Thermal Sciences Expertise for Utilities

Capabilities

• Fire & Explosion Investigations

  When a catastrophic fire or explosion occurs, clients turn to Exponent for insights. Our multidisciplinary teams conduct in-depth field examinations and use high-tech modeling and testing techniques to determine the origin and cause of fires, gas explosions, dust explosions, and other explosions. We can also provide expert witness testimony and help develop strategies to mitigate future fire risks.

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• Utilities Asset Management

  Exponent's asset management teams comprise thermal sciences engineers, data scientists, metallurgists, and others who come together to determine your most urgent asset management needs — so you can strategically invest in your infrastructure repairs, replacements, and assets in order to mitigate against the risk of a failure that could cause a large loss incident.

• Regulatory Support

  Exponent supports compliance with chemical, fire, and explosion safety requirements as well as relevant codes, standards, practices, and guidelines. We can help you navigate regulations with the Department of Transportation (DOT) and Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA), as well as the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and Public Utilities Commission (PUC).

• Utilities Scale Batteries & Energy Storage Technology

  Exponent's multidisciplinary energy storage and battery technology consulting experts help ensure performance, reliability, and safety across all stages of the battery and energy storage product lifecycle. We provide differentiated expertise when it comes to large scale industrial storage.

• Risk Assessment

  Exponent's multidisciplinary teams provide site inspections, investigations, testing, and analysis — providing support for understanding vulnerabilities and risks for all aspects of utilities operations. Our team can help you navigate regulations with the Department of Transportation (DOT), Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA), Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), and Public Utilities Commission (PUC).

• Injury Investigations

  When injuries occur, Exponent provides a breadth of multidisciplinary support — including electrical and mechanical engineers, human factors, biomechanics, and thermal scientists — to provide objective insights and help you determine the best path forward. We provide deep understanding of electrocutions, burns, blast impact, and other types of thermal incident injuries and have broad experience with utilities injuries, including arc flashes and asphyxiations. Additionally, we can assist with communications with the Environmental Protection Association (EPA), the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), and Public Utilities Commission (PUC).

• Wildfire Investigations

  Wildland fires cause enormous damage every year in the United States. Exponent's multidisciplinary teams of thermal engineers, environmental scientists, and certified fire investigators provide comprehensive, on-site fire investigations, analyze burn damage, and use cutting-edge research tools and technology to identify the origin, determine the fire's path, and quantify emissions dispersion. Our civil engineering and environmental practices assist in the detailed surveys of area of origin, conduct aerial surveys of the burn damage, and GIS data for computer simulations. Our ecological practice can assist in the assessment of damage and consult on rehabilitation of the burned areas.  

• Gas Pipeline Blowdown Risk Assessment

  Pipeline blowdowns — the release of high-pressure gases from a pipeline to the atmosphere — are a high-frequency event in production, transmission, and distribution systems. These blowdowns can generate several hazards, including low temperatures, vibrations, fire and explosion risks, and the release of greenhouse gases. Exponent helps clients navigate pipeline blowdown hazards through modeling, risk assessment, and process safety advising.

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