Powertech Labs is a wholly owned subsidiary of BC Hydro, the principal electric utility in British Columbia.  Many technical issues are complex, requiring several disciplines for complete assessment and remediation. In a single facility Powertech offers electrical, chemical, environmental,  mechanical, metallurgical, materials, civil and structural engineering expertise gained over years of research and testing. The resulting solutions to technical problems are practical,  timely, and cost-effective.  The company is organized around five distinct business units: Applied Chemistry; System Studies; Electrical Technologies; Civil, Coatings; Power Engineering Laboratories; and  Technologies.  The Powertech facility in Surrey, BC has 18 laboratories and about 80 professional engineers, scientists and technologists. Through resource sharing, they form a network that provides  a one-stop analysis service for BC Hydro industries such as utilities, transmission and distribution, transportation, and pulp and paper.  Powertech's quality management system received ISO 9001 registration in 1997.  Environmental Services: Powertech provides analytical services and participates in studies to enable our clients to meet today's environmental regulations. Powertech can help industries to reduce their impact  on the environment. Our expertise spans a wide variety of environmental technologies, from the destruction of PCBs as well as organic and halogenated compounds to the assessment  of environmentally friendly wood preservatives, lubricating oils and oil-free bearing systems. We evaluate products and processes using life cycle assessment. Our environmental  testing facility is supported by a network of laboratories which include applied chemistry, metallurgy, civil, mechanical and electrical testing.  Analytical Testing: Powertech has a comprehensive testing laboratory which has been developed over the last 30 years. Our expertise can address the special analytical requirements of industry. We also  provide data interpretation and technical assistance. Our comprehensive analytical testing services include:  PCB analysis;   TOX analysis;   waste oil analysis;   waste water analysis;   analysis for soil contaminants;   gas analysis;   toxicity studies;   biodegradability testing;   comprehensive testing of environmentally friendly lubricant and coolants;   AAS, ICP and mercury cold vapour analysis;   GC-MS, GC-FTIR work;   analysis for thermal degradation products;   interfacial Tension of organics in water;   TCLP/SWEP leachate analysis;   flashpoint determinations.  Impact Studies: Impact studies completed recently include:  fleet emission studies;   electric vehicles and their impact on utilities;   reservoirs and greenhouse gas emissions;   environmental assessment of pole yards;   evaluation of Environmental Technologies.  Powertech has evaluated oil containment systems designed for generating stations and substations, including geomembrane systems for containment, oil traps, drains and various  materials that stop oil from seeping into the ground. Powertech's evaluation of boron based preservatives for the remedial treatment of utility poles in environmentally sensitive areas  resulted in adoption of the treatment by BC Hydro for use throughout the province.  Environmental technologies that we have evaluated include:  oil containment and remediation;   soil remediation;   reclamation of PCB contaminated insulating oils;   PCB destruction technologies;   CFC refrigerant disposal;   reduction of indoor ozone levels.  Life Cycle Assessment: Powertech helps customers achieve significant savings by selecting the most cost efficient product or process that meets their environmental goals. We have developed tools to  evaluate products based on the life cycle cost, including environmental impacts. We have completed life cycle assessment studies on wood poles, steel structures, packaging materials  and plastic materials.  Our comprehensive life cycle assessment services include:  inventory of environmental burden;   impact assessment;   life cycle cost management;   improvement analysis.  Powertech has evaluated containment and remediation technologies for hazardous wastes such as PCBs, wood preservatives, oil, red lead paint, mercury and other heavy metals. We  conduct waste audits for our customers and implement monitoring systems to track waste minimization programs. We have evaluated technologies to recycle glass, oil, batteries, rags  and wood.  Our comprehensive waste management services include:  waste generation audit;   recycle and reuse technologies;   hazardous waste audit;   development of Energy Efficient Technologies.  Powertech performs tests on the use of clean electrotechnologies such as electrical motors, adjustable speed drives, water heaters, lighting and other electrical products. We have  designed a radio frequency kiln for use in the wood products industry. It has the potential to reduce overall energy consumption through reduction of waste heat.  Our comprehensive services in development of energy efficient technologies include:  efficiency tests on consumer products;   research and evaluation of new electrotechnologies such as microwave waste destruction and RF drying.  Powertech's superb indoor and outdoor test facilities are located on an 11 acre site near Vancouver, British Columbia.  Indoor Facilities:  1,500 MVA high power laboratory;   3,200 kV high voltage laboratory;   high current laboratory;   mechanical engineering laboratory;   motor testing laboratory;   insulating fluids lab;   fuels, lubricants and coolants lab;   materials chemistry lab;   environmental analysis lab;   protective coatings lab;   cable test lab;   stator bar test lab;   pressure vessel test lab;   nondestructive evaluation lab;   lighting lab;   civil lab;   instrumentation lab;   metallurgy lab. Outdoor Facilities:  cable test bed;   pressure vessel test area;   NGV cylinder test area;   wood preservative test area.