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SVP details reliability performance, outage-management tools and customer responsibilities ahead of new OMS launch
Summary
SVP highlighted strong reliability metrics, said it will launch an outage‑management system (OMS) in summer 2025, and urged large customers to maintain high‑voltage-qualified staff, critical spares and clear single points of contact (Key Customer Representatives) to speed reenergization after customer-caused faults.
Silicon Valley Power (SVP) used its State of the Utility briefing to review reliability performance, describe new outage-management tools and remind large customers of responsibilities that affect system safety and restoration times.
SVP staff said the utility benchmarks reliability with the American Public Power Association’s eReliability tool and that SVP continues to report low interruption metrics compared with regional utilities. Chris Karwick, assistant director of customer development and project management, said SVP earned the RP3 Diamond recognition for reliability, safety and system improvement and described three commonly used reliability indexes (CAIDI, SAIDI and SAIFI) to explain outage performance.
Outage-management system and KCRs: SVP said a new outage-management system (OMS) is scheduled to go live in summer 2025. Staff described the OMS as both a utility and customer-facing tool that will provide general outage information to the public, while large customers should still rely on their Key Customer Representative (KCR) for facility-specific, real‑time updates. “For the large customers that are here today, the key customer rep is still your best friend,” Karwick said.
Customer responsibilities and reenergization: SVP staff emphasized that customer-caused faults require coordination and documentation before reenergization. Karwick said a high-voltage qualified electrical worker must be on-site to operate and repair customer equipment after a fault, and customers must submit requested documentation to the KCR for SVP engineering review before SVP will reenergize circuits. “We will not reenergize until those steps are met,” Karwick said.
Vegetation management and power‑quality events: SVP described an analytics-driven vegetation-management program, with inspections and a target to clear identified vegetation conflicts within 18 months. The utility also reviewed power-quality (PQ) events and said many such events stem from external causes; in 2024 SVP recorded 12 PQ events, nine of which were outside SVP’s service territory and three inside.
Safety clearances and access: SVP reminded customers that OSHA and the National Electrical Code require 36 inches of clearance around energized equipment and drivable 24/7 access to SVP-owned equipment; staff noted 10 feet of working space around 12 kV switchgear is required for safe work.
Why it matters: SVP’s recovery times and reenergization procedures depend on customers having qualified personnel, accessible equipment and timely documentation. The OMS will improve public information flow, but SVP said customer coordination through KCRs remains essential for facility‑specific restoration and safety.
