Alan Drew, Author of The American Lineman, Retired SVP of Research & Development at NLC
Northwest Lineman College has always focused on providing our Electrical Lineworker Program students with the fundamentals that will get them started on a path to a long and rewarding career. As potential students embark on this journey, one question frequently surfaces: “What does the future look like for lineworkers?” This question isn’t at all unexpected because lineworkers have always appreciated and looked to linework as a lifelong career.
The electrical power and communications systems are vital components of the nation’s critical infrastructure and serve as an essential foundation for the American way of life. The power grid generates, transmits, and distributes electric power to hundreds of millions of Americans in homes, schools, offices, and factories across the United States.
The average age of the existing plant is 40 years old, with more than 25% of the existing plant are 50 years old or older. While the grid’s sheer longevity is a testament to the engineering expertise of our forebears, that aging infrastructure is long overdue for a major overhaul. The push to decarbonize the grid will drive more transmission line construction to deliver the renewable sources of energy to where they are needed.
For the foreseeable future power will be delivered via conductors supported on structures or underground installations as it has been for many years. The possibility of wireless delivery of substantial amounts of electric power is beyond the practical planning horizon. This will mean that the lineworkers of the future will not be distinctly different from lineworkers today. Still, there are several considerations that may affect the future of linework, all of which focus on installing and maintaining a resilient grid for the future.
Training Today
Maintaining an adequate and highly skilled workforce will continue to be vital to ensuring the reliable operation of the power grid and communications networks. Effective training for new individuals entering the trade as well as existing workers will be essential, especially as we consider training millennials who learn very differently than those baby boomers who are retiring.
Hand Tool Use
The use of hand tools will remain a key skill for lineworkers. Northwest Lineman College training specialists indicate that a significant number of students enrolling in our Electrical Lineworker Program have rarely, if ever, used hand tools such as wrenches and screwdrivers. With this in mind, potential lineworker students are encouraged to engage in activities that will expose them to the fundamental use of hand tools. This basic understanding of how tools are used will make their training that much easier.
Robotics
Robotic arms like the Quanta LineMaster Robotic Arm have been productively in use to hold and reposition energized conductors on transmission lines for some time. So far, the majority of robotic implementation has been in the transmission area, although there will likely be more distribution tasks—such as the use of robotics for traffic control to assist line crews—evaluated for robotics.
Communications
Power companies are expanding, and will continue to expand, the internal use of fiber optics and cellular technology while providing broadband internet service to their customers. Some companies may even choose to include the installation of fiber optics in the duties of their power lineworkers.
Training Tomorrow
The need for skilled lineworkers will continue far into the future, especially considering the new technologies that will be incorporated into updating and maintaining the electric grids of tomorrow.
Virtual Reality
Look for the expansion of augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) technology to improve the effectiveness of training. This technology is well suited for the power and communications industries. It combines the virtual world with the real world by overlaying the digital interactive content on the existing system using three-dimensional images to interface with the end user. A number of key job tasks can be simulated effectively using this technology.
Aerial Devices
The use of unmanned aerial devices (drones) is already exploding in the lineworker industry. But in the future, there will be considerable development and enhancements with higher capacity models, which allow the transportation of tools and materials along with other activities. Power companies and line contractors will likely increase the number of lineworkers who are certified to operate unmanned aerial devices. Without question, future lineworkers will be operating and working around more robotics.
Direct Current
The use of DC for underground, undersea, and overhead facilities
also will increase in the future and all aspects will require training for lineworkers performing certain duties. The majority of the work will be transmission-related, including more advanced methods for performing live- line maintenance.
To improve and make the main power grid more resilient, while at the same time developing microgrids where they are a fit, will take considerable efforts. Likewise, storage will become a major element for both the main grid and microgrids. And lineworkers may become involved in the installation and operation of certain storage-related devices. All of this will require a well-trained, highly skilled force of lineworkers.
Safety and Stewardship
As it should, safety will continue to be the number-one priority for power companies and line contractors. There will be an increase in underground work in many areas with the conversion of more overhead lines to underground lines in areas for aesthetic reasons and to withstand catastrophic events.
Environmental stewardship will become a more important responsibility for lineworkers, particularly in areas confronted with endangered species listings.
A New Generation of Lineworkers
Maintaining an adequate number of highly skilled lineworkers will continue to be the key to success for power companies and line contractors. Of paramount importance is the challenge to provide a continued stream of new lineworkers, as the lineworker profession continues to be recognized as a highly valuable and essential contributor to the well-being of our country.
Northwest Lineman College is committed to playing a key role in training new generations of lineworkers. We are excited about what the future holds as NLC works to exceed the expectations of our customers in providing training for the lineworkers of the future. Let’s work together to promote the lineworker profession to the younger generations at every opportunity. The road ahead
for the lineworker leads to a bright future with a long, rewarding, and exciting career.
The American Lineman
Alan Drew is renowned in the industry for his leadership, knowledge and the ability to plan. His book, The American Lineman, is a testament to those attributes.
Purchase The American Lineman
