Fort Pierce Utilities Authority approves GRIP-funded relay purchase and transformer contract amendment

The Fort Pierce Utilities Authority board on May 6, 2025 approved two GRIP-funded actions to strengthen the city’s electric grid: a $20,000 capital budget increase for fiscal year 2025 to cover a one-time, sole-source purchase of 25 protective relays from Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories (not to exceed $214,480.18) and Amendment No. 3 to the substation transformer contract with Hitachi Energy USA Inc. to order four distribution transformers and adjust contract totals and timing.

The agenda items are part of the U.S. Department of Energy’s Grid Resilience and Innovation Partnerships (GRIP) program. Eric Meyer, gas and electric supervising engineer, told the board GRIP “is the U.S. Department of Energy’s effort ... to enhance grid flexibility and improve the resilience of the power system against extreme weather threats.” Meyer said the grant application included upgrades to auto transformers, distribution power transformers, substation protection systems and distribution line protection; the relay purchase is for protection at the Totten 69 kV substation.

The relays are Schweitzer-brand devices the utility has standardized on, Meyer said, and the 25-unit purchase is designated by staff as fully reimbursable…