NEWSROOM

We’re #PoweringTransformation Through Engineering

A powerful electrical grid doesn’t just happen—it’s built on decades of innovation, strategic planning, and forward-thinking engineering. At ENTRUST, our commitment to transforming the electric utility landscape is more than just a mission; it’s a legacy we’ve been shaping for over 20 years. Our “Powering the Transformation” campaign highlights not only our legacy of engineering advancements but also our commitment to driving cutting-edge solutions in the electric power industry.

Today, we continue by embracing innovative practices that push boundaries. Each of our engineering teams brings forward-thinking solutions that not only meet but surpass the growing needs of our electric utility clients. From optimizing grid modernization to enhancing system reliability, our expertise transforms challenges into opportunities.

Tony Bustos, Sr. Director of Electric Programs, and Kerry Emm, Sr. Vice President of Electric Programs, discuss how ENTRUST consistently goes beyond expectations, providing creative, impactful solutions for the evolving utility landscape.

A Look Into the Past with Tony 

Tony Bustos serves as the Senior Director of West Region Electric Projects & Programs at ENTRUST Solutions Group, where he plays a key role in #PoweringTransformation across the utility industry. With over 25 years of experience in the Electrical and Renewable Energy sectors, Tony has consistently demonstrated exceptional leadership and a commitment to driving innovation. His deep expertise in project delivery and implementation of best practices at all levels makes him an invaluable asset to the ENTRUST team.

In his role, Tony leads the western region’s utilities team, overseeing the engineering, design, and field support of critical projects that power the growth and transformation of client operations. Under his leadership, the team continually pushes boundaries, expanding their knowledge and capabilities to deliver cutting-edge solutions with an emphasis on quality and efficiency—fully aligned with ENTRUST’s vision of transforming the energy landscape.

Our History in Outages & Engineering

Our approach has always been simple: we use our team’s vast background in true grid resilience practices to enhance our client’s infrastructure to meet and exceed standard design practices. Identifying critical high fire districts and rural terrains where these significant outages traditionally happen. 

We have always gone above and beyond to have a robust system in place with protective measures to reduce risks and outages. Our UG program has been one we have grown over the years to recommend to our clients the benefits of outage reduction as well as grid expansion in mind. We have assisted in substation “getaways” where we gave insight on how the growth of the community warranted additional infrastructure in a way that allows the utility to provide service to a circuit that was down by switching to a new unaffected circuit upstream with limited downtime once crews can provide the all clear. We have always tried to think outside the box and listen to what our clients need, sometimes the best innovation is to listen to your customers.

In our industry, we have faced challenges for decades. The most unique are the ones you cannot see or plan for such as storms, tree falls, vehicle versus poles, and wildlife strikes, just to name a few. Historically and still today, our partnerships with our clients from the beginning phase of design efforts through construction allow us to be boots-on-the-ground partners in being solution-oriented when these things arise. Attention to detail concerning proper clearances and ever-changing design standards gives us the best fighting chance to reduce outages.   

Our number one goal has always been to minimize the duration of outages and the number of occurrences themselves. Of course, we’ve used traditional methods such as routine visual and physical inspection protocols as a baseline. But after this, we implement industry-leading technology such as protective switching, covered conductor/tree wire products, resistograph pole inspections as next-level thinking to reduce these outages and impact to the public. We’ve always looked toward new ways to get better and be better for our clients, incorporating new technologies as they have become available. 

Engineering Innovation in Real Life

Two years ago, one of our clients faced an issue where their aged infrastructure was failing routinely and, as a result, customers were often without power. The client installed a temporary fix to get through the latest outage and engaged our team to help with the permanent solution. In addition, the vegetation growth in that community eliminated potential overhead or reconductor efforts during outages. 

In an effort to find the innovative solution that was right for this community, we proposed the replacement of the existing circuitry with directional boring installing new underground raceways allowing clear access to meters as well as protective equipment for crews. In the meantime, we engaged a trade partner who was able to provide specific details on their means and methods of this directional bore approach. As a result, that utility added directional boring as an approved method in their standards moving forward. 

With this particular client, they fell victim to a grandfathered standard that did not allow internal teams to vary from the “black and white” of approved methods. We drafted the standard update which allowed the client to implement it into their published standard revisions. This became a common practice for them moving forward.

In the utility world, innovation is not always the newest brightest shiniest widget created, it can be a means and methods scenario that creates a greater benefit. This was one of those cases. Here at ENTRUST, we thrive on providing both technology innovation solutions as well as creative solutions with fundamental changes in best practices for operations teams to implement. It was truly a collaborative design effort with our group and the support of their operations team as well who would be performing that work. I’m pleased to say that two years later, that circuit is one of the most dependable in their territory.

The partnership we held with our client was our innovative approach that led us to this cutting-edge solution for them. They trusted our assessment of the project and pushed to approve a solution they did not commonly use. Some of our clients are not yet on the “cutting edge” but it’s our job to listen to their needs and provide viable solutions with long-term results. 

This is just one example of how ENTRUST tries to listen to our client’s needs and provide a solution with long-term benefits and greater protection for their infrastructure. At ENTRUST, we use our broad team’s expertise to guide them to a solution they embrace that is both impactful and practical but at the same time creative/innovative and cost-effective. Whether that is through innovative technology or best practices, we are here to help.

A Look Into the Future with Kerry 

Kerry Emm’s journey with ENTRUST exemplifies the spirit of #PoweringTransformation. Starting 17 years ago as a drafter with no prior utility industry knowledge, she leveraged her education in Visual Communications and restaurant management experience, igniting a passion for electric distribution design. Today, as Vice President for the Northeast Region within Utility Services, Kerry leads design and engineering services across electric and gas sectors, from transmission to meter.

What sets Kerry apart is her unwavering commitment to leadership. Her focus is on empowering her team, ensuring they not only thrive but also inspire others with their talent and innovation. For Kerry, ENTRUST is an organization that not only adds value but also embraces the value each individual brings. Through her leadership, Kerry continues to drive ENTRUST’s mission forward, fostering a culture of growth and excellence for her team and clients alike.

#PoweringTransformation in the Smart Grid Arena

The energy industry has undergone significant changes in recent years, driven by the need to modernize aging infrastructure and adapt to emerging challenges. At ENTRUST, we are at the forefront of these advancements, playing a key role in implementing smart grid technologies like fault finders, reclosers, and trip savers that are transforming how power is delivered and maintained. But what specific challenges led to these innovations, and how are they shaping the future of the grid?

One of the primary drivers behind the development and deployment of smart grid measures is the pressing need to modernize an aging and outdated power grid. Much of the energy infrastructure in the U.S. and globally was built decades ago and is now struggling to keep up with modern demands. The introduction of renewable energy sources has added complexity, as intermittent power from solar and wind requires a more adaptable grid to balance supply and demand effectively.

Another major challenge has been the increasing frequency of severe weather events. From hurricanes to wildfires, these events put unprecedented stress on the power grid, leading to longer outages and more widespread service disruptions. Utilities now require smarter technologies to quickly isolate faults and reroute power to minimize downtime and protect communities.

Finally, cybersecurity threats have become a growing concern in the energy sector. As more systems are digitized, the risk of cyberattacks on critical infrastructure increases, making it crucial to have resilient, smart technologies that can monitor and protect grid operations in real-time.

Enhancing Grid Reliability with Fault Finders and Other Smart Technologies

Innovation has always been at the core of our mission. With a long-standing commitment to advancing the energy industry, we have consistently supported its clients in adopting new technologies to improve grid operations. As fault-finding and grid modernization technologies were integrated into the grid, we played a pivotal role in the planning, engineering, and design of these systems, ensuring seamless implementation.

Our approach is rooted in understanding each client’s unique challenges and delivering tailored solutions that not only address immediate needs but also position them for future success. From concept to execution, we have been a trusted partner in guiding utilities through their modernization journeys.

The implementation of smart grid technologies like fault finders and reclosers aligns perfectly with our broader mission of powering transformation across multiple sectors. We are dedicated to ensuring a stable and reliable power grid, and as technology evolves, so does our approach to helping clients navigate this complex landscape.

The integration of smart devices like fault finders, reclosers, and distribution automation equipment has been a game changer for grid reliability. These technologies not only help identify faults more quickly but also allow utilities to isolate affected areas, minimizing the number of customers impacted by outages.

For example, in Fault Location, Isolation, and Service Restoration (FLISR) projects, ENTRUST has helped clients deploy distribution automation systems that significantly reduce outage times. Through real-time monitoring and automated switching, FLISR systems can quickly reroute power around a fault, restoring service to unaffected areas in minutes instead of hours. This enhances customer satisfaction and reduces operational costs for utilities.

Fault finders and grid modernization equipment are not only about improving efficiency and reliability but also about contributing to the broader safety and sustainability goals of our projects. For instance, by isolating faults quickly, these technologies can prevent the kinds of cascading outages that have historically caused widespread disruptions. Additionally, in regions prone to wildfires, the ability to rapidly detect and isolate faults can reduce the risk of fires ignited by downed power lines, protecting both communities and ecosystems.

From our work in grid modernization to our involvement in renewable energy projects, ENTRUST is focused on delivering solutions that enhance efficiency, improve reliability, and support the overall safety and sustainability goals of our clients. We believe that these advancements will not only improve current grid operations but also pave the way for a more resilient and adaptable grid in the future.

Continuous Improvement Through Client Feedback: Collaborating for a Smarter Future

At ENTRUST, innovation is not a one-time event but an ongoing process fueled by continuous feedback from our clients. While this approach is not exclusive to smart grid technologies, it is particularly relevant in this area, where real-world performance and client input play a crucial role in the evolution of our services. We actively seek out and integrate client feedback to ensure that we continue delivering high-quality, cutting-edge solutions.

The future of the energy grid is bright, with fault-finding and grid modernization technologies set to play an even more significant role in enhancing reliability and sustainability. These technologies will help utilities reduce the risks associated with severe weather events, prevent widespread outages, and even mitigate potential wildfire hazards by isolating faults before they become major problems.

As the utility industry evolves, we are positioned to lead the way in helping clients adopt these transformative technologies. Our commitment to innovation, coupled with our comprehensive service offerings—from generation to distribution and beyond—ensures that we are well-equipped to meet the challenges of tomorrow.

At ENTRUST, we believe that collaboration is key to advancing smart grid technologies. Our commitment to working #BetterTogether with partners across sectors—including generation, renewables, and distribution—ensures that we can provide holistic solutions that meet the evolving needs of our clients.

author avatar
Mikaela TLM