The Utility Expo is the largest event for utility professionals and construction contractors seeking comprehensive insights into the latest industry technologies, innovations and trends. The show will return to Louisville September 26-28, and is expected to be the biggest show yet for utility industry professionals, exceeding the size and scope of the most recent show in 2021. The show is the largest event for utility professionals and construction contractors seeking comprehensive insights into the latest industry technologies, innovations and trends.

The utility industry is transforming. The Infrastructure Law, sustainable approaches, new regulations, and new innovations have opened up a world of possibilities for business in the industry.

The Utility Expo is where all of this comes together. It’s an easy way to understand what’s happening. During the three exhibition days.

• New products and technology
• New approaches to work
• Better ways to understand shifting lead times and pricing
• Expert insight into market trends
• Networking, peer-to-peer education, and more

Electrification and Sustainability at the Centre of the ExhConverting Utility Fleets to Electric

Electric equipment isn’t just coming, it’s already here. And governments are incentivizing further adoption.
However, electrifying an equipment fleet without a plan can backfire, with unexpected job downtime, safety concerns, and pushback from the team.

The greening of U.S. utilities is already underway, as already seen at the last Utility Expo, the next one coming to Louisville, Ky. September 26-28. The U.S. has committed to reducing greenhouse gas pollution by 50-52% from 2005 levels, and with electric utility production accounting for 25% of those emissions, utilities are under pressure to turn to cleaner sources of energy. Electrifying their fleets is just another step in their overall plan to reduce the carbon footprint of their operations.

Southern California Edison was recently recognized by the Smart Electric Power Alliance  (SEPA) for their progress in transforming to a carbon-free electricity sector and named to their 2023 Utility Transformation Leaderboard. They have already taken important steps to electrify a significant portion of their fleet, which is comprised of more than 6,700 assets – approximately 5,000 vehicles, 1,000 trailers, and 700 off-road assets.

Todd Carlson, SCE Principal Manager of Fleet Asset Management outlined their ambitious goals, says:

“SCE seeks to lean into electrification opportunities and must be aggressive to meet proposed California air quality and greenhouse gas reduction goals associated with the proposed California Advanced Clean Fleet rule. SCE plans to have 90% of our light-duty vehicles electrified by the end of 2025 and 100% by 2030. That same year, we also expect to exceed 30% of our medium-duty and 10% of our heavy-duty. Our EVs that replaced gas vehicles have very favorable maintenance outcomes. And our traditional hybrid vehicles have also had good maintenance outcomes over the last ten years.”

SCE used a telematics fleet assessment to outline vehicles targeted to be replaced by EVs, where they park, and how long they have to charge. This was used to calculate the charger size required at each facility by year.

Infrastructure lead times and budgets are particularly important considerations. In addition, SCE had to contend with a small number of sites that were circuit constrained and required the utility to complete a circuit upgrade. Other conditions that required longer lead times include new to-the-meter service drops when switchgear is required.

According to Carlson, product availability is the biggest issue in the electrification of the fleet, and not just medium- and heavy-duty vehicles. Once SCE achieves full-scale adoption of EV work trucks, portable chargers and robust public charging for storm support and emergencies will be required. However, Carlson doesn’t see portable charging solutions as a current constraint for EV work truck adoption.

There’s a lot to consider when electrifying your fleet but because fleets like SCE are sharing how they plan to reach their goals, it’s making electrification easier not only for all utilities but for their commercial customers as well.

The Utility Expo, american traffic safety services association, team up for safety education

The Utility Expo has signed an agreement with the American Traffic Safety Services Association (ATSSA) to increase educational offerings at the show.

“Safety has always been a front-and-center issue for The Utility Expo. From the equipment that utility professionals use onsite, to the potentially hazardous environments they can find themselves in, safety needs to always be priority number one. The people at ATSSA understand that a lot of utility work is done in and around traffic and they have put together a great education agenda to help keep utility pros safe when the traffic cones come out,”

said The Utility Expo Show Director John Rozum.

The education programs ATSSA will be presenting at The Utility Expo will help participants expand their knowledge about traffic safety while on the job.  Education topics include Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), emerging safety technologies, liability and exposure, becoming a traffic control technician and earning ATSSA Flagger Certification.

The Utility Expo and national utility contractors association announce partnership: the “Nuca Lounge” comes to 2023’s the Utility Expo

The National Utility Contractors Association (NUCA), the leading trade association representing the utility construction and excavation industry in the United States, will be introducing an all new “NUCA Lounge” at The Utility Expo 2023.

NUCA’s nationwide network of state/regional Chapters and member companies represent utility contractors, excavators, suppliers, manufacturers, and other providers in the water, sewer, gas, electric, treatment plant, telecommunications, and excavation industries.

NUCA’s core purpose is to improve the operational proficiency and financial performance of its member companies by providing services that focus on shared industry issues. NUCA also works to secure more funding for America’s aging underground infrastructure. Founded in 1964, NUCA is the driving force for improving conditions in the utility construction and excavation industry, for both open-cut and trenchless contractors.

“The NUCA Lounge will be the home-away-from-home for our industry’s many show attendees. This industry is known for our friendly hospitality, we want to give our members and guests a convenient place at The Utility Expo where they know they will always be welcome,”

said Doug Carlson, NUCA’s Chief Executive Officer.