Liberty STEAM Charter School’s 1st Annual Workforce Development Day

Liberty STEAM Charter School’s 1st Annual Workforce Development Day

Liberty STEAM Charter School’s 1st Annual Workforce Development Day

Earlier this month, Liberty STEAM Charter School invited Sumter Utilities to participate in their first annual Workforce Development Day, and we happily obliged! The initiative sought to partner each class of 3rd grade students, or “scholars,” with companies from around Sumter, SC to learn about various careers available to them. Industry representatives join the scholars for an entire day and worked through two projects, both focused on the goal of limiting exposure to harmful UV rays while they played outside.

The first project was to design a shelter that would block UV rays on the playground. Every class completed this project, and saw how their knowledge of science, technology, engineering, arts, and math could combine to have a real impact in their day to day life.

The second project was led by Training Instructor Mitch Johnson, and gave insight into the utility industry, specifically. The Sumter Utilities scholars worked in teams to create power poles that utilized a working switch and a light. If applied to their real life, this design would allow scholars to play outside even as the sun was setting, giving them more playtime with less UV exposure.

Our scholars were insightful, curious, and so fun to spend the day with. Mitch spoke to the class at length, and answered their many questions! He even had the chance to demonstrate some of our PPE with a Board Member volunteer and show off a bucket truck.

A huge thank you to Liberty STEAM charter school for the invitation, and for helping train up the next generation of curious and intelligent young people.

Liberty STEAM Charter School’s 1st Annual Workforce Development Day

Lighting the Way for the Turtles on Folly Beach

Lighting the Way for the Turtles on Folly Beach

As part of our work with Dominion Energy, Sumter Utilities crews have been working along Folly Beach outside of Charleston, SC to replace street lights in an effort to save the turtles.

When sea turtle hatchlings begin looking for the ocean, they look for the bright white light of the moon, which up until now could be easily mistaken for a bright white street light near the beach. By replacing the street lights near their breeding grounds with nearly 40 amber-hued lights, city leaders are aiming to do their part in protecting the sea life.

The new lights will have a distinctly different glow, reducing the disruption to the turtles, and helping more of them find their forever home in the ocean once they hatch.

These efforts from Sumter Utilities crews got a bit of attention in the news! Andrew Siau’s crew, including Wyatt Cline and Robert Williams had a moment to shine in various news outlets, and were praised for keeping a clean uniform and truck throughout the filming process.

Click below to see the news features and learn more about the Folly Beach Turtle project with Dominion Energy.

US grid congestion costs will likely continue to grow until transmission capacity is built.

US grid congestion costs will likely continue to grow until transmission capacity is built.

US grid congestion costs will likely continue to grow until transmission capacity is built.

Grid congestion occurs when a high demand for electric utilities is met with low transmission capacity, resulting in higher costs for consumers.

The latest major upgrades to the American electrical grid were completed around 10 years ago, and our current transmission system is running out of spare capacity.

In 2021, US grid congestion costs reached $13.3B, and this number is only expected to grow until increased and upgraded transmission capacity is prioritized and built.

Sumter Utilities is at the front line of this new wave of utility work, and you can click below to read the full article.

Rural electric infrastructure sees major investment from USDA

Rural electric infrastructure sees major investment from USDA

Rural electric infrastructure sees major investment from USDA

The American electrical grid is in much need of an upgrade, and the US Department of Agriculture recently recognized this in a large way. The USDA pledged $2.7 billion in loans, specifically for rural electrical cooperatives and utility companies, to continue the expansion and modernization of their electric infrastructure and increase grid security.

According to the article, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack stated, “This funding will help rural cooperatives and utilities invest in changes that make our energy more efficient, more reliable, and more affordable.”

Sumter Utilities is already hard at work performing grid improvements for multiple Georgia co-ops under this loan and is proud to step up to the ever-growing challenge that is grid reliability. 

Click below to read the full article.

Duke Energy unveils an advanced microgrid in Hot Springs, NC

Duke Energy unveils an advanced microgrid in Hot Springs, NC

Duke Energy unveils an advanced microgrid in Hot Springs, NC

Recently, Duke Energy published an article that dives into their construction of an advanced microgrid in Hot Springs, North Carolina. Sumter Utilities works directly in this area, and this new microgrid is sure to have a positive impact on grid reliability in the Hot Springs and surrounding areas! 

The microgrid is comprised of a 4.4-megawatt lithium-based battery storage facility as well as a 2-megawatt (AC) solar facility. This microgrid will deliver efficient and safety-focused grid solutions for the Hot Springs area. It will also provide energy and additional bulk system benefits for all customers.

Click below to read the full article.

As we harden and enhance the grid, we can’t forget distribution

As we harden and enhance the grid, we can’t forget distribution

As we harden and enhance the grid, we can’t forget distribution

Earlier this month, Power Magazine released an article highlighting the efforts being made to upgrade the U.S. power grid. The need is definitely evident, as the article states, “The U.S. needs to expand electricity transmissions systems by 60% by 2030…”

We’ve seen how utilities are hardening their infrastructure with undergrounding, and the method is growing in popularity. While there is tremendous work to be done on the transmission side, there are also millions of miles more of lower voltage lines and transformers, providing a massive challenge to the grid’s resiliency. The article suggests there is more attention deserved on the distribution side.

Click below to read the full article.