Pilot program cracks through business challenges

Reliability is part of Hoosier Energy’s mission for members. Connecting to this mission was a recent event focusing on reliability beyond equipment maintenance. Thought leaders in the industry from the cooperative presented at the International Maintenance Conference with more than 1,000 in attendance from around the world.

When Matt Figg trained as a control operator at Merom Generating Station, he stood at a tapered bench board covered with pistol grips, switches and buttons and looked at a giant wall of lights, gauges and paper charts. To prepare for future situations, Figg would run actions through his mind – turn this switch, push that button.

Electric vehicles (EV) are converging on the Midwest, albeit slowly. With their entrance, new challenges are being identified for members and cooperatives alike. EnergyLines was able to reach out to Southern Indiana Power member-consumer Bradley Lynch to discuss the challenges he faces with owning an all-electric car in Southern Indiana.

In December 2017, South Central Indiana REMC board of directors made the decision to create SCI Fiber, a business division that would not only provide high-speed internet access to its members, but also a smart grid to improve system reliability and lay the foundation for broader infrastructure that could elevate Indiana’s connectivity standing in the country.

If you visited Whitewater Valley REMC last year you might have seen a lot of fleece. That’s because employees were making fleece tie blankets for residents of a local nursing home.

Lori Grubbs, vice chair of the board of directors for Volunteers in Medicine Dearborn, Ohio and Switzerland Counties, says the free clinic was at a crossroads when it received a $1,000 grant from the Southeastern Indiana REMC’s Operation RoundUp.

The Facilities Department at Hoosier Energy is tasked with maintaining more than 70 locations 24/7/365. From maintaining generators to office maintenance, the team of eight keeps the cooperative running smoothly. EnergyLines followed Brad Smith for a day. What took place was average until an emergency call came in.

The Hoosier Energy Apprenticeship and Training Safety (HEATS) Program celebrates its 45th year.