Keeping the Lights on… Electric Substation Improvement Considerations

Aging infrastructure is on the minds of many. It lingers in the political spectrum and is measured by users who travel from place to place, telework, or take advantage of traditional utility offerings like water, waste water, natural gas, communication and electric services. Beyond roads, bridges, and waterways, the electric grid is a system demanded for the public good. It requires maintenance and upkeep as many of these systems have been in service for over 100 years. It is imperative that electric utilities engage in preventive maintenance programs and planning efforts to sustain service to their customers. Often, it is necessary to replace equipment and perform other system improvements to ensure the reliability of service that most customers now require from their electric utility. This presentation will cover a typical substation improvement project considering such things as design, safety, environmental issues, and technology improvements to name a few. The presentation will take the form of a virtual tour using photographs from the project’s inception to its completion. PDH credits available for $5 upon request. Knoxville, Tennessee, United States