T&D World

Discover how transitioning to next-gen asset management can be seamless, empowering your workforce with easy adoption and long-term success. https://bit.ly/4lfEtBt

In the line trade, troublemen respond to accidents, outages, storms and more to serve their communities. Our latest Line Life Podcast episode shines the spotlight on Jon Backman, a troubleman for Puget Sound Energy, an IBEW journeyman lineworker and founder of Making Connections LLC. During the episode, he describes his experiences training at Northwest Lineman College and working as an apprentice in the Line Clearance Tree Trimming Program before becoming an apprentice in the line trade and topping out as a journeyman. With his 25 years of experience in the utility industry, he also shares his thoughts on leadership training in the line trade. To learn more about Jon, check out the April 2025 department, Focus: A Lineworker's View, in T&D World's print magazine. You can also look for Jon's story about RFI troubleshooting in the May 2025 field-focused Electric Utility Operations section of T&D World. To listen to the full episode, go to https://lnkd.in/eYzZQWBQ. Also, if you're not yet part of our Line Life Podcast community, go to linelife.podbean.com, and click "Follow" in the top right. Thanks for listening to the Line Life Podcast! International Lineman's Rodeo #linemansrodeokc Northwest Lineman College International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) RFI Services

New episode alert! ?? Former FERC Chairman Neil Chatterjee joins us to discuss the evolving energy landscape in North America. Listen now: https://bit.ly/4ik5vFS

The work we do for damge prevention here in New York was recently highlighted in the latest issue of T&D World magazine. I have been reluctant to post this because I don’t want the spot light or the accolades for it. But our team deserves it. The last two years the 44 member team at Bermex have shared my passion and commitment for decreasing damages in our operating areas across New York. This article highlights the 2023 accomplishments with fiber related damages. The 2024 season was even more successful and I hope to get that story published as well. So if you read the article and happen to see someone from Bermex thank them for the work they do to keep our communities safe and our pipes lines protected. I hope you enjoy the read. Thank you Samantha and Renee for getting all this together, I couldn’t have done it with out you. #damageprevention #udigny #eightoneone #safeexcavation #excavator #locating #newyork #naturalgas #safedigging #publicutility #underground #pipelinesafety #backtobasics #training #education https://lnkd.in/eqQMV-E4

?? Troubleshooting Transformer Trips: The Art of Persistence and Pattern Recognition Transformer trips can be some of the most frustrating challenges in the field—especially when the cause isn’t obvious. From unexpected trips at sunrise to unexplained relay operations, solving these mysteries requires a mix of technical expertise, attention to detail, and sheer persistence. See this article contributed by a NETA - InterNational Electrical Testing Association member: https://lnkd.in/gH7vza-b What’s the most elusive failure you’ve ever had to track down? Let’s discuss! ?? #PowerSystems #ElectricalEngineering #TransformerTesting #GridReliability #Troubleshooting

Cybersecurity Risks in Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS): A Growing Threat to Grid Security- Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) play a crucial role in stabilizing the modern grid by storing excess power from renewables and dispatching it when needed. But as reliance on these systems grows, so do the cybersecurity risks—threats that could lead to physical damage, grid disruptions, and even catastrophic fires. https://lnkd.in/e92qQRgH ?? What Needs to Happen? ?? Mandate cybersecurity in BESS design, hardware, and software. ?? Require U.S.-based suppliers and components for critical grid infrastructure. ?? Implement better cyber training and standards for utilities and grid operators. ?? Demand forensic capabilities to detect and prevent cyber-induced failures. Cyber threats to industrial control systems (ICS) aren’t just hypothetical—they are real, evolving, and already impacting our grid. As BESS adoption accelerates, utilities, policymakers, and industry leaders must act now to secure these critical systems before it's too late. #CyberSecurity #EnergyStorage #GridReliability #BESS #CriticalInfrastructure

Utilities are leveraging AI-driven computer vision to redefine inspections, improve reliability, and enhance safety and efficiency. New York Power Authority is leading the charge by integrating AI with drone-captured visual data to detect equipment defects and anomalies—without costly service interruptions. https://lnkd.in/g27P7Gvm ??♂? The Future of Utility Inspections? AI-enabled real-time monitoring, automated image analysis, and robotics programs are shaping the next generation of asset management. The shift isn’t just about technology—it’s about smarter, safer, and more resilient utility operations. #ArtificialIntelligence #Utilities #GridModernization #Drones #AIinEnergy #AssetManagement #PredictiveMaintenance #Innovation

?? The Future of the Grid Depends on Innovation—And People ?? The same week we attended IEEE PES Grid Edge Technologies Conference & Expo in San Diego, wildfires were still raging across Southern California. With SDG&E responding to fires in its own territory, wildfire mitigation was a dominant topic. But another key takeaway? Innovation at the grid edge must go hand in hand with developing the next generation of engineers. At the conference, AI, electrification, sustainability, and resiliency took center stage. SDG&E CEO Caroline Winn highlighted the utility’s advanced wildfire mitigation efforts—steel pole replacements, AI-driven vegetation management, and the launch of a Fire Science and Innovation Lab. Yet, as Shay Bahramirad - (Ph.D.), IEEE PES President & PG&E VP of T&D Engineering, pointed out, all this progress will stall if we don’t have the workforce to sustain it. From Pacific Gas and Electric Company's Power Pathway program to IEEE PES TryEngineering, we need more investment in young talent to drive the energy transition forward. A recent IEEE survey found that engineers are among the most trusted professionals when it comes to tackling climate change and energy security. With grid reliability, decarbonization, and affordability as top concerns, we need both cutting-edge technology and skilled professionals to meet the challenge. The industry is at a crossroads. How do we balance innovation with affordability and resilience? How do we attract and retain the talent needed to transform the grid? Read Editorial Director Nikki Chandler's full take on IEEE PES Grid Edge and the path forward here: https://lnkd.in/gaqkhdev #GridEdge #WildfireMitigation #EnergyInnovation #IEEE #Utilities #Sustainability #FutureOfEnergy #EngineeringTalent

Discover the power of AI in asset inspections by tuning in to a new Line Life Podcast episode at https://lnkd.in/g4KSj3QQ or linelife.podbean.com. The audio story shares how New York Power Authority is streamlining its maintenance program with AI technology to detect anomalies and prioritize tasks in the field. To learn more about NYPA's use of technology, you can also check out another audio story on T&D World's Line Life Podcast platform, "Line Monitoring, New York Style," at https://lnkd.in/gmN-Jiyf. Atena Darvishi, PhD New York Power Authority #AI #drones #artificialintelligence Ricardo da Silva EPRI #transmission #podcast

What's next for U.S. energy policy? At #CERAWeek2025 by S&P Global, President Trump’s Energy Secretary, Chris Wright, laid out the administration’s energy vision—one that prioritizes natural gas, critiques past renewable policies, and puts AI-driven innovation front and center. ?? Wright argues wind & solar remain unproven at scale. ?? Calls for a shift away from “quasi-religious” climate policies. ?? Warns of EV mandates hurting the auto industry. ?? Emphasizes AI’s energy demands & national security stakes. A shift in energy policy is underway. What does this mean for utilities, businesses & consumers? Read more: https://lnkd.in/gbWCDk85 Let’s discuss—how should we balance affordability, reliability, and sustainability? ??? #EnergyPolicy #Utilities #GridModernization #AI