Homestead Energy Services held the ribbon cutting ceremony for its new state-of-the-art Electrical Control Center. The event, which took place on Tuesday October 2nd, inaugurated the new facility that serves as the brains of Homestead’s electrical operation.
“Homestead Energy Services new Control Center enhances the reliability and safety of our system, which is critical during severe weather, as well as essential in the day to day lives of our residents,” said Homestead Energy Services Director Barbara Quiñones.
The new Electrical Control Center is larger, allowing for better display of critical electrical systems, Homestead’s Electrical grid, and the grid connection with other electric utilities. The larger control center also provides sufficient space for several employees to work in conjunction with each other. This is critical during a severe weather event or other emergency situation, since it is necessary for system operators to communicate with each other and the management team to ensure prompt dispatching of investigators and crews to make repairs when needed.
Along with the move to the new center, various technology upgrades were put in place. The remote monitoring and operating system for certain field devices has been upgraded. Remotely controlled switches have also recently been installed and are monitored at the Control Center. Staffed 24-hours a day, the new control center is an improvement on the previous one that was located in the power plant on the second floor in a very small congested area.
