EEI has expertise across a wide spectrum of the energy business. This positions us well to work with Clients’ Senior and Mid-level leadership to conduct strategic evaluations focused on organization structures, processes and technology. We’ve worked with utilities and businesses to deliver many successful projects over the years, from utility company management issues to evaluating alternate fuel options for businesses.
When EEI is engaged to provide feasibility, analysis, and assessment consulting services for electric power, petroleum or natural gas pipeline infrastructure, our team of energy experts works with you to select an appropriate assessment method. Our analyses and assessments typically include steps to review, measure and evaluate performance.
Formal (both qualitative and quantitative) and informal (qualitative only) assessments of technical, operational, business and regulatory issues are utilized to evaluate and predict compliance and improve performance.
Formal assessments are performed when measurable results must be compared to established standards to evaluate performance. These assessments are accomplished by the thorough review of operating, regulatory, financial, and other records. Informal (qualitative) assessments are performed when an observational measurement is utilized to determine how well standards are being met. An example of informal assessments is the visual evaluation of how well work practices and procedures are followed in the field.
Assessments of complex issues typically consist of several steps and require the issue to be broken into smaller, component parts before the problem can be defined and addressed. EEI consultants will dissect the issue into its individual component parts in order to develop and understand the interactions, hand-offs, and linkages between them. EEI will then develop a recommendation with options to address the issue(s), identifying the anticipated improvements in performance.
The final step in the process answers the following question, “Is this the right thing to do, and can it be done?” The answer to this question determines whether the recommendations developed as a result of a thorough assessment and detailed analysis are valid. EEI consultants are uniquely qualified through their extensive experience and industry knowledge to quantitatively and qualitatively evaluate the complete feasibility of each regulatory, technical, and financial recommendation. We will facilitate this process, assisting you to determine the right path forward based on your needs, goals and associated costs.
EEI also performs market intelligence research to bring you quick and accurate analysis on various areas in the energy industry. We couple the internal knowledge of our experts with our broad contacts in the industry to capture best practices and current industry trends. We also conduct extensive research including interviews with appropriate industry leaders and internet searches to ensure our coverage is complete. We then summarize our findings and assessments in a thorough written report and make recommendations or conclusions as appropriate to your needs. Past analysis has included topics such as open access to pipelines and LNG terminals, energy efficiency programs for US utilities, and underground gas storage and hub services. Our analysis and reports are prepared solely for the client.
Past Consulting Engagements
A sampling of areas of past consulting engagements executed by Energy Experts International includes:
Integrity Management: Audit, review, recommend and develop Gas Transmission and Distribution Integrity Management Plans to assure compliance with 49 CFR Part 192.
Risk Management: Risk Management plans to assess risk and consequence leading directly to short and long term operations, capital and expense spending plans, and facilities upgrade and replacement programs.
Electric Service Reliability: Review and assessment of outage duration, reliability and frequency. Conduct reviews of emergency and restoration procedures for dispatching and management of crews.
Gas System Reliability and Safety: Review and assessment of existing plans and practices, 49 CFR Part 192 audits and reviews, development of specific reliability, safety and compliance recommendations and plans.
Gas Pipeline Confirmation and Scheduling System: In conjunction with software developers, EEI designed, tested and implemented a full-service gas scheduling system to allow third-party access to a utility pipeline for the purpose of shipping customer gas. After gas was scheduled and confirmed it was delivered to the customer’s premises, subject to daily and monthly balancing, and tracked for billing purposes. Third-party access allowed customers to contract with agents to source gas for their needs.
Industry Best Practices: EEI uses its vast network of Domestic and International contacts and consultants to compare and recommend construction, maintenance and operation, engineering and planning, financial, and development and application of new technology practices.
Gas Records Management: Review, assess, and recommend best practices compliance with 49 CFR Part 192 and all applicable state and local requirements. Research and update records files and systems.
Technology Analysis and White Paper Development: EEI continually scans and reviews new technology developments to develop technology white papers and analysis specifically tailored to client needs, including: technology trends, international trends and activities, financial, operational, environmental, and social impacts of new technology development and implementation. We also custom-tailor reports for client needs making recommendations on specific issues as requested. Many times we can also arrange field visits to key industry participants to deepen client understanding of the information by witnessing operations first-hand. These visits provide further opportunities to ask questions, gather data and gain knowledge of the subject.
Regulatory Analysis: Review, audit, assessment, risk assessment and compliance recommendations to assure compliance with State and Federal safety, operations, environmental and financial regulations.
Emergency Response Practices: Review and assessment of comprehensive emergency response procedures. Recommended best practices and provided resources to facilitate implementation; including work process design and technical documentation.
Gas Distribution Work Procedures and Practices: Conducted an assessment analysis to identify procedures and practices which were either obsolete or required updates. Developed and executed on going forward plan to bring all documents up to current standards.
Electric Substations Training Programs: Conducted analysis of training programs to identify areas requiring updates and revisions.
Technical Documentation Project Deployment: Conducted analysis focused on attribution (data mapping), acceptance testing, migration of technical documentation to a new standardized enterprise IT platform.
Gas Service Field Assessments: Performed formal field assessments of work completed by Gas Service Representations. Results were documented and provided to supervision to take appropriate corrective action.
Gas Storage Field Deliverability Increase: Developed feasibility analysis to increase deliverability from a storage field by 66%.
Electric Tap Analysis – 115-kV vs 230-kV: Prepared Tap Comparison Analysis for interconnection to 115-kV and 230-kV feeds to proposed gas compressor station.