Pee Dee Electric recently donated a decommissioned relay panel to Richmond Community College for use in their highly competitive Electric Utility Substation and Relay Technology (EUSRT) program.
In one of only two EUSRT programs in the nation, RCC students receive training in the operation and maintenance of critical infrastructure associated with the electric transmission grid. Specifically, they learn how to maintain high-voltage equipment and protective systems that are used throughout the electric utility industry.
“This particular type of relay panel contains the ‘brains’ for a typical substation,” said Tony Eason, Director of Engineering and Operations at Pee Dee. “It controls and operates the various switches within a substation, provides analytics and historical data regarding the substation’s performance and overall ‘health.'”
From time to time, it is necessary to update equipment due to obsolescence (equipment is no longer supported, can’t get replacement parts, etc.), or perhaps some limitation of existing equipment as compared to what is currently available on the market.
“Pee Dee Electric values our outstanding relationship with Richmond Community College and are proud to play a part in improving this nationally recognized program,” said Pee Dee Electric CEO Donnie Spivey. “We are especially excited the equipment will provide valuable hands-on experience to local students both now and in the future.”
Pee Dee Electric has received media coverage of the donation from both the Richmond Observer and the Richmond County Daily Journal.
(Left to right): RCC Instructor Mark Rhyne; Pee Dee Electric Board President Richard Johnson; Pee Dee Electric CEO Donnie Spivey; RCC Executive Vice President & CFO Brent Barbee; RCC Vice President for Instruction Kevin Parsons; RCC Dean of Applied Sciences & Engineering Devon Hall.