Congratulations to Florida Power & Light for consistently ranking among the most reliable utilities in the nation. In the most recent statistics from the U.S. Energy Information Administration, FPL’s service reliability was nearly three times better than the national average.
Read this article from Miami’s Community News to learn more.
As power grids age and adapt to growing demands from renewables and electrification, transformers are in greater demand globally. Siemens Energy, located in North Carolina, plans to build these highly specialized pieces of equipment whose lead times have ballooned from about 18 months to up to five years, thanks to a global shortage.
Read more in this article by Energy News Network to learn how the increased production of these transformers will aid in the clean energy transition.
ERCOT recently experienced a significant test when severe winter weather combined with increased demand in recent years pushed the grid’s capacity. An ERCOT spokesperson said that conservation efforts “along with additional grid reliability tools, helped us get through record-breaking peak times.”
Irby is working in Texas every day to expand capacity by building numerous Battery Energy Storage Systems and maintaining and expanding systems for key customers.
Read more about how the Lone Star State fared during the first cold snap of the season in this article by Utility Dive.
Grid planners across the U.S. forecast an increase of 38 gigawatts of peak electricity demand by 2028. This is according to data reported to federal regulators. Data centers and factories take less time to build than new power plants and transmission lines.
To view a sector-by-sector breakdown of where new electricity demand is coming from, read this article published by Canary Media.
Irby customer American Electric Power (AEP) aims to be the Utility of the Future through important and timely investments in field technology.
At a recent T&D World Conference and Exhibition in Charlotte, North Carolina, Darrin Reeb of AEP gave an insightful interview about AEP’s focus and strategy on improving field worker efficiency and safety through data optimization. Darrin discusses how fieldwork investments could alleviate many of the issues utilities are facing, such as labor and supply chain shortages.
Watch this video HERE to learn more about AEP’s innovative strategy and work whilst aiming to be the Utility of the Future.
A recent story on Real Clear Energy touches on the work Florida has done to harden its electric grid and how other states may soon follow suit.
For example, the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) is facing a critical decision regarding proposed investments to improve the reliability of the State’s grid. Ronald Brisé, a former Chair of the Florida Public Service Commission and a former member of the Florida House of Representatives, shares his insight and cites his experience in the story.
“I have been in their position. I know how it feels to balance badly needed upgrades to the grid that can help improve resiliency and safety versus increasing costs for customers as they are facing higher costs for everyday expenses,” Brisé said.
Experience in Florida proves the old adage that “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.” Florida is already realizing the benefits of a hardened grid. Emergency repairs after a storm or other disaster simply cost more in the long run. With this in mind, PG&E, the largest electric utility in California, has proposed burying 10,000 miles of lines in the areas with the greatest fire risk.
Irby is proud to be a part of the hardening efforts in Florida, helping to provide more reliable and cost-efficient electricity for every resident.
