Canadian Utility Fleet Council Online

CUFC President, Doug Reilly of Hydro One, welcomed attendees from across Canada and the US. Despite the economic down turn that we have experienced in the past year that has affected attendance, there were still more than more than 120 utility fleet associates in attendance at the Forum.

The environment was an underlying theme in many of the presentations and discussions.Keynote speaker Serge Roy, Director - Electric Vehicles Energy Systems detailed Hydro Québec’s contribution to Electricity in Transportation and the development of plug in electric vehicles. He was followed by Al Cormier of Electric Mobility Canada who spoke about the technical road map for Electric Vehicles in Canada and some interesting facts about what is happening in other countries around the world. Both speakers reminded the audience of PHEV’09 conference and trade show in Montreal, September 28th to 30th. http://www.emc-mec.ca/phev/en/home_en.html

There were several other presentations on hybrid vehicles, including plug-in hybrids that dealt with new and existing technology and user experiences. Dave Turriff recounted Hydro Quebec’s hybrid aerial device experience over the past 2 years. Ken Thomas of Manitoba Hydro also talked about their hybrid aerial device and plug in electric vehicle results. Matt Jarmuz of Dueco/Odyne gave a presentation on their hybrid system and John Pantzke’s presentation from Terex Utilities highlighted their new plug-in hybrid system

The subject of how engine and truck manufactures are going to meet the EPA 2010 engine emission requirements and product updates was addressed by Jodi Bunger of Navistar, Mike Finney of Freightliner and Michel Bergeron of Cummins.

André Brisson of Jade Engineers gave a very informative talk about Equipment Certification, towing structures and hitch offsets. Evelyn Thompson of Enbridge Gas presented the findings of a study they did on a very hot topic, Winter Tires.

As a result of a suggestion from last year’s CUFF in BC, the open forum was moved up to the morning of the first day and proved to be one of the best segments of the Forum. A panel of Daryl Daley - NB Power, Corrie Atkinson – Sask Power, Keith Miekle – AltaGas Untilities, Matt Prichard – BC Hydro, Gary Stratmoen – Fortis Alberta and Klaus Wetzel – K-Line Maintenance & Construction, fielded questions about items such GPS tracking, reducing motor vehicle accidents, green fleet programs and anti idling, winter tires, vehicle towing and recovery. This generated a lot of open discussion and positive comments from the floor.

The equipment show, managed this year by Christian Poudrier of Posi-Plus Technologies was a big hit, with many of the 17 exhibitors also taking part in the vendor “one on one” presentations. In addition to some of them mentioned above, they are;

Michel Ratté of Altec Industries, Jeff Harris of Hycotec for Bronto Skylift, Jan Kral of Prinoth, Christian Poudrier of Posi-Plus Technologies, Jared Hodgson of Powertraxx, Kent Miller of Miller Technologies, Ray Fritel of Diversified Product Development, Vern Sparkes of Ditch Hitch, Don O’Connell of Robert Hydraulique, Jim Jennings of RST Fleet Resourses for Astoria Bodies, Nicolas L’Esperance of Les Equipement Twins and Alastair Fyfe of Allan Fyfe Equipment for Versalift.

Update on CSA, ANSI and ISO standards that are pertinent to utility fleets were given, Bob Borer of Robert Borer Enterprises made a presentation on the changes to CSA-C225, Walter Dick of the Canadain Standards Assocciation briefed attendees on CSA Z150and Doug Reilly on TC214. Trevor Philpott of Newfoundland Power briefed the attendees on CUFC’s technician certification program.

President Doug Reilly made presentations to honour Ken Thomas and Jack Abraham for their efforts over the years in support of the Canadain Utility Fleet Council. Doug also thanked the Executive Board members and Doreen Pilon, CUFC Administrator, for her hard work in contributing to another successful Forum.

2009 Canadian Utility Fleet Forum