ABSTRACT
This entry explores the role of the utility and the industrial or commercial facility engineer in developing a business partnership especially as it relates to the quality of electric power. The industrial or commercial facility engineer needs a thorough knowledge of the electrical power quality needs of equipment and processes critical to the business's financial success. Information relating to the operation of the electric utility system is essential to understanding what the utility can reasonably deliver and determining the best solution for bridging any gaps between process requirements and available power quality. The utility needs a thorough understanding of the equipment and processes of businesses they serve as well as a thorough knowledge of the power quality requirements of that equipment. Also, the utility should have available the best options for each process to resolve any gaps between the quality of power supplied and that required by the process. The utility has an obligation to its business partners to explain the operations of the utility system and to make available solutions to power quality problems or needs. Some utilities now offer to install power quality monitors, diagnose power quality problems, perform wiring and grounding assessments, and procure and install mitigation equipment within commercial and industrial facilities. When an opportunity arises for the facility engineer and the utility power quality engineer to work together to prevent or resolve a power quality issue, each should be prepared with the knowledge, information and resolve to do so.This entry originally appeared as “Building Business Partnerships with Your Electric Utility: A Power Quality Perspective” inEnergy Engineering, Vol. 101, No. 3. Reprinted with permission from AEE/Fairmont Press.
