Key TakeawaysA Texas utility planning to double its surface water treatment plant (SWTP) capacity weighed the most cost‐effective path to achieving flood resilience for its critical assets.Adopting an asset‐by‐asset approach, the utility applied wet and dry floodproofing techniques to the proposed assets depending on resilience needs and priorities.Highlights of the SWTP project's success included bringing a flood‐resilience mindset to the proceedings, centering safety goals, and discussing permitting from the outset.

Tracking the post-disaster evolution of water infrastructure resilience: A study of the 2021 Texas winter storm

In February 2021, severe winter weather in Texas caused widespread electrical blackouts, water outages, and boil water notices. Water systems faced extensive challenges due to cascading failures across multiple interdependent infrastructure systems. Water utilities have since made considerable progress in improving resilience to extreme events, but ongoing challenges remain. Through a qualitative analysis of semi-structured interviews with 20 large water utilities in Texas, this study tracks the evolution of water infrastructure resilience across three phases: the storm and immediate aftermath, the subsequent one-year period, and the “new normal” in the post-disaster environment. We consider five dimensions of resilience—economic, environmental, governance, infrastructure, and social—to identify where solutions have been implemented and where barriers remain. This study contributes to efforts throughout the United States to build more robust water systems by capturing lessons learned from Winter Storm Uri and providing recommendations to improve hazard preparedness, resilience, and public health.

Satellite Data Complement Traditional Leak Detection and Repair Programs

Through its approach to reducing real water losses, a small Texas utility demonstrates how it uses technology, innovation, and smart planning to benefit itself and its customers.

The Taylor Site (41RK36) and 41RK31 on Martin Creek in Rusk County, Texas

In the early 1970s, the Texas Archeological Survey at The University of Texas (UT) at Austin completed archaeological investigations in advance of the construction of Martin Lake by Texas Utilities Services, Inc. on Martin Creek in the Sabine River basin (Figure 1). Martin Creek is a northward-flowing tributary of the Sabine River. These investigations included an archaeological survey with limited test excavations (McDonald 1972), and then more extensive excavations at five ancestral Caddo sites (Clark and Ivey 1974), most particularly the Musgano site (41RK19) (Figure 2) (Clark and Ivey 1974; Perttula 2014), a Middle Caddo period (ca. A.D. 1200-1400) settlement.

Distribution feeder‐level day‐ahead peak load forecasting methods and comparative study

Day-ahead peak load forecasting is a crucial factor for the electrical utility for daily power planning and distribution. A comparative study of the peak load forecasting at distribution feeder-level circuits with high penetration level of PV generation are investigated. First, two years of private load data from the local utility and two years of public load data from Texas utility are analysed. The correlation analysis is applied to peak load and its driver factors. Next, Bayesian additive regression trees (BART) is employed to do peak load forecasting. Since the BART method takes an amount of time to generate the forecasting, the composite kernel methods based on Gaussian process regression (CKGPR) are designed. Then these methods are compared with multiple linear regression method and the support vector regression method based on the residential area and the business area load data. Thorough comparison results are presented based on five forecasting measurements. The BART has the best forecasting accuracy among all the indices, and the CKGPR also has counterpart forecasting results but with less computation time. Meanwhile, the forecasting accuracy difference between two areas is analysed. Lastly, influential driver factors are summarised.

Framing of customer engagement opportunities and renewable energy integration by electric utility representatives

Distributed and renewable energy technologies are changing the electricity sector and altering traditional relationships between electric utilities and their customers. This analysis involving focus groups with fourteen electric utilities in seven U.S. states (California, Illinois, Massachusetts, Minnesota, New York, Texas, and Vermont) demonstrates divergence in framing among utility representatives in terms of how they characterize customer engagement opportunities and renewable energy integration. This research is among the first qualitative studies comparing utility representatives’ discourse across the United States. Utilities in Texas and Vermont are particularly divergent especially in their framing of customer engagement opportunities during this time of energy transition.

Evaluating Water Utilities: The Texas Water Conservation Scorecard

A report scoring texas utilities on their water conservation efforts sets a precedent for gauging conservation progress in other states.

Impact of Repeat Overweight Truck Traffic on Buried Utility Facilities

Increasing overweight truck traffic, as evident by a rapid increase of permits issued for such traffic in Texas, tends to accelerate the deterioration of pavement structural integrity. However, it is less known to what degree buried utility facilities along and across the right-of-way are affected by these overweight loads, especially if these facilities are aged or placed under an exception to the Texas Utility Accommodation Rules (UAR). In this study, researchers evaluated the damage potential of buried pipe subjected to repeat overweight traffic loads. Based on a review of technical design and engineering requirements for utility accommodation in Texas, a large-scale laboratory test was conducted to investigate fatigue behavior of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and concrete pipe. The result of both static and fatigue load tests indicated that pipe deformation in terms of vertical diameter reduction was less than 5% of pipe diameter, the maximum allowable value. However, fatigue damage was observed for the concrete pipe even though the deformation level was very minimal. A sensitivity analysis based on the finite-element method was conducted to validate the findings of the laboratory test. The study concludes that the current UAR appear adequate with respect to the likelihood of fatigue damage to buried pipes attributable to repeat overweight loads.

An annual quasidifference approach to water price elasticity

The preferred price specification for retail water demand estimation has not been fully settled by prior literature. Empirical consistency of price indices is necessary to enable testing of competing specifications. Available methods of unbiasing the price index are summarized here. Using original rate information from several hundred Texas utilities, new indices of marginal and average price change are constructed. Marginal water price change is shown to explain consumption variation better than average water price change, based on standard information criteria. Annual change in quantity consumed per month is estimated with differences in climate variables and the new quasidifference marginal price index. As expected, the annual price elasticity of demand is found to vary with daily high and low temperatures and the frequency of precipitation.

Cultural Resources Survey of Fairfield Lake State Park, Freestone County, Texas

Fairfield Lake State Park occupies 1,460 acres in Freestone County, approximately five miles northeast of Fairfield, Texas. The land was acquired for lease by Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) from Texas Utilities in the 1970s. Under provisions of the Texas Antiquities Code, TPWD is responsible for managing any possible cultural resources on park land. In an effort to begin building an inventory of sites, a cultural resource survey of the park was conducted by Stephen F. Austin State University (SFA) in 1996 under Texas Antiquities Permit No. 1698, granted to Dr. James E. Corbin. The SFA crew that performed the 1996 fieldwork recorded or revisited a total of 34 sites in the park’s 1,460 acres. However, due to unforeseen circumstances, this initial assessment was never completed; all of the fieldwork was performed, but analysis, curation, and the completion of the report went unfinished. In 2008, TPWD contracted the Center for Archaeological Studies at Texas State University-San Marcos (CAS) to complete the project. Working under contract with TPWD and the reactivated Permit No. 1698, CAS revisited and reassessed each of the 34 sites, recorded an additional site, completed the report, and finalized the analysis and curation of all documents and artifacts recovered in 1996 and 2008. Fieldwork was performed in June of 2008 by Gregory J. LaBudde, Project Archaeologist, David M. Yelacic, CAS Archaeologist, and Jon C. Lohse, who served as the Principal Investigator for the CAS work.

Southwest Water Co.

AbstractWater Utilities (MIC: 7.2 SIC: 4941 NAIC: 221310)Southwest Water provides a range of services including water production, treatment and distribution; wastewater collection and treatment; utility operations and maintenance services; and utility infrastructure construction. Co. owns regulated public utilities and also serves cities, utility districts and private companies under contract. At Dec 31 2006, Co. served more than 2.0 million customers. Within its Utility Group, Co. owns and manages operations of rate‐regulated public water and wastewater utilities in Alabama, California, Mississippi, New Mexico, Oklahoma and Texas, in which it serves water or provides wastewater services to residential, commercial and public authority customers.

Southwest Water Co.

AbstractWater Utilities (MIC: 7.2 SIC: 4941 NAIC: 221310)Southwest Water provides a range of services including water production, treatment and distribution; wastewater collection and treatment; utility operations and maintenance services; and utility infrastructure construction. Co. owns regulated public utilities and also serves cities, utility districts and private companies under contract. At Dec 31 2006, Co. served more than 2.0 million customers. Within its Utility Group, Co. owns and manages operations of rate‐regulated public water and wastewater utilities in Alabama, California, Mississippi, New Mexico, Oklahoma and Texas, in which it serves water or provides wastewater services to residential, commercial and public authority customers.

Southwest Water Co.

AbstractWater Utilities (MIC: 7.2 SIC: 4941 NAIC: 221310) Southwest Water provides a range of services including water production, treatment and distribution; wastewater collection and treatment; utility billing and collection; utility infrastructure construction management; and public works services. Co. owns regulated public utilities and also serves cities, utility districts and private companies under contract. At Dec 31 2005, Co. provided services to more than 2.0 million people. Within its Utility Group, Co. owns and manages the operations of rate‐regulated public water and wastewater utilities in California, New Mexico, Oklahoma and Texas, under which it sells water to residential and commercial customers. Co. also operates a Services Group.

Southwest Water Co.

Mergent's Dividend AchieversVolume 3, Issue 2 p. 257-257 U.S. Company Reports Southwest Water Co.† First published: 20 April 2006 https://doi.org/10.1002/div.4065 † Contact: : Anton C. Garnier — Chmn., Pres., C.E.O. Address: : One Wilshire Building, 624 South Grand Avenue, Suite 2900, Los Angeles, CA 90017-3782 Web Site: : www.swwc.com AboutPDF ToolsRequest permissionExport citationAdd to favoritesTrack citation ShareShare Give accessShare full text accessShare full-text accessPlease review our Terms and Conditions of Use and check box below to share full-text version of article.I have read and accept the Wiley Online Library Terms and Conditions of UseShareable LinkUse the link below to share a full-text version of this article with your friends and colleagues. Learn more.Copy URL Share a linkShare onFacebookTwitterLinked InRedditWechat Abstract Water Utilities (MIC: 7.2 SIC: 4941 NAIC: 221310) Southwest Water provides a range of services including water production, treatment and distribution; wastewater collection and treatment; utility billing and collection; utility infrastructure construction management; and public works services. Co. owns regulated public utilities and also serves cities, utility districts and private companies under contract. At Dec 31 2005, Co. provided services to more than 2.0 million people. Within its Utility Group, Co. owns and manages the operations of rate-regulated public water and wastewater utilities in California, New Mexico, Oklahoma and Texas, under which it sells water to residential and commercial customers. Co. also operates a Services Group. Volume3, Issue2Spring 2006Pages 257-257 RelatedInformation

Southwest Water Co.

Mergent's Dividend AchieversVolume 3, Issue 3 p. 256-256 U.S. Company Reports Southwest Water Co.† First published: 30 June 2006 https://doi.org/10.1002/div.4482 † Contact: : Anton C. Garnier — Chmn., Pres., C.E.O. Address: : One Wilshire Building, 624 South Grand Avenue, Suite 2900, Los Angeles, CA 90017-3782 Web Site: : www.swwc.com AboutPDF ToolsRequest permissionExport citationAdd to favoritesTrack citation ShareShare Give accessShare full text accessShare full-text accessPlease review our Terms and Conditions of Use and check box below to share full-text version of article.I have read and accept the Wiley Online Library Terms and Conditions of UseShareable LinkUse the link below to share a full-text version of this article with your friends and colleagues. Learn more.Copy URL Share a linkShare onFacebookTwitterLinked InRedditWechat Abstract Water Utilities (MIC: 7.2 SIC: 4941 NAIC: 221310) Southwest Water provides a range of services including water production, treatment and distribution; wastewater collection and treatment; utility billing and collection; utility infrastructure construction management; and public works services. Co. owns regulated public utilities and also serves cities, utility districts and private companies under contract. At Dec 31 2005, Co. provided services to more than 2.0 million people. Within its Utility Group, Co. owns and manages the operations of rate-regulated public water and wastewater utilities in California, New Mexico, Oklahoma and Texas, under which it sells water to residential and commercial customers. Co. also operates a Services Group. Volume3, Issue3Summer 2006Pages 256-256 RelatedInformation

WATER RE‐USE ‐ CAPTURING A WASTE RESOURCE

ABSTRACTThe east and south‐east of England has the lowest rainfall in the UK, water resources are limited and under pressure through increased demand and population growth. In the late 1990’s AW Innovation (the AW R&D group) developed a process that could produce high purity water from sewage effluent using membrane technology. In late 1999 Texas Utilities (TXU) signed a contract with Alpheus Environmental for the supply of high purity water for Peterborough Power Station. The novel treatment plant was built in 1999 ‐ 2000 and opened in July 2000 by the Mayor of Peterborough. This paper is a review of the plant design, the technology used for the treatment process and a summary of the first four years of operation.Changing from potable water to high purity water produced from sewage effluent has brought significant benefits for the power station resulting in higher purity steam generation while reducing chemical, power and effluent discharge costs. In addition Anglian Water is now saving 1,000 m3/day of potable water.

BIO-GAS CONVERSION TO ELECTRICITY ALLOWS TWO MAJOR WASTEWATER UTILITIES IN TEXAS TO MEET STATE MANDATED ENERGY MEASURES USING D/B/O APPROACH

BIO-GAS CONVERSION TO ELECTRICITY ALLOWS TWO MAJOR WASTEWATER UTILITIES IN TEXAS TO MEET STATE MANDATED ENERGY MEASURES USING D/B/O APPROACHNew legislation in Texas is driving utilities in the state to reassess their wastewater treatment plant operations in an effort to reduce energy consumption. This paper highlights the efforts of two Texas utilities – Dallas Water Utility (DWU) and San Antonio Water System (SAWS) – to meet energy reduction goals through the conversion of bio-gas to electricity. Facility Backgrounds The...Author(s)Randy RogersDonna LongRobert ReevesSourceProceedings of the Water Environment FederationSubjectSession 5: Biosolids ManagementDocument typeConference PaperPublisherWater Environment FederationPrint publication date Jan, 2004ISSN1938-6478SICI1938-6478(20040101)2004:16L.385;1-DOI10.2175/193864704784147377Volume / Issue2004 / 16Content sourceWEFTECFirst / last page(s)385 - 398Copyright2004Word count306

Consumer demand for ‘green power’ and energy efficiency

This article examines reported willingness to pay for electric utility investments in renewable energy and energy efficiency resources using the results of Deliberative Polls ® conducted by electric utilities in Texas. 1 1 A trademark for Deliberative Polls has been registered by Prof. James Fishkin of the University of Texas. Age, education, and salary tend to affect reported willingness to pay for utility investments in these resources. Intensive exposure to information about energy resource issues led to an increase in the number of respondents interested in paying a modest premium to support investments in both renewable energy resources and energy efficiency. However, average reported premiums actually declined following the Polls, as very high outlier responses moved to more reasonable values following the Polls. These results support the contention that informed dialogue about energy alternatives will result in broader interest in providing a modest level of support for these resources.

Investigation of fatigue-induced socket-welded joint failures for small-bore piping used in power plants

Nuclear power plants typically experience two or three high-cycle fatigue failures of stainless steel socketwelded connections in small bore piping during each plant-year of operation. This paper discusses fatigue-induced failure in socket-welded joints and the strategy Texas Utilities Electric Company (TU Electric) has implemented in response to these failures. High-cycle fatigue is invisible to proven commercial nondestructive evaluation (NDE) methods during crack initiation and the initial phases of crack growth. Under a constant applied stress, cracks grow at accelerating rates, which means cracks extend from a detectable size to a through-wall crack in a relatively short time. When fatigue cracks grow large enough to be visible to NDE, it is likely that the component is near the end of its useful life.

Effect of product mix and technology on responsibility accounting, account proliferation and product unbundling in the Texas utility industry

This study investigates how heterogeneity of product mix and production technology affects the use of responsibility accounting practices, the “unbundling” of products for cost management purposes, and the practice of increasing the number of expense accounts to create homogeneous cost pools. To test these relation‐ships, data were gathered from 31 Texas electric utilities. Analyses find that the more heterogeneous the products offered and the more diverse the production technologies employed, the greater the degree of product unbundling (subdividing products for the purposes of collecting and reporting costs), the more cost centers, and the greater the number of expense accounts.