It used to be that the quality of infrastructure was measured by its lifespan. Water systems might last a century, and power plants at least half that. Those were measurements of solid assets, well worth the investment. But today, dependable infrastructure is just not enough. While it must be resilient and have an extended life… Keep reading →
The old joke about how do you eat an elephant – one bite at a time – can apply to safety. How do you go months and years without a single job injury? One day at a time. Thus Black & Veatch experts say that success begins with what is referred to as a “Zero… Keep reading →
Most large utilities use carrier frame relay services for their private local area network connections. However, due to changing technologies, these utilities are facing sunset dates when these services will no longer be available. This, combined with telecom carriers’ own favoring of next generation IP (Internet protocol) services, means that utilities are searching for ways… Keep reading →
A more informed utility is a smarter utility. One way that utilities are getting more informed is the use of predictive analytics developed for Adaptive Planning solutions. As the concepts involved with Adaptive Planning are embraced by the industry, utilities will find a better understanding of their asset management programs and improved operational strategies. “Adaptive… Keep reading →
The world’s largest compressible media filtration (CMF) facility, located in Springfield, Ohio, was recently completed, and it will help eliminate untreated wet-weather overflows – a significant issue facing many water utilities worldwide. The innovative design includes the addition of a 100 million gallon per day (mgd) facility that is 10 times larger than the next… Keep reading →
Carbon capture and sequestration (CCS) is a fledgling technology still mostly relegated to demonstration projects in the U.S. and other parts of the globe. While not yet commercialized, its prospects of putting coal-fired plants on the same footing with natural gas facilities – from a carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions perspective – gives it an innovative… Keep reading →
The electric utility industry is in the midst of unprecedented change. Despite these changes, most utility rate designs remain largely based on formulas devised more than a century ago. The fallacy of applying 19th century rate structures to 21st century electric utility services is made clear by the economic effects of demand-side management programs and… Keep reading →
Last year in Singapore, approximately 100 water leaders around the world convened at the Singapore International Water Week (SIWW) to discuss and share insights on how to develop more sustainable water utilities. Cindy Wallis-Lage, President of Black & Veatch’s water business, chaired the dialogue session, “Breaking Boundaries: Developing a Better Water Utility”, co-organised by SIWW… Keep reading →
Change is sweeping through utility telecommunications at a furious pace, as nearly 60 percent of electric and water providers are planning for replacement, upgrades or new communications infrastructure in the next five years. “This change is challenging utilities to adapt to transformative technologies, and to place a heightened focus on security and regulation,” said Dean… Keep reading →
Natural gas organizations are starting to integrate cybersecurity with other programs or applications as opposed to ad hoc or bolt-on fixes, according to Black & Veatch’s 2014 Strategic Directions: U.S. Natural Gas Industry report. The renewed focus on both physical and cyber security can be understood, in part, as a function of the continued rise… Keep reading →
