US Electricity Demand is Spiking. Can the Grid Keep Up?

US Electricity Demand is Spiking. Can the Grid Keep Up?

US Electricity Demand is Spiking. Can the Grid Keep Up?

Grid planners across the U.S. forecast an increase of 38 gigawatts of peak electricity demand by 2028. This is according to data reported to federal regulators. Data centers and factories take less time to build than new power plants and transmission lines.

To view a sector-by-sector breakdown of where new electricity demand is coming from, read this article published by Canary Media.

Irby Customer AEP Strives to be Utility of the Future through Field Technology Investments

Irby Customer AEP Strives to be Utility of the Future through Field Technology Investments

Irby Customer AEP Strives to be Utility of the Future through Field Technology Investments

Irby customer American Electric Power (AEP) aims to be the Utility of the Future through important and timely investments in field technology.

At a recent T&D World Conference and Exhibition in Charlotte, North Carolina, Darrin Reeb of AEP gave an insightful interview about AEP’s focus and strategy on improving field worker efficiency and safety through data optimization. Darrin discusses how fieldwork investments could alleviate many of the issues utilities are facing, such as labor and supply chain shortages.

Watch this video HERE to learn more about AEP’s innovative strategy and work whilst aiming to be the Utility of the Future.

The Current Flashes Showcases Irby Pride and History

The Current Flashes Showcases Irby Pride and History

The Current Flashes Showcases Irby Pride and History

Did you know that Irby’s Current Flashes employee magazine is over 60 years young? Having debuted in 1962, it is 61 years old this year. The Current Flashes has deep roots in Irby’s rich history and culture.

This anthology is an archive of the company’s jobs, crews, locations, partnerships, and customers over the years. From California to Florida, our crews are proud to showcase their work in each issue of the Current Flashes.

One of Current Flashes‘ biggest fans is Bennett Johnson in Oklahoma. He has collected every issue since he got hired on and is more excited about receiving each issue than a kid at Christmas! Thank you, Bennett, for showing such great pride in your work and the company! 

Randy Berry, Vice President of Operations, is also a Current Flashes enthusiast. He is our resident historian, having collected issues dating back to the second issue ever published. He is still on the hunt for the very first issue.

Next time you pick up a copy of the Current Flashes, just know that you are holding Irby pride in jobs well done and a piece of Irby history in your hands.

The focus of Irby’s publications is to tell your stories. Should you have information or photos you would like to be considered for publication in the Current Flashes, the Irby Insider, or on social media, please email [email protected]

Florida Hardened Its Electric Grid, Is California Next?

Florida Hardened Its Electric Grid, Is California Next?

Florida Hardened Its Electric Grid, Is California Next?

A recent story on Real Clear Energy touches on the work Florida has done to harden its electric grid and how other states may soon follow suit.

For example, the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) is facing a critical decision regarding proposed investments to improve the reliability of the State’s grid. Ronald Brisé, a former Chair of the Florida Public Service Commission and a former member of the Florida House of Representatives, shares his insight and cites his experience in the story.

“I have been in their position. I know how it feels to balance badly needed upgrades to the grid that can help improve resiliency and safety versus increasing costs for customers as they are facing higher costs for everyday expenses,” Brisé said.

Experience in Florida proves the old adage that “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.” Florida is already realizing the benefits of a hardened grid. Emergency repairs after a storm or other disaster simply cost more in the long run. With this in mind, PG&E, the largest electric utility in California, has proposed burying 10,000 miles of lines in the areas with the greatest fire risk.

Irby is proud to be a part of the hardening efforts in Florida, helping to provide more reliable and cost-efficient electricity for every resident.

Click here to learn more and read the complete story.

Irby Featured in FMEA’s Relay Magazine

Irby Featured in FMEA’s Relay Magazine

Irby Featured in FMEA’s Relay Magazine

Prioritizing the upgrading and hardening of electrical systems has never been more important, as weather patterns and conditions continually grow more costly and impactful to our communities.

Replacing wooden feeders and lateral poles with concrete reduces storm-related outages and shortens outage restoration times, bringing reliability and resiliency to our grid. Irby Construction partnered with the city of Homestead, Florida, to do just that, and you can read more about our partnership and work HERE.

wind catcher

Irby & Entergy Complete the Mud Lake – Big Lake Transmission Project

Irby & Entergy Complete the Mud Lake – Big Lake Transmission Project

Irby & Entergy Complete the Mud Lake – Big Lake Transmission Project

Alongside Entergy Louisiana, Irby Construction Company has completed the Mud Lake – Big Lake Transmission Project. For over a year, Irby has been working tirelessly to bring energy reliability to the people of Southwest Louisiana through transmission and grid improvements. These improvements included 15 miles of transmission line construction, a new substation build, upgrades to three existing substations, and the installation of approximately 150 poles and structures.

The Mud Lake – Big Lake project spans Southwest Louisiana from an existing substation just west of Mud Lake near the Calcasieu and Cameron parish line to a new substation near Tank Farm and Big Lake roads in Lake Charles. Entergy knows the importance of grid resiliency when it comes to the strong wind storms and hurricanes that attack the Gulf, and that is why many portions of the new transmission lines were built to withstand winds of up to 140 and 150 mph, with a crossing at Calcasieu River and Intercoastal waterway built to withstand up to 175 mph winds.

Click here to learn more. 

Irby crews hard at work completing the Calcasieu River crossing portion of the Mud Lake – Big Lake 230kV Transmission project.