Long-time Irby customer Florida Power & Light (FPL) was recognized recently for offering the most reliable electric service in 2022 by the Florida Public Service Commission. 

Per annual report filings, FPL customers have realized a 41% improvement in reliability since 2006. This reliability is a result of the company’s ongoing commitment to making its energy grid stronger, smarter and more storm resilient. 

Irby is a key partner and one of the largest on-system contractors for FPL. Through our efficient execution in updating, optimizing and hardening FPL’s system, we are helping keep the power on for their customers and continuing to grow our relationship with FPL.

To read more, click HERE.

in 2022 alone, the United States power grid experienced more than 100 physical attacks. These outages and the damage that followed affected tens of thousands of Americans. It is important to note that these attacks are only expected to increase with time. 

Utility Dive interviewed Jason Christopher, director of cyber risk at Dragos Cybersecurity, who said, “Unfortunately, with 55,000 substations nationally, there are obvious risk-based limitations on addressing physical threats that need to be managed. The industry should expect further regulatory inquiries and potential actions from the federal government in response.”

Irby Construction Company’s Executive Vice President, Rick Shouse, also weighed in for the Irby Insider by saying: “These physical attacks on substations are a relatively new threat and challenge that can be very serious and expensive for our clients. As with any power infrastructure issue, Irby stands ready to help our clients however we can with the security and integrity of the grid.”

You can read more about this important topic in the articles linked below: 

Politico – Physical Attacks on Power Grid Surge to New Peak

Utility Dive – Substation Attacks May Lead to New Energy Security Rules in 2023, Experts Say

Irby Construction Company is proud to have been featured in T&D World Magazine’s recent article, “One Year Rebuild of a River Crossing,” highlighting the Harahan-Avondale Mississippi River Crossing project in response to the devastation of Hurricane Ida.

Irby Construction was able to contract with Entergy New Orleans to build new, improved, and reliable structures for this complex river crossing in order to restore power to the people of Louisiana. The article is quoted as saying, “…when faced with rebuilding a critical piece of infrastructure after a natural disaster, the foremost goal should be focused on what can be built safely into the new solution to preclude the infrastructure from ever failing again in a similar scenario.”

To learn more about the Harahan-Avondale project and Irby’s role, click HERE.

ADSC Magazine recently published an article titled “The Power to Make a Difference.” This article honors the amazing things ADSC members, readers, and constituents have been doing throughout Hurricane Ian restoration efforts.

Irby’s Marketing and Communications Specialist Tina Richardson sat down with ADSC and told them all about Irby’s vast restoration efforts. “Several crews consisting of hundreds of vehicles and linemen were standing by and ready to go days before the storm hit. Once in the field, they immediately assessed and began repairing damage to systems. We know that restoring power as quickly as possible is what matters most to our clients and their customers,” Tina said.

To learn more about Irby’s Hurricane Ian restoration efforts, read the full article HERE.

While expanding clean energy is essential, it is important to note that it would not be possible without first restoring and expanding transmission. It is no secret that the transmission grid is aging; recent natural disasters have shown us that our grid is not as strong as it once was, and it is time for a reboot.

A recently published Forbes article expands on this hot topic of conversation, and is quoted as saying, “We’re looking at a significant expansion of the transmission system. A recent report indicates that it’s at least 60% growth by 2030. We might even need to triple our existing systems by 2050 to meet the larger growing clean electricity demands,” says Maria Robinson, director, grid employment office at the U.S. Department of Energy…”

To learn more about transmission’s role in the race toward clean energy growth, click HERE.

An article written by the Daily Energy Insider dives into Florida’s strategic investments towards electric utility hardening.

With recent costly US storms like Hurricane Ida and Hurricane Sandy, the state of Florida has come to recognize that long-term hardening investments are integral to maintaining the grid, and facilitating the quickest possible return to normalcy after a storm.

In fact, Frank Walker, executive vice president of government and political relations at the Florida Chamber of Commerce, told the Energy Insider that “Florida’s grid stood strong and rebounded quickly from historic weather-related disruptions this season in part because of long-term investments made in hardening efforts.”

Florida Power and Light (FPL), the largest electric utility provider in the state, services around 12 million Floridians. Irby Construction is proud to contract with FPL on various hardening projects all over Florida. From underground, to pole-hardening, and substation preparation work, Irby crews are engaged on FPL hardening projects across the state. 

Click HERE to read more in this insightful article written by the Daily Energy Insider.