A Bryan Municipal Utilities advanced metering infrastructure project “has been a testament to our employees’ dedication and desire to see this project through,” said Derek Schultz, Director of Utilities for the Ohio public power utility in a recent Q&A with Public Power Current.
He noted that Bryan Municipal Utilities has been discussing AMI implementation since as early as 2009 and for various causes, including the Covid 19 Pandemic in which all capital projects were paused, hadn’t been able to get the project off the ground until May 2021.
The Bryan Board of Public Affairs authorized a Master Service Agreement with Eaton Corporation for the purchase of the Advanced Metering Infrastructure system for the electric and water utilities. The Bryan Board of Public Affairs is a five-person board elected to oversee the operations of the community-owned utility.
“With equipment delays of over a year, the project started with the installation of the Gateways, or the equipment that collects the field data and is backhauled through the BMU fiber network to our headend, followed by the electric meter installation and currently the installation of new water meters,” he noted.
The installation of the AMI system is anticipated to be completed by the end of 2024 and “has been performed wholly by our employees,” Schultz noted.
“We all look forward to the final completion so that the benefits can be fully utilized by both BMU staff and our customers,” he said.
History
The Bryan Board of Public Affairs can trace its origin back to 1892 when a three-person Board of Waterworks Trustees were elected to oversee the construction of the new municipal water system.
When the people of Bryan voted to start an electric system in 1896, this new service was also placed under the control of the Waterworks Trustees.
The Board was discontinued in 1902 and the utilities were temporarily managed by village council, but in 1906 the utilities were restored to the jurisdiction of a newly created Board of Public Affairs.
The three BPA members were elected by Bryan residents to serve four-year terms implementing policies and directing the operation of the utilities that provide the city with all of its electric and water needs.
The Board of Public Affairs works strictly on providing the people of Bryan with the best utility service at the best possible price. In 1997, the citizens of Bryan voted in the general election to increase the Board to 5 members.
Also, in 1997 The Board of Public Affairs created the Communications Department to provide the city with a full-service communications network.
The Utility currently offers electric, water, internet and fiber service to the business and residents of Bryan.
“We also manage the core fiber network that is utilized by all city operations,” Schultz noted.
The Director of Utilities works under the administrative direction of the Bryan Board of Public Affairs and is responsible for the day-to-day operations of the Electric, Water and Communications Departments.
“The highlight of serving as Director of Utilities is without exception working with the most dedicated, hardworking and selfless people,” he said.
The City of Bryan “is fortunate to have these people that spend their entire careers dedicated to providing first class services to our community,” Schultz said.
Bryan Municipal Utilities was created to provide these services “and that basic purpose continues to be the foundation of our business practices today. We try our best to remain a forward thinking, progressive and responsive utility to ensure the best possible rates and service not only for today, but for decades in the future.”
Power Plant Substation and 34.5 kV Conversion Project
Along with the AMI project, Schultz highlighted a project designed to improve reliability and increase capacity for future growth of the city of Bryan’s electric grid.
Approximately 2,700 feet of overhead 34.5 kV transmission line will be converted to overhead 69 kV transmission line.
This project works in conjunction with the rebuild of the Power Plant Substation as the power plant is the only customer left on the 34.5 kV distribution line.
The substation project, which utilized a Design-Bid-Build approach, consists of all new structure, equipment and control house.
Upon completion of the project, which is anticipated early 2025, all BMU substations will be up to date, the remaining 34.5 kV transmission line will be decommissioned and utility owned generation assets will have the ability to generate directly onto the 69 kV transmission loop, Schultz said.
“Although an Electric Department project, it really has been a team effort by all employees that will benefit the residents of Bryan for many years to come,” he noted.
Reliability
Bryan Municipal Utilities has earned the Diamond level Reliable Public Power Provider designation from APPA.
Schultz was asked to detail the steps that the utility has taken to achieve this designation.
“Bryan Municipal Utilities is very honored to have received the Reliable Public Power Provider Diamond level designation in both 2019 and most recently in 2022,” he said.
Prior to this Bryan Municipal Utilities had also received the platinum designation three times.
“Bryan Municipal Utilities has demonstrated the long-term commitment to the RP3 program in the continuous improvement of services, infrastructure and reliability to meet the increasing needs of our customers. Safety, training and education are of the utmost importance and with the RP3 program it allows us a tool gauge our progress and keep our focus,” Schultz said.
“Our role as a Public Power Provider ensures our commitment to our customers/owners, employees and community that we are continuously working for them.”
Natural Gas Storage
In late 2023, Bryan Municipal Utilities entered into an agreement with The Ohio Gas Company to store natural gas for emergency generation and peak shaving purposes.
Schultz was asked to detail how this agreement helped Bryan Municipal Utilities maintain reliability during the winter months of 2023-2024.
“Because of Winter Storm Elliott and the effects that has had on the ability to secure and purchase natural gas this agreement ensures that capacity is available for the City of Bryan’s emergency generation and peak shaving needs,” he said.
“Protecting annual transmission and capacity savings from the City’s behind the meter generation was the driving factor in our decision.”
The agreement is with The Ohio Gas Company, “our local but privately owned gas utility company. This specific agreement was referring to purchasing the commodity in September of 2023 and having it placed in storage for the months of December 2023 through February 2024 when the demand for natural gas is at its peak. It also allows any unused gas to be rolled over to the summer peaking season,” Schultz said.
This agreement “helped maintain reliability during the extreme weather conditions because the gas was purchased and placed in storage. The agreement allowed for five days of running at ten hours per day and help ensured that the citizens of Bryan have power during extreme weather conditions, all while providing them with affordable and reliable power,” he added.
