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In May, NNEC and a team of contractors completed a radio system upgrade needed for the safety of its employees and the network's reliability.
“Our lineworkers brave adverse conditions and their work is inherently dangerous,” says Richard McLendon, vice president, operations, for NNEC. “When we reenergize a line after an outage or are switching the feed to another line, it is extremely dangerous. We need to verify that every single member of the team is clear of the line, and there were some areas of our system that were just ‘dead zones,’ literally and figuratively.”
The safety of our lineworkers and the reliability of the electric system are of the most importance to what Northern Neck Electric Cooperative does every day. Lineworkers brave adverse conditions to keep communities powered. Behind the scenes, upgrading critical infrastructure is crucial in enhancing their safety and the reliability provided to members. Recently, significant upgrades were completed on radio towers at the Oak Grove and Garner substations—a move that promises not only improved safety measures but also faster response times during outages.
Why the emphasis on radio towers?
“These towers serve as the backbone of real-time communication networks, enabling seamless coordination among lineworkers and other personnel, especially during emergencies or outages. Improved radio towers extend communication ranges, allowing lineworkers to stay connected over larger distances,” says Steve Bushong, manager, technical services, “This means improved coordination, even in remote or challenging terrain, improving the efficiency and effectiveness of field operations.” The upgraded towers allow lineworkers to effectively communicate their location, ensuring their safety before any potentially dangerous actions are taken.
Moreover, these upgrades are not just about enhancing safety; they also significantly improve response times during outages. In times of crisis, every second counts. With advanced communication facilitated by upgraded towers, lineworkers can quickly identify and address outage causes and restore power to members efficiently. This means fewer disruptions and quicker resolution for the community.
Why upgrade instead of replacing the entire structure?
When McLendon first had contractors assess the radio system and receive a price for a new system, the price made the project not feasible. Cost-effectiveness plays a crucial role in decision-making, especially for cooperatives dedicated to serving their members efficiently. “Thankfully, we found a contractor, who partnered with us to find an optimal solution of upgrading our existing system reducing the cost by a factor of 10,” says McLendon. By upgrading the existing infrastructure, NNEC can achieve the desired improvements while maintaining affordability for the membership.
The recent upgrades to radio towers at the Oak Grove and Garner substations represent a significant milestone in our ongoing commitment to safety and reliability. These upgrades enable lineworkers and technicians to operate with greater confidence, knowing that their safety is prioritized, and their communication needs are met. Faster response times during outages means enhanced service reliability for valued members.
As NNEC continues to invest in critical infrastructure upgrades, the co-op reaffirms its dedication to improving the quality of life of its members.