Transmission

Thanks to the sleepless dedication of inventors, entrepreneurs, and scientist (and their teams of researchers), such as Alessandro Volta, Thomas Edison, and Nikola Tesla (who ironically proved wires are not needed to transfer electricity 1) we have the knowledge, technology, and ability to transmit energy from its source to our homes and businesses. (For a very basic explanation of an Electricity Transmission System, visit this site from the California Energy Commission.)

(photo courtesy of itsray)

However, as our nation's 50-year old infrastructure ages while we continue to increase our energy consumption, our transmission system struggles under increased loads. Additionally, as renewable sources of electricity become more commonplace, and require increasing numbers of connections to the transmission backbone, our system will require newer and increased capacity.

RenewableEnergyWorld.com says, "The U.S. utility industry will have to invest between US $1.5 and US $2 trillion between 2010 and 2030 to maintain current levels of reliable energy service for customers throughout the country...", again, that's $2,000,000,000,000.00.

Having recognized that "Colorado’s current transmission infrastructure is not adequate to meet the increasing electricity demands and the projected growth of wind and solar energy" and "The lack of adequate transmission represents a lost opportunity for early action to connect our vast renewable resources to the electric market while keeping Colorado’s transmission system reliable,"2 a state committee was convened last year to analyze and address these issues and opportunities.

This Clean Energy Development Authority (CEDA) states "Colorado has renewable resources in such abundance that the state can meet the current minimum utility Renewable Energy Standard by tapping a small portion of our total renewable resources." The Task Force assessed these opportunities, and the transmission requirements to bring these resources to market. (this source also has great resource maps and graphs)

Given the attention to this matter, and the fact that nearly half of the workers in the energy industry will be retiring within the decade, one can presume that this opens the door of opportunity for those considering a career in transmission, and not just as an electrical line technician/worker aka, lineman (whose journey level makes about $35/hour + benefits. For more info about being a lineman, click here. BTW, Trinidad State Junior College' Lineman School will have a Job Fair on Friday, December 12, 2008, 9AM - Noon in Colorado Springs, Colorado - click here for more details)

It takes teams of people in a number of different types of jobs to ensure overhead or underground transmission lines and the structures that support them are properly mapped, designed, engineered, licensed, permitted, manufactured, transported, built, connected, inspected, monitored, maintained and repaired.

Colorado employers of transmission-related jobs include:

- Xcel Energy
- Western Area Power Authority
- Tri-State Generation & Transmission
- Platte River Power Authority
- Black Hills Corporations
- Colorado Rural Electric Association, and
- Colorado Springs Utilities

among other power authorities and many, many subcontractors such as Utility Sales and Service in Longmont, CO. Contractors to transmission companies also include firms from the legal, land use, construction, financial, and other industries that support this cluster.

Training providers can vary based on which role on the team inspires you most. There are many opportunities in various occupation groups. For instance, if you prefer IT or mapping then consider training in GIS. However, if you prefer to work with your hands outdoors at great heights, consider training to become a lineman. If you prefer an office environment, public relations, governmental affairs, or business communications, consider telecommunications or public affairs (as a matter of fact, Tri-State G&T is looking for both of these positions as I write this post)

Refer to my schools post for training providers and use your web browser (not the Blogger search box) to Find keywords such as 'GIS' or 'lineman' (sorry, there's no search term for Public Affairs, since almost all colleges/universities teach communications and/or business).

In addition, some of the employers listed above have apprenticeship programs within their own companies, which means they will train you while they pay you. To find those apprenticeship programs that are registered with the U.S. Department of Labor, click on any of the industries listed in the orange or blue area of this website, scroll to the bottom and enter your zip code or state, and click the "Go" sign. (You can also check out my apprenticeships post for general info)

Speaking of great heights (I digress), check out one of my favorite YouTube videos about a lineman at this link, and embedded below: