April 18, 2023 Sent via email
Re:
Patrick Wruck Commission Secretary
Commission.Secretary@bcuc.com bcuc.com
British Columbia Power and Hydro Authority – Complaint filed by M.L.Y. British Columbia Utilities Commission Decision
Suite 410, 900 Howe Street Vancouver, BC Canada V6Z 2N3 P: 604.660.4700 TF: 1.800.663.1385 F: 604.660.1102
Letter L-16-23
Dear , The British Columbia Utilities Commission (BCUC) writes regarding your complaint, submitted on August 30, 2022, concerning low voltage incidents experienced at your premises and the subsequent impact of such incidents. Additionally, you submitted a third-party report you commissioned to investigate the origins of the power quality issues being experienced at your premises. Regarding the power quality being received at your premises you stated that “[d]uring the next four days we recorded voltages as low as 103.6V. Over half the time, the voltage was below 110V, and for a significant period, it was even below the 106V minimum allowed by Hydro”. Further, you expressed concerns over the circuit providing service for your premises supporting a nearby circuit when low voltage events take place further impacting the voltage being received (Complaint).
When the BCUC reviews complaints, it uses the criteria of whether the utility reasonably responded to the customer’s concern(s) and whether the utility followed its approved Tariff and terms and conditions and the Utilities Commission Act (UCA). As an administrative tribunal, the BCUC follows its own process for a number of procedures, including complaints. The BCUC is not a mediator of disputes; rather, it is an independent regulatory agency that operates under and administers the UCA and can order a public utility to take action to adhere with its Tariff.
Based on our review of your Complaint and related correspondence provided in this matter, the BCUC is satisfied that BC Hydro reasonably responded to your concerns and acted in accordance with its Electric Tariff (Tariff) and the UCA.
Review Process In reviewing BC Hydro’s responses, under the BCUC Customer Complaints Guide 1 , the BCUC has, amongst other things, referred to BC Hydro’s approved Tariff which contains the terms and conditions of service between BC Hydro and its customers to ensure BC Hydro’s actions were in accordance with the approved Tariff.
The current version of BC Hydro’s Tariff was approved by G-47-22 (Interim), which came into effect March 8, 2022. BC Hydro’s Tariff is set through a formal BCUC proceeding. In the Tariff, rates for each class or type of customer (residential, commercial, industrial) and terms and conditions are designed through a public consultation process to cover the cost of supplying customers in that class.
1 BCUC Customer Complaints Guide File 013564 | British Columbia Power and Hydro Authority – Complaint filed by M.L.Y. – BCUC Decision
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Letter L-11-23
Complaint On August 30, 2022, the BCUC received your initial complaint correspondence regarding BC Hydro’s power quality at your premises. Within your correspondence you stated that you have been experiencing low voltage incidents and that incidents impeded your ability to use your solar power and to transmit that power to “the grid”. Regarding the timeline of events that led up to your complaint, you stated:
… we had an extended period of low voltage during the first period of high summer temperatures (June 26 and 27). We monitored voltage near the Hydro meter and in the house with identical digital multimeters and detected voltages as low as 109.3V.
Subsequently, we acquired a digital data logger, with a calibration certificate, which our electrician installed just our side of the meter. Shortly after we set up the meter (July 26), we recorded the onset of a low voltage event. There were no nearby power outages at that time, or subsequently, which could have explained or “permitted” the event. During the next four days we recorded voltages as low as 103.6V. Over half the time, the voltage was below 110V, and for a significant period, it was even below the 106V minimum allowed by Hydro for brief, exceptional events.
Further, you submitted a third-party report that provided a review of the origins of the power quality issues being experienced at your premises. The report indicates that hot temperatures and an increase in air conditioning loads are likely contributing to the low voltage problems you are experiencing.
Within correspondence submitted on October 3, 2022 you stated concerns with intermittent poor voltage performance with the most recent incident lasting for 18 days.
Between October 14, 2022 and November 25, 2022, you submitted further correspondence to the BCUC regarding your complaint.
On September 29, 2022 after a request from the BCUC, BC Hydro responded to the initial concerns by confirming that periods of lower voltage do occur when your circuit is used to supply power to neighbouring circuit during a power “event”.
Further, BC Hydro stated, “[M.L.Y.]’s premises…occasionally is used to supply some power to adjacent circuit… Normally the switch is open, no power flows, and the voltage performance is good…While BC Hydro acknowledges that this is not an ideal situation…operators are doing what they must in real time during system events to keep as many people energized as possible, thus the lower voltage level is acceptable as a contingency operating state”.
Complainant’s position Within your Complaint you stated concerns with BC Hydro’s power quality being received at your property. You submitted your concerns by offering a timeline of events and noted power quality during the timeline, offered a third-party review of your power quality as well as a requested resolution involving BC Hydro updating its infrastructure. Within your Complaint you stated that you had installed a “digital data logger, with a calibration certificate” that recorded a “low voltage event”. Further, you question the power supply requirements of BC Hydro for your premises.
File 013564 | British Columbia Power and Hydro Authority – Complaint filed by M.L.Y. – BCUC Decision
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Letter L-11-23
BC Hydro Tariff In reviewing such matters, the Panel refers to both the UCA and the BC Hydro Tariff, which contains the terms and conditions of service to its customers. Regarding energy supply, the BCUC notes that section 9.5 of the Tariff states that BC Hydro will endeavour to provide a regular and uninterrupted supply of electricity but does not guarantee the maintenance of unvaried frequency or voltage and will not be responsible or liable for any loss, injury, damage, or expense caused by or resulting from any interruption, termination, failure, or defect in the provision of electricity.
Further, the BCUC notes that voltage limits are not governed by BC Hydro’s Tariff and are considered best practices as issued by the Canadian Standards Association (CSA), C235-83.
BC Hydro’s position BC Hydro responded to your Complaint by confirming that periods of lower voltage do occur and stating that your premises is located at the end of circuit “MLN 25F33” which occasionally is used to supply some power to an adjacent circuit during high demand periods. At the same time, BC Hydro asserted that voltage issues are not caused by cables and transformer(s) but what is deemed as system events such as extreme weather events.
BC Hydro stated it plans to enhance the infrastructure near your premises and offered recommendations that may assist with your concerns in the short-term. This included a recommendation for your premises, stating that the long cable connecting your meter base to your home accounts for “nearly 30% of the voltage drop”, and that you may wish to install an autotransformer to tap up the voltage. Regarding your equipment, specifically your Tesla Powerwall, BC Hydro suggested changing the settings to close in at 106V together with a programed time delay.
Regarding a long-term solution, BC Hydro submitted its plan to address the heavy loading conditions and voltage on MLN and MLE feeders by building a new feeder and to also install a voltage regulation device. This project has an anticipated completion date for March 2024.
Determination The Panel reviewed the correspondence provided within your Complaint noting your concerns with the power quality being provided to your premises by BC Hydro, along with the applicable terms and conditions of BC Hydro’s Tariff. The information we reviewed included your submissions, the data you provided from the logger, and the information provided by BC Hydro which was also provided to yourself. The Panel accepts BC Hydro’s explanation that the low voltage events recorded corresponded to periods where circuit MLN 25F33 was used to supply power to an adjacent circuit. The lower voltage level is acceptable as a contingency operating state and will not cause problems for the majority of residential equipment. The Panel further accepts BC Hydro’s explanation that the long cable connecting BC Hydro’s meter base to your home was documented to account for nearly 30% of the voltage drop.
The Panel is satisfied with BC Hydro’s efforts to address your concerns, including an offer of information regarding the constraints of your current infrastructure, possible mitigation measures, and BC Hydro’s plan to construct a new feeder circuit which will address heavy loading conditions and the voltage provided to your premises. BC Hydro submitted that this project is meant to be completed by March 2024.
The BCUC finds that BC Hydro’s actions have been consistent with its duties and responsibilities as set out in its Tariff and the UCA.
File 013564 | British Columbia Power and Hydro Authority – Complaint filed by M.L.Y. – BCUC Decision
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Letter L-11-23
Accordingly, your file is now closed. Office of the Ombudsperson If you have concerns about how the BCUC handled your complaint, you may wish to contact the Office of the Ombudsperson. The Office of the Ombudsperson receives enquiries and complaints about the practices and services of public agencies within its jurisdiction. Their role is to impartially investigate complaints to determine whether public agencies have acted fairly and reasonably, and whether their actions and decisions were consistent with relevant legislation, policies and procedures.
If you decide to file a complaint with the Ombudsperson, they will review the BCUC’s process to ensure it was fair. Though this may not result in a different outcome for you, the office could request that the BCUC reopen its investigation.
Provided is a link to the Office of the Ombudsperson’s website: https://www.bcombudsperson.ca. You can also call their office toll-free at: 1-800-567-3247. An employee at the office will be able to assist you and inform you of your options.
Thank you again for contacting the BCUC. Sincerely, Original signed by: Patrick Wruck Commission Secretary
DD/jm/kk Enclosure
cc:
BC Hydro
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