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According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), more than 12 million distributed energy resources (DERs) currently operate on the grid. That number continues to grow. Utilities are proactively developing strategies to manage future DER expansion and capitalize on present-day opportunities. The recent FERC ruling (Order No. 2222) enables DERs to participate more easily in wholesale markets. These changes open new opportunities for the power grid, environment, and traditional utility companies.

DERs offer multiple benefits to the electric grid. Each new connection increases the system’s overall value. As more customers and devices join the network, the grid becomes stronger and more resilient than the sum of its parts. Beyond value, DERs enhance reliability by placing power generation closer to where it’s needed. This improves access to energy during peak demand and outages. When managed effectively, DERs provide local generation, energy storage, and load balancing. These features help utilities manage dynamic rates and reduce system stress. They also reduce transmission and distribution losses. This improves energy efficiency and lowers environmental impact.

According to Wood Mackenzie, solar power accounted for 37% of all new generation projects in the first half of 2020. Solar power purchase agreements also increased. By 2025, solar is expected to make up two-thirds of the U.S. DER market. The wind sector saw similar momentum during the same period. Whether deployed as DER or in centralized generation, both solar and wind allow utilities to deliver clean, reliable energy. These sources help meet customer demand and support the broader shift to renewable electricity. Together, they make a major environmental impact—especially as climate change takes center stage.

FERC Order No. 2222 allows regional transmission organizations (RTOs) and independent system operators (ISOs) to let DERs compete in wholesale energy markets. Although its full impact is still unfolding, this rule supports the shift to distributed energy. It also aims to lower costs and improve grid reliability. Utilities are using new tools to assess the cost and benefits of DERs by location, technology, and provider. Many are planning based on projected load growth and market dynamics. As DER adoption continues, utilities will explore new partnerships. They will also modernize systems to deliver cleaner, more efficient electricity.

After repeated outages and signs of structural degradation, a major utility in the Western U.S. launched a multi-year grid modernization program. The initiative aimed to improve system reliability, expand capacity, and address aging infrastructure across the service territory. As part of this effort, the project scope included upgrading 60 kV transmission lines to 120 kV. In addition, it involved rebuilding several substations to meet both current and future demands. ReeshaTech was engaged early to lead business case development, scope definition, budget forecasting, scheduling, permitting, and stakeholder coordination. Consequently, this established a strong foundation for successful execution. Our team delivered a broad range of engineering services to support the utility’s modernization goals. Specifically, on the transmission side, we managed end-to-end line design. This work included GIS mapping, topographic surveys, land acquisition, easement negotiation, rerouting plans, and final structure placement. To ensure compliance with modern standards, our engineers performed detailed pole loading analysis. These studies accounted for both communication and distribution underbuilds to guarantee safety and structural reliability. Moreover, we supported the rebuild of five substations. Our scope included specifying high-voltage equipment, switchgear, transformers, and protective relaying systems. Additionally, we handled procurement of long-lead items and ensured on-time delivery to match construction milestones. Each rebuild improved system redundancy and allowed for seamless integration with upgraded transmission lines. During construction, ReeshaTech played a critical role in execution. We coordinated with vendors and contractors, provided field engineering oversight, performed safety and compliance inspections, and managed planned outages. As a result, our integrated approach helped control costs, reduce schedule risk, and ensure high-quality results. Ultimately, the outcome was a modernized, resilient transmission network ready to support present and future load demands. This project highlights ReeshaTech’s ability to deliver turnkey utility infrastructure solutions—managing the full lifecycle from planning to energization with precision, reliability, and adaptability.

Are you considering an excitation system upgrade or planning an AVR (Automatic Voltage Regulator) upgrade for your facility? Like aging relays and meters, older excitation systems eventually become obsolete and need replacement. Upgrading lets you take advantage of modern microprocessor-based features. These include event recording, flexible logic, and advanced monitoring and control across multiple communication protocols. In addition, newer excitation systems rely on readily available components. This improves reliability and allows faster part replacement when failures occur. If your facility operates a generating unit over 20 MVA, a synchronous condenser over 20 MVA, or a generating facility rated at 75 MVA or greater (gross), you need to consider NERC PRC-019 compliance during any excitation or AVR upgrade. NERC PRC-019 coordinates voltage regulating controls, limit functions, equipment capabilities, and Protection System settings. After completing an upgrade or new installation, you must update your NERC PRC-019 report with the relevant commissioning documentation. For applicable facilities, you must review NERC PRC-019 reports every five calendar years, based on your audit cycle. These reviews confirm proper coordination of excitation limiters and protections. Because audit requirements vary by system topology and technology, technical expertise is critical. A Professional Engineer can guide you through the process. They ensure you complete thorough studies, maintain current reports, and keep your system optimized. They can also program equipment, perform testing, and recommend improvements for your existing setup. Reesha Tech brings the specialized expertise needed to help your facility achieve full compliance—and maintain it. We offer auditing, compliance support, and staff training. Our in-house team meets the full range of NERC standards. While many companies focus on a single area, Reesha Tech manages the entire compliance process from start to finish. We’re your long-term partner in grid reliability and regulatory success.

Understanding Arc Flash Hazards Arc flash incidents are among the most common and dangerous hazards in the electrical power industry. These events occur when a fault causes energy to arc through the air, traveling from one conductor to another or to ground. Arc flashes usually result from equipment failures in systems with high available incident energy—a dangerous measure of how much energy a system can release during a fault. As little as 1.2 cal/cm² of incident energy can cause second-degree burns. Impact on Safety and Equipment Arc flashes don’t just damage equipment or cause downtime. They are also a leading cause of workplace injuries and fatalities. According to Industrial Safety & Hygiene News, over 30,000 arc flash incidents occur annually, resulting in more than 2,000 hospitalizations and 400 deaths. Common causes include misoperation of protection devices, incorrect settings, delayed trip response, and poor maintenance. Assessing Your Facility’s Risk To evaluate your facility’s arc flash risk, begin with a comprehensive study. This process includes data gathering, impedance diagramming, short circuit analysis, and incident energy calculation. In addition to analysis, the study educates employees about job-site hazards by defining protection boundaries, approach distances, arc energy levels, and PPE requirements specific to your site. Staying Compliant with NFPA 70E NFPA 70E requires you to review your arc flash study every five years or after any major electrical system changes. Once complete, label equipment with clear hazard warnings. These labels should also display the PPE required for safe access or work. Reducing Incident Energy After identifying risks, the next step is to reduce incident energy. Mitigation technologies can save lives, protect equipment, and reduce downtime. Lowering incident energy also allows employees to wear lighter PPE, improving mobility and comfort. How ReeshaTech Can Help ReeshaTech offers cost-effective strategies to help you manage and mitigate arc flash hazards. Our team reduces fault current levels and durations, increases working distances, and installs arc-resistant equipment. We also offer remote racking systems, current-limiting devices, relay coordination, differential protection, and arc-detection relays. Safety-Focused, Budget-Conscious Solutions As a trusted leader in arc flash assessments and mitigation, ReeshaTech delivers solutions that match your technical needs and budget. We provide turnkey, right-sized systems while keeping safety at the heart of every project. Our goal is to help you protect your team and maintain the integrity of your power systems.

Grid modernization is essential as utilities face growing challenges in managing today’s evolving electric grid. Therefore, developing a technology roadmap is a critical first step. It enables utilities to maximize the value of new technologies and prioritize future investments. To support this effort, a Southeastern U.S. utility partnered with Reesha Tech to strengthen its modernization strategy. The primary goal was to improve operational efficiency and deliver reliable power to nearly 165,000 customers. As part of this collaboration, Reesha Tech led the development of a roadmap tailored to the utility’s existing Oracle software investment. Although these tools had already delivered significant value, the utility needed to elevate its modernization efforts to the next level. Consequently, our team conducted a detailed analysis to evaluate the current technology landscape. At the time, the utility had just begun exploring advanced metering infrastructure (AMI) and demand response solutions. Meanwhile, internal teams were also reviewing work management and geographic information system (GIS) tools to enhance operational capabilities. Based on these findings, we created a phased roadmap. The first phase addressed customer information system (CIS) upgrades, which were several versions behind. Once implemented, these upgrades enabled the utility to move forward with AMI investments and enhance its automatic meter reading (AMR) system. Furthermore, to ensure organizational alignment, we expanded the roadmap to include a baseline business case for both AMI and AMR. This addition provided strategic clarity and helped further streamline internal processes. Ultimately, the finalized roadmap became a cornerstone of the utility’s application for a federal infrastructure grant. Utility leaders noted that Reesha Tech’s expertise offered the ideal balance of strategic insight and actionable steps—effectively accelerating their grid modernization journey.

Tapping into the full benefits of renewable energy requires more than just turbines or panels. It demands seamless and reliable interconnection to the power grid. This process includes navigating complex technical and regulatory requirements while aligning with local utility standards. For a 50MW wind generation facility in eastern Oregon, this meant upgrading and building new infrastructure to ensure safe, efficient grid integration. Reesha Tech served as the lead engineering partner for the project. We delivered a full range of electrical and system integration services. Our team oversaw the design, construction, and testing of a 138/34.5kV substation. We also developed a 15-mile collection system, including both overhead and underground circuits. These systems routed power from wind turbines to the transmission grid. We began with detailed engineering studies. These included arc flash analysis, relay setting development, and reactive power compensation planning. Each study ensured safe system performance under both normal and fault conditions. To support communication and control, we created a custom SCADA interface. This connected the wind turbine control system with the utility. We also programmed the RTAC to enable real-time data processing between the substation and turbines. As a result, operators gained robust visibility and remote control capabilities. Throughout the project, Reesha Tech maintained strict adherence to quality, safety, and performance standards. Despite the logistical challenges of remote terrain and variable weather, we delivered the project on time and within budget. Today, the wind facility provides consistent, clean energy to the grid. Our work helped meet regional renewable energy goals and demonstrated our ability to support large-scale power integration with precision and reliability.

Strategic Grid Modernization Planning Grid modernization planning is essential for utilities facing growing electric grid challenges. As a starting point, developing a technology roadmap is a crucial step. It helps utilities optimize the benefits of new technologies and prioritize related investments. In response to these challenges, an electric utility in the Southeastern U.S. sought to strengthen its modernization efforts. To achieve this, it partnered with Reesha Tech to create a strategy focused on improving operational efficiency and delivering reliable power to 165,000 customers. Reesha Tech began by building a roadmap around the utility’s existing investment in Oracle software. Although the utility had already gained value from these tools, it needed to advance its modernization efforts further. To begin with, we conducted a detailed analysis of the current systems and capabilities. As a result, we identified both opportunities and technology gaps that helped shape the strategic direction. Following this, we outlined the specific technologies under consideration. After the analysis, we developed a multi-stage roadmap. The first phase addressed upgrade paths for the customer information system (CIS), which was several versions behind. Once this was completed, the utility was better positioned to invest in advanced metering infrastructure (AMI) and improve its automatic meter reading (AMR) system. To support continued progress, we expanded the roadmap further. It included a baseline business case for both AMI and AMR. This, in turn, helped the utility streamline operations and justify future investments. Ultimately, the final roadmap became a key component of the utility’s application for a federal infrastructure grant. The plan supported the design and implementation of a comprehensive AMI project within the utility’s service territory. According to client feedback, our work achieved the right balance between strategic vision and practical, actionable steps.

ReeshaTech was called upon to investigate and resolve an unexpected power loss at a major power plant in Ohio. The client faced significant operational downtime, posing both financial risks and concerns about service reliability. Our team’s rapid response and multidisciplinary expertise proved essential in minimizing these impacts and restoring the facility to full operation in a timely manner.

Upon mobilization, ReeshaTech deployed a team of engineers and technical specialists to conduct a comprehensive forensic investigation. Through detailed diagnostics and extensive field assessments, our team identified a critical flaw in the electrical system—specifically, a failure in the C phase of the power distribution network. This single-point failure triggered a cascade of equipment malfunctions, severely compromising the plant’s performance and stability.

To resolve the issue, we determined that a heavy-duty transformer required immediate replacement. Due to its substantial size and weight, transportation logistics presented a major challenge. A specialized contractor was engaged to manage complex river and sea transport. In addition, a temporary railway track was constructed near the site to ensure safe and timely delivery.

While logistics were underway, our engineering team constructed a reinforced concrete foundation to house the new transformer. We also upgraded associated electrical components and automated control systems to ensure long-term reliability and to prevent similar failures in the future. This effort demanded close coordination across civil, structural, mechanical, and electrical engineering disciplines.

Despite the project’s complexity and compressed timeline, ReeshaTech delivered the solution efficiently and within schedule. Our integrated approach, technical depth, and project management capabilities were key to restoring full operations without further delay.

This project underscores ReeshaTech’s ability to respond swiftly to critical infrastructure challenges. The client regained full operational capacity and praised our team’s professionalism, agility, and technical excellence.

August 26, 2020

If your facility operates a generating unit greater than 20 MVA, an individual synchronous condenser unit over 20 MVA, or a generating facility rated at 75 MVA or more (gross), you must consider NERC PRC-019 compliance when upgrading your excitation system or AVR. This standard governs the coordination of voltage regulating controls, limit functions, equipment capabilities, and Protection System settings for generating units and synchronous condensers. Ensuring proper coordination is essential not only for system reliability but also to meet regulatory requirements during and after equipment upgrades. After any upgrade or new installation, you must update your PRC-019 report with the commissioning report. This step helps maintain your facility’s compliance with NERC requirements. ReeshaTech offers specialized technical expertise to help your facility achieve and maintain full compliance. We provide auditing, compliance support, and tailored training for your personnel. Our in-house team covers the full range of NERC standards requirements. We deliver comprehensive, end-to-end support that many service providers simply cannot match. From start to finish, Reesha Tech partners with you to ensure your facility’s long-term success.

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