Seven States Power Corporation

Valley Update: Tennessee Valley Corridor & USDA

Tue, 07 Apr 2026 18:19:27 GMT

Seven States Power Corporation President and CEO, Betsey Kirk McCall, attended the Tennessee Valley Corridor (TVC) Board of Directors meeting in Washington, DC on March 4, 2026, joining regional leaders to discuss economic development, infrastructure investment, and the TVC’s upcoming National Summit. The TVC brings together stakeholders from government, industry, and academia to strengthen the region’s competitiveness and support long-term growth. McCall’s participation reinforced Seven States’ commitment to collaborating with regional partners to ensure the Valley’s energy systems continue to support economic expansion and community prosperity.

During this visit, McCall also met with the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Rural Utilities Service staff to discuss additional federal financing opportunities that could support energy development across the Tennessee Valley. The conversation focused on Seven States’ request for nearly $6 billion in funding to acquire natural gas generation resources across the Valley. An additional $320 million could support distribution-scale Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS), helping utilities strengthen grid reliability and modernization of the region’s power infrastructure.

By strengthening relationships with federal leaders and advocating for policies that support growing energy demands in the Valley, McCall reinforced Seven States’ commitment to reliable, affordable and abundant power supply.

McCall plans to attend the TVC's National Summit on May 28-29, 2026 in Chattanooga, TN to highlight the region's growth for economic prosperity.

State Update: Advocacy at the Tennessee State Capitol

Tue, 07 Apr 2026 18:19:24 GMT

Seven States President & CEO, Betsey Kirk McCall, spent time at the Tennessee State Capitol on February 4, 2026, meeting with legislators including members of the Senate Energy, Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee, and the House Commerce Committee. A central focus of the meetings was providing an update on Seven States’ Energy Express project, an initiative designed to support growth in the Tennessee Valley with 220MW of battery storage. This project will be funded with a $439 million award by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Rural Utilities Service (USDA RUS) New ERA program.

McCall shared how Seven States will leverage federal financing opportunities, such as their USDA award of $439 million along with access to additional federal funds, to build or acquire generation and capacity to meet energy demand across the region, particularly as TVA navigates its debt constraints. She updated the legislators on how funding available to Seven States complements and amplifies TVA’s efforts to maintain a reliable energy system. By pairing federal financing with regional expertise in project deployment, Seven States can help utilities of all sizes move energy projects forward.

The Seven States team also successfully engaged in state-level advocacy efforts to help stop proposed legislation that would have imposed an additional tax on electric vehicle (EV) charging. Working alongside partners and stakeholders, Seven States communicated to lawmakers how the proposed tax could create unnecessary barriers to EV infrastructure development and slow innovation within Tennessee’s evolving energy and transportation sectors.

These advocacy efforts serve to refine and advance initiatives that impact a rapidly changing energy landscape. Together with partner LPCs, Seven States is building and energizing the grid of the future.

Federal Update: APPA Legislative Rally

Tue, 07 Apr 2026 18:19:22 GMT

Seven States Power Leadership traveled to Washington, D.C., February 23–25 to meet with members of the Tennessee Valley congressional delegation while attending the American Public Power Association (APPA) Legislative Rally with the nation’s public power electric utilities. Seven States Board Chair, Jeff Dykes, (CEO, BrightRidge) and President & CEO, Betsey Kirk McCall engaged with federal leaders to advocate for more power supply, educate on the flexible financing available to Seven States as a generation and transmission cooperative, and build relationships with federal representatives on key energy issues.

A central focus of the meetings was providing an update on Seven States’ Energy Express project, an initiative designed to support growth in the Tennessee Valley with 220MW of additional capacity. This project will be funded with a $439 million award by the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Rural Utilities Service.

McCall and Dykes also led discussions highlighting how Seven States serves as an in-Valley solution to the Tennessee Valley Authority’s current debt constraint challenges. Through its financing capabilities, Seven States can own utility-scale power plants and double the impact of TVA’s capital investments, thereby expanding production and modernizing grid infrastructure. McCall and Dykes worked to educate policymakers about how aligning objectives and encouraging the use of Seven States as a mechanism for short- and mid-term financing solutions can unleash American energy faster.

McCall plans to attend the NRECA Legislative Conference April 26 – 28 in Washington D.C. to continue these efforts with the nation’s electric cooperatives.

Michael Williford

Mon, 23 Mar 2026 22:25:27 GMT

Since taking the helm as CEO, Michael has been instrumental in delivering innovative processes and technologies that are ensuring a reliable energy future for the more than 25,000 consumers served by Newport Utilities.

Throughout his career, Michael has looked for opportunities to solve the most pressing needs within the energy sector. When asked about the most pressing needs for Newport Utilities, Michael stresses the need for reliability, visibility, and scalability. Solving for these needs translated into investments in grid hardening and automation, advanced metering infrastructure, SCADA modernization, and broadband expansion. Equally important was improving data integration across electric, water, wastewater, and broadband operations so they could move from reactive operations to predictive and preventative decision-making. Cybersecurity and resiliency—particularly for extreme weather events—were also critical priorities.

While Seven States has not been directly engaged with Newport Utilities’ innovation initiatives, Michael recognizes that entities like Seven States are valuable when they can demonstrate the ability to align innovation with operational reliability, affordability, and long-term community value.

When asked about what he would like for his customers to know about Newport Utilities’ role in bringing innovation forward he had this to say,

“Innovation at Newport Utilities is not about technology for its own sake—it is about improving service reliability, resilience, and affordability while positioning the community for long-term economic growth. Our role is to be a careful steward of customer dollars while making forward-looking investments that reduce outages, improve response times, enhance transparency, and support businesses, schools, and public safety. When done correctly, most of this innovation is invisible to customers—but they experience it through fewer disruptions and better service.”

Michael is excited about what the next five years holds for Newport Utilities. He is looking forward to expanded grid automation, advanced analytics driven by AMI and operational data, and deeper integration between electric, water, and broadband systems. Additionally, he believes battery storage, small-scale local energy production, and demand reduction programs will play an increasingly important role in enhancing reliability, lowering costs, and giving customers more control over their energy use. Ensure these technologies are deployed securely, cost-effectively, and in a way that maximizes community benefit while supporting economic development and long-term resilience is a priority.

As for advice Michael would give to a new GM or CEO?

Start with the problem, not the technology. Innovation should be tied directly to reliability, resilience, customer experience, or cost control. Build strong fundamentals first—governance, data quality, cybersecurity, and staff capability—before pursuing advanced solutions. Engage employees early, communicate clearly with customers and stakeholders, and be disciplined in measuring outcomes. Sustainable innovation is incremental, intentional, and aligned with the community’s long-term needs, not short-term trends.

Randy Carroll

Mon, 23 Mar 2026 22:24:07 GMT

As Chief Executive Officer of East Mississippi Electric Power Association (EMEPA), Randy leads by embracing technology with a focus on how it enhances the lives of the members served by EMEPA.

Over his 48 year career, Randy has moved teams through manual processes to personal computers, then to tablets, cell phones, and automated meter reading; each step significantly improving operational efficiency and service reliability.

Randy has been an integral leader in completing 3,850 miles of fiber to serve nearly 17,000 subscribers. Moreover, EMEPA also helped facilitate the installation of full backup generation at NAS Meridian and assisted in deploying solar generation paired with microgrid technology at the base. These efforts strengthened energy security and resilience for critical infrastructure in our community.

When asked about how Seven States has specifically helped support innovation in the EMEPA footprint Randy said,

“Seven States has been a tremendous partner by providing the technical knowledge, strategic guidance, and support necessary to bring these complex projects to life. Their expertise helped us evaluate opportunities, mitigate risk, and execute effectively, particularly in areas such as broadband expansion, backup generation, and microgrid deployment. Innovation requires both vision and competence, and Seven States has helped strengthen both within our organization.”

In a time of rapid introduction and adoption of innovation, Randy explains how EMEPA approaching ongoing implementation.

“I want our members to understand that implementing new technology is never done simply for the sake of technology. Every advancement we pursue is focused on making their service more reliable, sustainable, and resilient. Whether it is automated metering, fiber broadband, or microgrid support for critical facilities, our goal is always to improve the lives of the people we serve.”

As EMEPA looks ahead, they will explore how artificial intelligence enhances their operations and all the ways it will be used over the next five years to increase productivity, develop innovative solutions, and communicate more efficiently with their members.

As for advice Randy would give to a new GM or CEO?

“You often cannot fully understand the usefulness of a technology until you implement it and allow good employees to work with it. Innovation requires trust in your people and trust in the process. If you hire capable, mission-driven employees and give them the tools and freedom to explore new solutions, they will often exceed your expectations.”

LPCs Lend Support Through Winter Storm Fern

Wed, 18 Feb 2026 21:06:04 GMT

It’s easy to forget that the excitement of a potential “snow day” is not shared by everyone. Winter storms are felt differently depending on where you stand. When news of Winter Storm Fern first began to circulate, many of us debated whether it would amount to much at all—whether we’d “actually get any snow,” or whether the warnings would quietly fade away.

For our local power companies (LPCs), though, there is no room for debate.

Preparation begins long before the first snowflake falls. Crews mobilize. Capacity is recruited. Logistics are coordinated—meals, lodging, equipment—on the assumption that the storm will come, and that its impact could be catastrophic for the communities they serve. As Winter Storm Fern made her way across the Tennessee Valley, what unfolded in the weeks that followed was nothing short of remarkable.

The storm itself was a spectacle – both terrifying and beautiful. In its aftermath, we saw images of deep snowbanks, children sledding, and intricate ice formations clinging to trees and fences. But those of us in the energy industry understand the other side of that beauty—the weight of ice on lines, the strain on equipment, and the fragile balance that keeps electricity flowing.

Once again, we were reminded that society moves at the pace of electricity.

In the days after the storm passed, we witnessed something even more powerful than the weather itself: the best of our humanity. The people we are proud to work alongside woke up day after day, coffee in hand and hot stick over their shoulder, ready to face whatever challenge waited beyond the truck door—all so that power, and a sense of order, could be restored.

Was the work harder than expected? Probably.

Did it reaffirm what it means to put service above self? Without question.

While many of us remained sheltered at home, LPC crews from across the Valley stepped up.

They melted the storm inch by inch, knocking ice from lines and equipment so electricity could move again without the crushing weight pulling it back down.

They followed the sound of silence, tracing outages through snow-buried lines until they found a snapped conductor lying quiet in a ditch.

Bucket trucks crept through ice-locked streets, their booms lifting linemen into sleet-soaked darkness to replace shattered crossarms and transformers split by the cold.

The grid returned not all at once, but by touch—each repaired connection passed hand to hand through crews spread across miles of frozen ground.

As Mike Partin, President of the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association (NRECA) and President & CEO of Sequachee Valley Electric Coop, recently shared, “It’s more than a principle on paper—it’s a promise we live out when disaster strikes. These men and women leave their own families to help other families. They go wherever they’re needed, whenever they’re needed, without hesitation.”

And they were not alone. Businesses across the region stepped in as well, delivering hot meals—Taco Bell, Chick-fil-A, the unmistakable fuel of long days and longer nights.

Electricity and kindness—two commodities that can feel in short supply—were both restored through collective effort.

Moments like these force us to pause and reflect on the grit, resilience, and stamina that make our communities strong. Sometimes, Mother Nature reminds us not only of our vulnerabilities, but of our better angels.

Today, homes are warm. Restaurants are open. Kids are back in school. Life has returned to something resembling normalcy—because of the unity, sacrifice, and hard work of LPCs across the Tennessee Valley.

So we wanted to take a moment to simply say:

Thank you.

Four Key Takeaways from Seven States' Recent Energy Deployments

Wed, 18 Feb 2026 21:06:02 GMT

Seven States continues to deploy battery energy storage system (BESS) projects and advance regional infrastructure initiatives. Recent projects—including the Montgomery Bell State Park (MBSP) installation—have provided valuable lessons that are shaping our approach moving forward. From operational insights to market signals, these experiences are informing how we deliver value to our member utilities.

1. Experience
Our experience at MBSP confirmed that integrating battery storage into existing electric systems is well within current technical capabilities. The greater challenge lies in managing the additional workload alongside the daily priorities of utilities. Capturing lessons learned with each installation and applying them at scale to future projects allows each deployment to benefit from the last by reducing costs and increasing speed.

2. Performance tracks expectations
To date, system performance at MBSP has been reliable, with no material operational issues. Financial results are also aligning with projections, reinforcing confidence in the technology itself. The primary risk areas are: forecasting peak demand and scheduling dispatch accurately to capture expected value—an operational nuance that becomes increasingly important as storage portfolios grow. Demand reduction assets are best served to be installed at reliable grid locations, which tend to be distribution substations, to minimize operational downtime due to extrinsic factors.

3. Integration impacts performance
While standalone battery controllers can manage basic operations, deeper system integration delivers meaningful benefits. In particular, SCADA integration can significantly reduce the risk of missing peak events by improving visibility and responsiveness. This lesson is informing how Seven States designs future BESS projects, ensuring storage assets are fully integrated into utility operations rather than standalone resources.

4. Interest in BESS is growing
Across the region, the market for battery storage and Reliability as a Service is shifting from early skepticism to informed curiosity. Utility interest continues to rise, though many are waiting for greater clarity before moving forward. Key sources of hesitation include uncertainty around TVA rates, evolving TVA programs, and open questions related to federal tariffs and tax policy. As these issues come into focus, we expect interest to translate into action.

Together, these takeaways are guiding Seven States as we advance upcoming BESS projects and broader infrastructure initiatives. By applying proven lessons, prioritizing integration, and maintaining a regional focus, we are building a more resilient and flexible energy future for the communities we serve.

A path for more energy in the Valley

Sun, 15 Feb 2026 11:37:07 GMT

Chattanooga Times Free Press | 15 Feb 2026 | BY SEVEN STATES POWER CORPORATION BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Demand for energy is climbing while extreme weather events like Winter Storm Fern and Winter Storm Elliott continue to challenge an already constrained electric system. Fortunately, there is a ready-now solution. Seven States Power Corporation is a cooperative designed to help meet demand for affordable, abundant and reliable power.

Since the 1930s, the Tennessee River Valley has thrived under a vital network of the wholesale power provider — the Tennessee Valley Authority — and the electric utility customers that together form the public power model. More than 150 electric utility customers distribute affordable energy across a seven-state region of Tennessee, Alabama, Georgia, Mississippi, Kentucky, Virginia and North Carolina.

In 2007, TVA and the electric utilities joined forces to form Seven States as an in-valley solution to finance power assets, expand energy production and modernize infrastructure.

THE ‘IN-VALLEY’ SOLUTION

Seven States is a nonprofit generation and transmission cooperative headquartered in Chattanooga. It is member-owned by the electric utility customers of TVA across the seven-state region. The cooperative is uniquely positioned to operate outside established debt constraints and regulatory limitations that restrict other entities.

This means Seven States can own large power plants and transmission towers, which frees up debt for TVA to build and operate more power supply. When the electric utility customers collectively own assets through Seven States, it also ensures that rates in the region remain affordable. This flexibility allows Seven States to move quickly to supplement the valley’s energy needs with reliable sources of power.

In January 2025, Seven States was awarded $439 million by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, consisting of a zero-interest loan and grant to build new capacity. The first initiative under this award is a utility-scale power project that will enhance grid stability and reliability, benefits that can be shared across the valley. Where demand for capital and power are soaring, Seven States makes it happen.

Seven States has a proven history of filling critical gaps when needed. One of its earliest projects with TVA was financing a large power asset — an 800-megawatt gas plant located in Southaven, Mississippi. By partnering with Seven States, the energy sector can nearly double its capital investment to accelerate generation projects. Where finances are constrained, Seven States makes it happen.

In addition, Seven States has stepped up to deliver distribution technologies that bridge the past, present and future of a modern energy grid.

With projects deployed across the valley at the U.S. Space & Rocket Center in Huntsville, Alabama, Dollywood Parks and Resorts in Pigeon Forge, Montgomery Bell State Park in Burns, Tennessee, Rock City in Lookout Mountain, Georgia, and the National Corvette Museum in Bowling Green, Kentucky, and with more than 500 electric vehicle chargers installed to date, Seven States has proactively advanced infrastructure to support economic development across the region. Where innovation and infrastructure are needed, Seven States makes it happen.

In July 2025, the Seven States Board of Directors — representing 17 major electric utilities that purchase power from TVA — unanimously passed a resolution affirming Seven States as an additional supplier of abundant, reliable energy within the valley. By advancing an in-valley solution owned by the customers, the public power model can thrive and evolve from within, guided by those who know the region best.

Seven States has built a foundation for the energy future through its cooperative structure and access to affordable capital. It represents a real opportunity to expand power production and light the way for prosperity across the Valley.

Energy Express Project Update

Sat, 14 Feb 2026 21:05:57 GMT

The Seven States Energy Express Project—supported through the USDA New ERA Program—represents a transformative investment in energy for the Tennessee Valley region. This initiative reflects the federal government’s commitment to accelerating energy development while strengthening grid reliability and economic development.

Over the past year, Seven States Power Corporation was awarded a $415 million zero-interest loan and a $24 million grant by USDA. Demand for electricity is growing at an unprecedented pace, and this funding will add 220MW of capacity to the Valley.

Fortunately, the Tennessee Valley is uniquely positioned to lead and serve as a national model for how advanced energy ecosystems are built. Seven States has been working closely with USDA and partners across federal, state, and local levels to ensure alignment, efficiency, and thoughtful deployment of this once-in-a-generation funding opportunity.

All Energy Express Project assets will be owned, operated, and maintained by Seven States Power Corporation, ensuring long-term local stewardship, accountability, and operational excellence. The project will provide LPCs with a flexible energy resource to enhance grid reliability and support economic development.

We recently advanced the first of three major project milestones with the successful submission of the Community Benefits Plan to USDA. In the months ahead, the project will progress through environmental review and underwriting processes, followed by procurement.

As the Energy Express powers forward, it stands as more than an infrastructure project—it is a strategic investment in the future of the Tennessee Valley. By pairing federal funding with regional growth, Seven States is helping ensure that our power supply is abundant, reliable, and prepared for tomorrow’s energy demands.

Seven States Power Corporation and Sevier County Electric System Unveil 14 EV Charging Ports at Dollywood

Fri, 13 Feb 2026 17:14:33 GMT

PIGEON FORGE, Tenn. — October 3, 2025 — Seven States Power Corporation (Seven States), in partnership with Sevier County Electric System (SCES), and Dollywood is proud to announce the ribbon cutting and official unveiling of 7 new electric vehicle (EV) charging stations with 14 charging ports, and 10 solar-powered umbrella charging units at Dollywood, one of the nation’s leading theme park destinations.

The new EV charging stations mark another exciting step forward in advancing transportation infrastructure to support the growing demand for electric vehicles in East Tennessee. Designed, developed, and deployed by Seven States, the project reflects a commitment to innovation, community partnership, and serving Dollywood guests. The ten solar-powered umbrellas will be installed in the Country Fair area, providing guests with a convenient place to charge their devices while they enjoy watching ride goers from the comfort of the shade.

“Dollywood is a treasured landmark for families and visitors from across the country,” said Betsey Kirk McCall, President and CEO of Seven States. “We are honored to partner with SCES and Dollywood to deliver technology that adds convenience for guests while enhancing innovation in the region.”

The addition of the charging stations and umbrellas highlight the shared vision of Seven States Power and SCES to expand access to energy solutions across the region. SCES provides electric power to more than 61,000 customers across Sevier County, Tennessee. As a locally owned public power utility, SCES has served the community for over 80 years with a focus on reliability, affordability, customer service, and innovation.

“These projects represent our commitment to supporting innovation to meet the needs of our community. By working together, we’re helping ensure that both residents and visitors have access to the energy solutions of tomorrow, right here in Sevier County," said Allen Robbins, CEO of SCES.

The ribbon cutting ceremony celebrates not only the completion of these projects, but also the growing collaboration between local utilities, community partners, and attractions to create a more modern energy future for Tennessee.

“This partnership with Seven States and Sevier County Electric highlights the importance of regional collaboration to build infrastructure that supports both the local community and the millions of visitors to the Great Smoky Mountains each year. By investing in this technology, we are helping pave the way for a more sustainable future, while reinforcing our role as a leader in both the tourism industry and the community we call home," said Eugene Naughton, Dollywood Parks & Resorts President. “These investments further enhance our guest experience by providing services to help meet two emerging needs of those who visit.”

The charging stations will be available for use to patrons in the Preferred Parking Lot of Dollywood Theme Park beginning October 6, 2025 while the umbrellas are available for use immediately.

Ray Hardin

Mon, 15 Dec 2025 19:02:58 GMT

Leading Decatur Utilities as General Manager, Ray Hardin strives to ensure their system is prepared for the future with innovative solutions. We asked him to share some of the ways he’s implemented technology in his LPC’s footprint.

“Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) has helped us improve efficiency, maintenance, and long-term planning, while providing customers with usage data through the customer portal that enables them to look for ways to reduce their energy consumption and their cost. AMI has also integrated with the Outage Management and GIS Systems to improve outage tracking and reduce system downtime. We’ve also leveraged Demand Voltage Reduction technology to reduce the wholesale cost of electricity to keep customer rates as low as possible. And over several years, we have implemented LED streetlights throughout the City of Decatur, replacing less efficient lighting and saving the city on lighting costs.”

Ray knows his LPC is responsible for the present and future of his community’s needs, and he wants his community to know that he strategically evaluates new technology with a long-term vision.

“I want our customer to know that through our implementation of AMI, improved communications, Demand Voltage Reduction and other programs, we continue to look for ways to keep our system safe and reliable and provide the best service to our community at the lowest possible rates.”

With so much technological advancement in the Valley, Ray encourages fellow leaders to lean on strategic partnerships to help bring about community change and benefits using cost-efficient solutions.

“Don't go it alone! Seven States, TVA and other agencies bring a wealth of resources that can be leveraged to bring innovation to a local community without breaking budgets. For example, Decatur Utilities was able to install two Level 3 Rapid EV Chargers in our community through a partnership with the City of Decatur, TVA, Seven States, and ADECA. It would have been difficult for us to justify the cost of such a project on our own - but through this partnership, the cost was shared while the benefit to our customers and communities is enormous. Seek out those opportunities for shared funding that will benefit your local area and lean on others who have already researched or implement innovative technologies to get their ideas and advice.”

Brian Childers

Mon, 15 Dec 2025 19:01:10 GMT

As Chief Information Officer for North Georgia Electric Membership Corporation (NGEMC), Brian Childers knows how crucial innovative partnerships and technology are in preparing for the grid of the future.

Brian’s extensive experience has given him a deep understanding of technological diversity and strategic partnerships. We asked him to share some of the ways their team brought innovation to the North Georgia EMC membership, as well as his experience with Seven States as a trusted partner.

“The most needed technology developments in our footprint focused on improving reliability, security, and member service. Upgrades to SCADA systems enhanced grid monitoring and automation, allowing faster outage detection and restoration. Cybersecurity improvements were critical to safeguarding member data and ensuring uninterrupted service. Mobile workforce tools streamlined field operations, enabling quicker response times to outages and service requests. Additionally, the installation of distribution system sectionalizing equipment, supported by fiber expansion, improved fault isolation and communication across the network, significantly reducing outage durations and strengthening overall system reliability for our members. Seven States has helped our LPC support innovation by providing access to emerging technologies and collaborative opportunities. They also share best practices that keep us aligned with industry advancements and prepared for future member needs.”

Brian always considers how their members view NGEMC’s investments in innovation.

“I want our members to know that our role in innovation is centered on improving their quality of life and ensuring reliable, secure, and efficient service. We invest in technologies like advanced grid automation, fiber-supported communication systems, and modern outage management tools to deliver faster restoration, better reliability, and enhanced security. Every innovation we pursue is designed to strengthen our community—whether by reducing outage times, enabling smarter energy solutions, or supporting future connectivity needs. Our commitment is to keep members at the heart of every technology decision we make.”

Brian has learned that being plugged into your community and knowing their needs is fundamental to being an innovative leader. He offered this advice to others who might have questions about how to start bringing innovation to their LPC.

“NGEMC’s territory includes communities served by multiple power providers, which limits large-scale community investments. Because of this, innovation should focus on projects that deliver clear, measurable benefits to members. Prioritize technologies that improve reliability while helping keep rates affordable. Stay informed on emerging trends like energy storage and flexible rate options while communicating openly with members to encourage adoption. Above all, maintain a long-term vision that balances innovation with financial responsibility, ensuring every investment strengthens member trust and delivers lasting value.”

Seven States Power Corporation Explores Power Generation Initiative for Memphis and the Tennessee Valley

Fri, 07 Nov 2025 18:39:27 GMT

September 27, 2025

Seven States Power Corporation (Seven States) is exploring opportunities to deliver new power generation to the Tennessee Valley. The effort is bolstered by a landmark $415 million zero-interest loan and $24 million grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Utilities Service (USDA RUS), designed to meet the growing demand for power while strengthening grid reliability. The opportunity signals a creative solution toward advancing American Energy Dominance in the southeast region.

“We are excited to get underway with this first of what we hope will be a number of USDA-assisted projects across the Tennessee Valley,” said Betsey Kirk McCall, President and CEO of Seven States Power Corporation. “We understand this initiative aligns with national priorities on energy dominance and security.”

The project is intended to use domestically produced solar panels and battery storage that tie into the electric grid, generating a new source of affordable solar power for residential and commercial customers and providing a new source of stored energy that can be used to meet peak demands as needed. The project is proposed to be constructed on industrial land owned by the Economic Development Growth Engine (EDGE) and subleased to Seven States.

“MLGW is supporting Seven States in this effort by exploring the feasibility of this project as a way to strengthen and modernize our grid to create greater reliability for our customers and potentially help us maintain some of the lowest electric rates in the country,” said Doug McGowen, President and CEO of MLGW.

A subleasing arrangement approved by EDGE is the first step toward this innovative solution. Seven States and MLGW will continue to assess the best technical and contractual path forward to delivering more than 200MW of solar generation and battery storage. This collaboration illustrates how federal funding, coupled with local partnership, can accelerate how energy is generated and transmitted to strengthen the grid. This new generation could serve a growing Shelby County and Tennessee Valley by December 2027.

###

About Seven States: Seven States Power Corporation is a generation and transmission cooperative with a mission to leverage innovative technology to design, develop, and deploy energy solutions, together with more than 100 member-owner local power companies, across the Tennessee Valley. A key aspect of Seven States’ formation was the ability to finance utility-scale generation assets, expand energy production, and modernize infrastructure to support the growing grid.

About MLGW: MLGW is the nation's largest three-service municipal utility, serving more than 440,000 customers. Since 1939, MLGW has met the utility needs of Memphis and Shelby County residents by delivering reliable and affordable electricity, natural gas, and water service.

Driving Electric in Tennessee Just Got Easier

Thu, 02 Oct 2025 14:06:26 GMT

Cleveland Utilities connects Cleveland to Fast Charge TN and regional Fast Charge Network

Cleveland, TN – Cleveland Utilities (CU) is unleashing American energy by installing six fast chargers at its main campus parking lot located at 2450 Guthrie Avenue as part of Fast Charge TN, a partnership between the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) and the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation (TDEC), and Seven States Power Corporation.

This foundational network of public fast charging stations along interstates and major highways is focused on both urban and rural communities, and has grown to over 100 charging stations at more than 50 locations. Access to reliable and cost-effective charging is critical to consumers considering EVs. This voluntary program enables local communities to provide additional refueling options for residents and travelers, supporting local businesses near charging locations.

“We prioritized participating in Fast Charge TN because we want to make it easy for people to choose EVs helping our community benefit from the environmental and economic benefits of electric transportation,” said Tim O. Henderson, President/CEO of CU. The funding from TVA and TDEC made it possible for CU to add fast chargers in our community by providing 80% of the project cost.”

TVA and TDEC have brought together local power companies, state and local government partners, and others to support residents who choose to go electric. The benefits of EVs to the Tennessee Valley region are significant:

Economic development : The Tennessee Valley has attracted significant investment in electric automotive manufacturing, with over 14,000 related jobs created in the past decade.

Environmental considerations : Each EV in our region can reduce carbon emissions by utilizing TVA’s diverse energy portfolio, which is one of the lowest-carbon power systems in the nation.

· Consumer savings : Drivers realize fuel and maintenance cost savings from EVs, and local refueling contributes $120 million to the local economy.

“At TVA, we’ve moved far beyond connecting communities with power lines,” said Monika Beckner, vice president of TVA EnergyRight. “Today, EVs use our clean, low-cost, reliable electricity to connect communities and commerce across our region. Supporting the expansion of EV charging infrastructure allows TVA to save drivers money and attract good jobs and tourism – all powered by electricity from TVA and your local power company.”

“Tennessee’s air is cleaner as measured by federal air quality standards than it has been in generations, and a clean environment helps drive economic development,” TDEC Deputy Commissioner Greg Young said. “TDEC is partnering with TVA and Cleveland Utilities on the development of this station to continue Tennessee’s environmental and economic momentum while further entrenching our state as the epicenter of the electric vehicle transition.”

“Seven States is trusted by local power companies across the Tennessee Valley to deliver EV charging technology for their consumers,” said Betsey Kirk McCall, President and CEO of Seven States Power Corporation. “Impactful partnerships like this benefit the local community, regional economy and global environment for years to come.”

“This charging location does more than charge cars -- it connects Cleveland to the Fast Charge Network and plays an important role in putting our region on the leading edge of the new electric economy,” said Henderson.

To learn more about the Fast Charge Network, explore cost differences between vehicle types, or locate EV charging stations on your travel route, check out EnergyRight.com/ev .

Additional information about Fast Charge TN is available at TN.gov/EVFastCharge .

Kendall Bear

Mon, 29 Sep 2025 16:48:26 GMT

With his extensive experience in the industry, Kendall Bear’s leadership as General Manager of Rockwood Electric Utility has given him the opportunity to ensure his community is prepared for the future.

“Although we’ve had many of the following systems implemented for a few years now, looking back, I would say that building a fiber network between our main office and our substations has been beneficial in a variety of ways for Rockwood Electric. This opened the door for additional technology developments such as AMI, SCADA, distribution automation, Dispatchable Voltage Regulation, a 900 Mhz radio system, and a Meter Data Management System.

Implementing a GIS system was extremely valuable as well, as we are now able to export that information to other systems such as Outage Management. We have a business and customer portal from CSA that is used extensively by our employees and customers—everyone really benefits from it.”

Kendall knows his LPC is responsible for both the present and future of his community’s needs, and he wants his community to know that he is always looking for ways to better their lives.

“We are working very hard to provide a reliable power supply to all our customers and using these different technologies helps us manage the power system. We want to be able to provide real-time information to our customers; something they would not normally have access to without these technologies. I would also want our community to know that we are their ‘trusted energy advisor’ and every employee at Rockwood Electric is committed to helping them make good decisions about the power they use.”

With so much technological advancement in the Valley, Kendall encourages fellow leaders to make a strategic plan and collaborate with their peers.

“The possibilities for innovation are almost endless, and there are a variety of products that are offered by many vendors. It is more than a little overwhelming! I would encourage a new GM to develop a strategic plan if the utility doesn’t already have one that is up-to-date. This may involve getting input from the many stakeholders in the community. After prioritizing your goals, get to work. Finally, I would tell a new GM to talk to his or her peers and colleagues a LOT. They will tell you what they have done that has been a colossal flop so you’ll know to avoid it, or they will tell you what they have been successful with. I guarantee every manager will share their story if you ask.”

Marty Ivy

Mon, 29 Sep 2025 16:48:18 GMT

Marty Ivy knows that when it comes to the energy industry, innovative partnerships and technology help prepare everyone for the unexpected.

Leading Mayfield Electric and Water System as General Superintendent, Marty has overcome his community’s fair share of devastating weather events. His experienced leadership has allowed him to place an emphasis on technological diversity and preparedness. We asked him to share his experience with various projects with Seven States:

“Most recently, Seven States helped us develop an RFP and select a 1.3-megawatt solar installation that we’re preparing to deploy. Projects like this take time, but once it’s in place, it will serve as our generation to help offset TVA’s requirement. Seven States has also been a major supporter for us in mutual aid during disasters. We’ve had three FEMA events — the remnants of Hurricane Ike in 2008, the ice storm in 2009, and the tornadoes in 2021. So, between disaster recovery and now helping us with solar, Seven States has really been there for us. That’s what makes partnership so valuable — you all make things easier, and we see you not just as partners but as friends who help keep our communities strong. We’re grateful for that support and excited about the projects still to come.”

To Marty, the most important thing he wants his members to know is that every decision is made with their needs in mind.

“Mayfield Electric and Water System strives to be an efficient and innovative utility while managing both reliability and rates. That’s really what it comes down to — being reliable and keeping costs low for our customers. We’ve already seen how innovation can transform our operations. For example, our customer service representatives have been amazed at how much new technology has improved our outage management system. It’s made responding to customers easier, faster, and far more efficient, especially during storms. There’s so much potential we haven’t even discovered yet in the Valley.”

With 34 years of industry experience, Marty knows that change is inevitable. He offered this advice to general managers who might be wondering where to start when it comes to bringing innovation to their LPC.

“The best advice I can give anyone is this: you can’t effectively manage what you don’t know. That’s why technology is so important — it puts knowledge of your system right at your fingertips. My advice is, don’t be afraid of change. I’ve been with Mayfield Electric and Water System for 34 years, serving as manager since 2001. Over that time, I’ve seen the industry cycle and evolve about every five years. The one constant is that change always comes, and if you’re afraid of it, you’ll get left behind. So, for future managers and anyone in this industry, my advice is to dive in, get your feet wet, and embrace the changes that move us forward.”

Powering the Present and Shaping the Future

Tue, 09 Sep 2025 19:42:32 GMT

In today’s rapidly evolving landscape, the energy ecosystem is more complex—and more essential—than ever. Every community, every business, and every innovation depends on reliable, affordable, and abundant power. At Seven States, we recognize this ecosystem—past, present, and future—is critical to unleashing American energy and empowering the Tennessee Valley.

Many different forms of energy play a vital role in fueling today’s industries. From nuclear, coal, and natural gas plants that provide baseload reliability, to solar and battery storage that deliver power quickly to the grid, America can dominate this industry and lead globally given the abundant resources and technological advancements present in our country.

At the core of our cooperative work is a mission that is as straightforward as it is powerful: megawatts. From the Southaven combined cycle gas plant we co-owned with TVA to the $439 million funding award we received earlier this year from USDA, Seven States has always been laser-focused on building and owning capacity of all sizes that deliver real, measurable impact. Our relationship with USDA opens the door to more potential funding for the Valley. As such, we have submitted for consideration additional funding requests up to $5.6 billion in financing capacity to acquire 4,000MW of utility-scale natural gas units and another $320 million to deploy 300MW of distribution-scale battery storage on 75+ project sites. By working incrementally with each customer and at-scale across the Valley, we are empowering our member-owner LPCs to meet consumer demand in an evolving utility marketplace.

As a reminder, Seven States was awarded a $414 million zero-interest loan and $25 million grant to built utility-scale power generation in the Valley. Of note, while other projects throughout the Valley have been impacted by recent federal funding changes, the USDA New ERA funds awarded to Seven States remain intact and the project is progressing forward with a new site.

Our mission is not just about preparing for the future; it’s about building the here and now. New power generation, reliability as a service, transportation infrastructure, and grid modernization are not concepts on a drawing board—they are real projects, powering homes, businesses, and institutions today. By anchoring innovation in present action, we ensure that the Tennessee Valley doesn’t just keep pace with change but sets a fast pace for energy leadership.

In the end, understanding the energy ecosystem means recognizing its depth, complexity, and interdependence. At Seven States Power, we embrace that complexity as our opportunity—to deliver megawatts, unleash American energy, support economic development, and to lead the Valley into an energy future that honors where we’ve been while advancing where we must go.

Investment Tax Credits: 7 Takeaways for New Projects

Tue, 09 Sep 2025 15:05:19 GMT

Investment Tax Credits (ITCs) remain one of the most effective tools available to local power companies (LPCs) and private businesses looking to accelerate energy infrastructure investments. With recent federal legislation revising eligibility and critical deadlines approaching, the time is now to use ITCs toward planned projects.

Seven States has closely monitored every stage of legislative changes to the ITC policies, ensuring that project partners stay informed on evolving opportunities and risks. Beyond tracking policy shifts, Seven States has actively advocated for protecting ITC provisions to our federal, state, and local delegations, reinforcing their long-term value for the communities they serve.

Following the passage of the One Big Beautiful Bill and subsequent changes by Treasury, here are seven key takeaways on how to utilize ITC to lower costs for anticipated solar and battery storage projects. Seven States recently completed its ITC registration of a battery storage asset and is prepared to guide project partners through these opportunities, as well as offer technical expertise, project management, and financing coordination to maximize every dollar of value.

1. Don’t Miss Critical Deadlines
Timing is essential when it comes to ITCs. Credit rates often decline over time, and most projects must meet “begin construction” requirements by July 4, 2025 to secure the highest incentives. Proper documentation is essential to qualify. Seven States helps members stay ahead of these timelines with expert guidance on compliance, permitting, and project execution.

2. Battery Storage Projects Remain Eligible
One of the most impactful updates to ITC policy is the protection of standalone battery storage. Moreover, ITCs help make solar-plus-storage a practical reality. These solutions provide load management, outage resilience, and support for emerging operational integrations. Seven States offers the know-how to design and finance these systems, helping members capture the full benefits.

3. Solar Projects Remain Eligible
Solar energy continues to be one of the biggest beneficiaries of ITCs. By covering a significant portion of upfront costs, ITCs make solar projects more affordable and financially attractive for LPCs and businesses. This enables owners to grow their generation portfolios, reduce risk, and deliver cost savings to end users. Pairing ITCs with Seven States’ technical expertise ensures solar installations are optimized for performance and long-term community benefit.

4. Be aware of Foreign Entities of Concern (FEOC) Policies
Recent updates to federal policy now restrict the use of ITCs for projects that source equipment or materials from “foreign entities of concern,” such as China. This shift makes supply chain diligence more critical than ever, as project owners must carefully select vendors and partners to ensure ITC eligibility and avoid costly disqualifications. Seven States can help navigate these evolving requirements by vetting technology providers, coordinating compliant procurement strategies, and reducing the risk of ineligibility—ensuring projects move forward with confidence and maximum financial benefit.

5. Financing Complexity Requires Expertise
Navigating ITC rules, financing structures, and transferability provisions is not simple. The upside is substantial, but so is the complexity. Seven States provides the expertise needed to manage these elements, from structuring deals and securing tax equity to coordinating compliance.

6. The Cost of Waiting Is High
Between phasedown schedules, rising project costs, and supply chain constraints, waiting to act can mean missing out on millions in incentives. Project Owners that move quickly will lock in higher ITC rates, secure financing on favorable terms, and be first in line for limited equipment and contractor availability. Seven States is ready to help move projects from planning to implementation before windows close.

7. Seven States Is Your ITC Partner
Seven States brings deep technical knowledge and financial coordination expertise. As a trusted partner, Seven States can help LPCs and businesses identify the right projects, capture available incentives, and deliver more reliable energy at a lower cost. The time to act is now—and with Seven States, you don’t have to navigate the ITC landscape alone.

Seven States Celebrates 4 New EV Charger Installations with Tri-County EMC

Fri, 05 Sep 2025 00:54:21 GMT

On September 4, 2025, Tri-County EMC, in partnership with Seven States Power Corporation, TVA, TDEC, and Tennessee Tech University celebrated the ribbon cutting of 4 new EV Fast Chargers, marking another step forward in building transportation infrastructure which supports the numerous auto manufacturers in the area. These stations provide EV drivers with the ability to charge quickly and conveniently.

The installation of these new charging stations represents not only an investment in technology but also an investment in the communities served by Tri-County EMC. By offering reliable, high-speed charging, the cooperative is making it easier for residents, visitors, and businesses to travel, commute, and explore all their community has to offer. The project showcases the power of collaboration between local power companies and Seven States Power Corporation in driving innovation across the Tennessee Valley to support economic development and growth of the region.

Seven States Advances Energy Solutions for the Valley in Washington, D.C.

jbradshaw@7spc.com (Jessica Bradshaw) — Wed, 25 Jun 2025 20:34:09 GMT

Seven States Power Corporation’s Board Chairman, Jeff Dykes, and President & CEO, Betsey Kirk McCall, met with Congressional leaders earlier this summer as part of a strategic initiative to advance funding to install technologies that make power more efficient, reliable, and abundant. Dykes and McCall sought to amplify the need for greater federal support to Tennessee Valley LPCs for increasing America’s energy infrastructure during a time where creative options are needed against the backdrop of unprecedented growth.

A primary objective of the trip was to listen to legislators’ areas of focus and educate the leaders on how Seven States supports the Valley through times of transition. Many LPCs have voiced concerns over the volume of requests they are receiving to supply energy to data centers. Dykes and McCall emphasized the opportunities Investment Tax Credits (ITC) and alternative financing provide for accelerating large-scale projects that can supply this growing demand for energy.

To date, more than 1200 data centers are in development across the U.S. that will consume an estimated 149.6 -239.3 TWH annually. That represents the equivalent of 15-25 large nuclear plants running continuously to supply the need. Dykes and McCall stressed how cooperatives like Seven States can leverage funding models that alleviate the capital outlays for and accelerate construction of projects that can accommodate the expected growth in the Valley over the next decade from these data centers.

“It will take LPCs, TVA, communities, companies, and developers working together on such projects to meet the need and keep the lights on,” said Dykes.

“We understand that these data centers represent an opportunity for investment in the region. These dollars will improve communities and attract high quality economic development prospects. We want to ensure our member LPCs and TVA are supported and prepared to deliver this opportunity to the Valley,” said McCall.

Dykes and McCall also underscored that Seven States was created by LPCs, in partnership with TVA, as a strategic solution to TVA’s debt ceiling limitations—without amending the TVA Act. From 2007 to 2013, Seven States became the first —and remains the only— LPC-led organization to successfully negotiate a sale/leaseback agreement with TVA to co-own a utility-scale generation asset: the Southaven 800MW Combined Cycle Gas Plant. This makes Seven States uniquely qualified as an in-Valley solution to finance and co-own generation assets with TVA.

“Seven States was created for moments like this. We often serve as the designer or developer, deploying capital and project management expertise to build reliable or advanced energy infrastructure on behalf of LPCs. This allows LPCs to avoid the burden of raising capital or navigating complex regulatory issues,” said McCall.

Another key focus of the trip was to share project updates on the $439 million in funding secured earlier this year through the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s New ERA program. Dykes and McCall outlined how this investment will be used to deliver 250MWs of additional power—aligning with national priorities on energy dominance and security. While in Washington, the team also met directly with USDA officials to provide a progress report on the project.

“We are at a pivotal moment where federal partnerships can accelerate the progress our members are already making,” McCall said. “Our goal is to ensure their contributions—and their challenges—are clearly understood as Congress shapes the future of energy policy.”

More recently, McCall was also in the area conducting meetings during President Trump’s One Big Beautiful Bill event where Zach Stewart of Sequachee Valley Electric Cooperative was among those recognized for their service to the nation in the energy industry. McCall was on site as the new Rural Utilities Services Administrator at USDA, Karl Elmshaeuser, was announced. McCall met with Christopher McClean, former Acting RUS Administrator as part of a series of meetings to further map project details related to the $439 million awarded to Seven States by USDA.

By engaging directly with lawmakers and federal agencies, Dykes and McCall are working to ensure that regulatory frameworks reflect on-the-ground realities. These Washington outreach efforts reinforce Seven States’ commitment to building an energy system that is affordable, reliable, and future-focused. Dykes and McCall expect continued conversations throughout the year as the Valley’s energy future takes shape.

Food Bank Receives Plan for Energy Upgrades

Wed, 25 Jun 2025 15:05:58 GMT

Seven States recently had the privilege of partnering with the Chattanooga Area Food Bank to provide consulting support for energy efficiency upgrades at their main distribution facility. Serving 20 counties across Southeast Tennessee and Northwest Georgia, the Food Bank distributed over 15 million pounds of food last year—equivalent to more than 12 million meals for families in need. With such a vital and energy-intensive operation, improving energy performance means more resources can go directly toward feeding the region.

Our team conducted a comprehensive energy assessment, identifying key opportunities to reduce utility costs through more efficient lighting, refrigeration, and HVAC systems. These recommendations are expected to cut energy use by up to 25%, translating into substantial cost savings over time. By optimizing energy performance, the Chattanooga Area Food Bank can reinvest those savings into expanding food access, enhancing logistics, and continuing their mission to eliminate hunger and promote healthier communities.

This collaboration not only underscores the connection between energy efficiency and social good, but also highlights how thoughtful upgrades can deliver lasting value for mission-driven organizations. We're proud to support the Food Bank’s critical work and look forward to seeing the positive ripple effects of this project across the communities they serve.

Jeff Newman

Thu, 19 Jun 2025 14:28:52 GMT

Leading Forked Deer Electric Cooperative as General Manager & CEO, Jeff Newman has firsthand knowledge of how vital technology is to the Valley and what a difference it has made in his community.

“In our footprint, two of the most critical technology developments were broadband expansion and system automation. Bringing our system up-to-date has been a top priority, and that started with implementing SCADA across the network—a process that’s still ongoing. SCADA has already made a significant difference by improving our ability to detect and respond to outages quickly, which greatly reduces downtime for our members. On the broadband side, we now serve over 6,800 folks, which represents a substantial portion of our total meters. In a rural area like ours, access to high-speed internet isn’t just a convenience, it’s a necessity. It’s been a game changer, and the revenue from broadband has helped stabilize our electric rates by offsetting the need for larger increases. So, these technology developments haven’t just modernized our infrastructure—they’ve directly improved quality of life and economic resilience for the people we serve.”

As the Valley continues to evolve and technology changes, Jeff views Seven States as a trusted partner that can help LPCs find the best fit for their community.

“The biggest thing for us, as a rural utility, was having someone to help us get connected with the right people—whether that’s suppliers, vendors, or experts. We really leaned on Seven States for that support because, honestly, we didn’t even know where to begin. Every utility is different, and there’s no one-size-fits-all solution. You have to do what makes sense for your system and your community. A cookie-cutter approach just doesn’t work in this industry, and Seven States knows how to tailor a project or service to fit your exact needs.”

Jeff’s advice to GMs who want to bring innovation to their communities is to stay open to progress by listening, learning, and ensuring new ideas truly serve the needs of the ratepayers.

“I don’t take credit for the changes we’ve made, but progress happens when you don’t stand in its way. It’s important to evaluate new ideas carefully, make sure they align with your system’s needs, and support what makes sense. The key is to always consider what’s best for your LPC or co-op—and not become an obstacle to improvement.”

###

Brittany Davis

Thu, 19 Jun 2025 14:26:40 GMT

Serving McMinnville Electric System (MES) as General Manager, Brittany Davis leads her team with an eye on the grid of the future, and her expertise has given her an opportunity to set her community’s infrastructure up for long-term, sustainable success.

“We are prioritizing critical infrastructure enhancements, including the reconstruction of two existing substations and the addition of a third to support increasing load demands. The new substation is designed not only to absorb future growth but also to provide contingency support, enhancing system reliability during both planned and unplanned maintenance events. Systemwide voltage regulation upgrades are also essential to improve operational efficiency and grid stability. Additionally, the completion of our distribution automation project—featuring the deployment of S&C IntelliRupters—will significantly bolster system reliability and support our transition toward a more modern, resilient grid.”

With all the changes taking place in her LPC footprint, Brittany wants her community to know that their comfort and security are at the forefront of every decision she makes.

“When I came on board at MES, it was clear our infrastructure needed attention. I helped develop a strategic plan to address those needs, and we’ve just received board approval to move forward. The plan focuses on modernizing our substations, upgrading relaying technology, and improving system reliability. While we’re still early in the implementation phase, I’m proud to drive efforts that will bring meaningful, long-term benefits to our community through innovation and smarter infrastructure.”

Brittany credits Seven States as being a valuable partner for MES as the needs of her community have continued to evolve.

“Seven States has been an invaluable partner in fostering innovation within our community. Their active involvement in the car charging project at Ascension St. Thomas – River Park Hospital was instrumental in expanding EV accessibility within Warren County. Additionally, their support in helping us with the install of the latest car charger project in collaboration with Tennessee Tech University has brought advanced technology to our region, further enhancing sustainability efforts and modernizing existing infrastructure.”

As technology continues to advance across the Valley, Brittany’s advice to future managers who want to lead well is to lean into new and innovative opportunities with optimism and determination.

“Embrace change. Technology and innovation evolve rapidly, and while past methods may have worked, that doesn't mean they remain the best solution. Assess your community’s needs, make informed financial decisions, and take decisive steps toward progress. Most importantly, never let a rejection deter you—persistence often leads to new opportunities. If the answer is no today, ask again tomorrow.”

###

Scott Owens

Thu, 19 Jun 2025 14:26:37 GMT

It’s no secret that innovation drives progress, and Scott Owens is committed to thoughtful initiatives that move his community forward.

As General Manager of Benton County Electric System (BCES), Scott leads with an eye on sustainable technology and long-term reliability for the community he serves.

“BCES takes a progressive approach to cost management while prioritizing long-term system stability and reliability. As we work to keep power costs low, fair, and equitable, we actively seek to implement technologies that make financial sense for our ratepayers. At the same time, we recognize and assign value to intangible benefits, such as reliability and resiliency. Innovation begins with an idea—one that is pursued with thoughtful diligence and supported by experience, collaboration, and strategic funding to ensure maximum value for those we serve.”

In a time of rapid digital transformation, Scott explains how BCES is leveraging technology in a variety of ways to enhance their customers’ experience.

“BCES is evolving our customer experience to meet changing expectations. Today, many of our customers prefer to sign up, pay bills, and manage their accounts online or through their phones rather than visiting the office. They expect a seamless, self-service experience with real-time access to information. This shift presents challenges for smaller utilities, particularly during outages, when customers want timely updates to foster understanding and patience. To meet these demands, we have implemented HometownGrid and are working closely with CSA to transition to their new payment and user portal platforms. Operationally, BCES has entered a maintenance phase after completing a 12-year construction cycle. This period is giving us the opportunity to reevaluate and develop our next strategic 10-year capital plan. Our customers expect fast restoration and minimal disruption. The question we are now focused on is: How can we continue to deliver on those expectations through the smart application of technology and systems improvements?”

When asked about advice he’d give to new managers who want to bring innovation to their own LPCs, Scott underscores the importance of taking an intentional, community-driven approach to change.

“Start by listening. Innovation should be guided by the real needs of your community, your employees, and your system—not just by what's new or trendy. Build trust internally first by engaging your team and making them part of the process. Then focus on partnerships—with your board, vendors, peer utilities, and key stakeholders. Don’t try to innovate in a vacuum. Next, do your homework. Innovation is not just about ideas; it’s about disciplined planning, strong execution, and understanding the financial and operational impacts. Evaluate the long-term value, not just the upfront cost. Sometimes the intangible benefits—like improved customer satisfaction, reliability, or system resiliency—are just as important as the return on investment. Finally, be patient but persistent. Change takes time, especially in a utility environment where change touches 85 years of generational programming. Celebrate small wins with your community and keep your focus on serving your customers better every day.”

###

Gene Kanikovsky

Thu, 19 Jun 2025 14:26:03 GMT

Gene Kanikovsky knows that innovative partnerships and groundbreaking technology are essential to preparing the grid for the future.

Serving as General Manager & CEO of Joe Wheeler Electric Membership Corporation, Gene has a proven track record of implementing innovative, sustainable technology that benefits his community.

“Joe Wheeler EMC has recently implemented a drone inspection program, including the deployment of our first thermal drone. We are also developing a digital surface model (DSM) to enhance our GIS capabilities by analyzing the proximity of vegetation to power poles and lines using the latest LiDAR data. Additionally, we’ve undertaken a systematic conversion of outdated lighting systems to high-efficiency LED. One of our proudest achievements is the commissioning of our new 1MW solar farm, which marks a significant step forward in our sustainability and technology portfolio. Every innovation we pursue is rooted in a commitment to either improve service quality or reduce costs for our members. Our core mission is to ensure reliable service at the lowest possible rates, and innovation is one of the most effective tools we have to achieve that goal.”

Gene also recognizes and values the critical role that Seven States plays in building trust and accelerating innovation across the Valley.

“Seven States is a uniquely valuable partner, bringing together technology solutions and key stakeholders in an environment that highlights real-world benefits to LPCs. This collaborative setting fosters dialogue that reduces the risk of project adoption by allowing LPCs to observe successful integrations of new technologies. The trust that LPCs place in Seven States significantly accelerates the development and deployment of innovative projects by lowering barriers to entry and providing trusted guidance.”

When asked about what advice he’d give to new utility managers who want to bring innovative solutions to their communities, Gene shared that effective innovation starts with the right understanding and guidance.

“First, start with a clear assessment by understanding the current technologies in use within your community—what exists, how it’s being utilized, and how effective it is. Next, prioritize impact by focusing on innovations that deliver the greatest financial and social benefits to your members. Lastly, choose partners carefully—the market is saturated with vendors seeking attention and investment. Select partners who are committed to long-term support and who will stand behind their products.”

###

Here We Grow Again! Seven States Welcomes Kim Shumpert as VP of Public Relations

Mon, 09 Jun 2025 14:51:58 GMT

Seven States Power Corporation is pleased to announce the appointment of Kim Shumpert as Vice President of Public Relations. Shumpert brings over two decades of experience in growing the capacity and impact of multiple organizations within both the public and private sectors.

With both a bachelor’s and master’s degree in Public Administration, Shumpert brings a distinguished background in executive leadership, having guided regional economic development initiatives and directed comprehensive communication strategies across diverse platforms. Her experience includes successfully managing media relations and fostering strong partnerships. In her new role as Vice President of Public Relations, Shumpert will spearhead efforts to increase the organization’s impact, deepen stakeholder engagement, and advance the mission of empowering LPCs to meet growing consumer demand for technology and innovation in an evolving utility landscape.

“We are thrilled to welcome Kim to our team,” said Betsey Kirk McCall, Seven States President & CEO. “Her proven ability to build meaningful relationships and communicate with purpose aligns perfectly with our vision for growth and engagement.”

Shumpert joins Seven States at a pivotal time in the energy industry. Her leadership will play a crucial role in supporting Seven States Power Corporation’s ongoing commitment to leveraging technology to design, develop, and deploy forward-thinking energy solutions in partnership with LPCs and the communities they serve.

Seven States Power Corporation is a trusted partner to 153 local power companies across the Tennessee Valley, delivering customized energy and generation solutions and supporting community success through technology and innovation. To stay up to date on Seven States projects, announcements, and news, subscribe to our newsletter .

Cody Durham

Wed, 16 Apr 2025 13:57:00 GMT

Cody Durham knows the world of technology has evolved over the years. As the General Manager and CEO of Tishomingo County Electric Power Association, he’s been able to channel that knowledge into meaningful improvements for the members he serves.

With all of the changes taking place in his LPC footprint, Cody wants his members to know that their comfort and security are at the forefront of every decision he makes.

Cody advises aspiring leaders to actively engage with their professional networks and seek out opportunities to learn from the experiences and insights of others in the Valley as much as possible.

Brad Coppock

Wed, 16 Apr 2025 13:53:00 GMT

With over 20 years of experience in the industry, Brad Coppock has witnessed firsthand the evolution of technology and its impact on the Valley. As General Manager of Powell Valley Electric Cooperative (PVEC), Brad brings a deep understanding of how innovation can shape and strengthen the communities he serves.

Brad knows that as the Valley continues to grow and transform, Seven States is a trusted partner that can help LPCs navigate change and technology with confidence.

Brad wants his members to know that he is prioritizing reliability while planning for long-term innovations that improve their daily lives.

While change can be intimidating, Brad encourages future leaders to seek out opportunities to learn from others and build meaningful relationships that can spark innovation in their communities.

Clayton Dowell

Wed, 16 Apr 2025 13:50:00 GMT

In a time where innovation drives progress and defines success, Clayton Dowell is committed to forward-thinking initiatives that move his community forward.

Leading Bristol Tennessee Essential Services (BTES) as CEO, Clayton is focused on bringing innovation to his community to improve his customers’ lives.

Clayton discovered that partnering with Seven States provided essential expertise for his technology initiatives, acting as a reliable ally fully committed to supporting his vision.

Amid the many changes across the Valley, Clayton remains focused on what matters most—his customers—and is constantly evaluating new technologies to determine how they can meet the evolving needs of the community he serves.

On the topic of advice to new managers who want to bring innovation to their LPC footprint, Clayton emphasized the importance of staying open-minded and listening closely to customers to ensure their needs drive strategic decisions.

Mike King

Wed, 16 Apr 2025 13:47:00 GMT

As General Manager of Amory Water & Light, Mike King understands that technology isn’t just about progress—it’s about people. By staying tuned in to the needs of his customers, he’s leading the charge in bringing smart, innovative solutions to the Valley that make everyday life better.

While innovative technology is crucial to the Valley’s future, Mike shared that keeping the community’s needs at the forefront of everything you do is vital.

When asked what advice he’d give to new managers, Mike shared that communicating with your customer base is an important first step.

Seven States Positioned to Address Energy Emergency with $439M USDA Investment

Tue, 11 Mar 2025 14:04:02 GMT

For more than 15 years, Seven States has been immersed in the emerging needs of the energy industry and the evolving supply of energy to the region. Seven States was created in partnership with TVA and more than 150 local power companies to finance utility-scale generation assets. In the early years, Seven States and TVA jointly owned an 800MW combined cycle plant in Southaven, Mississippi. More recently, Seven States was proud to announce that it had been awarded a $439,000,000 investment from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s New ERA program to build 250MW of low-cost energy using a zero-interest loan.

The shovel-ready project will bring online 250MW and help ease the State of Energy Emergency. The solar plant, owned and operated by Seven States, will deliver energy across the region to TN, AL, GA, MS, KY, NC, VA, and will power approximately 113,000 homes while creating over 100 construction jobs. The project continues to garner support from local, state and federal officials and is part of an “all of the above” approach to deliver power to consumers. This federal funding will provide our region with much-needed low-cost energy used by residents and businesses throughout the Valley.

The Seven States team has been hard at work with our local power company member-owners to develop energy supply strategies that reach beyond this one project. This highlights our dedication to bring multiple energy sources to the grid. Over the years, our work has expanded beyond utility-scale generation to include distribution-scale technologies. We are enhancing reliability through the installation of battery storage units at regional locations such as the U.S. Space & Rocket Center in Huntsville, Alabama, and Montgomery Bell State Park in Burns, Tennessee.

Seven States, a G&T cooperative, was created out of the need for innovative solutions. The awarded project is just one example of the innovative thinking and decisive action necessary to tackle the energy challenges of our time. We understand that economic development and job creation stop without power supply. Together with our public power model stakeholders, we intend to “ready the region” and respond to the increase in demand with additional power supply. An opportunity of this magnitude will drive our ability to attract and retain innovative businesses to the region and be a flagship model to the rest of the nation. This opportunity is significant for the region and we encourage you to learn more about the project here.

We want to thank the Seven States Board of Directors and our partners for leading boldly to advocate for the USDA funding to supply much needed low-cost energy to consumers across the region. Your support demonstrates how everyone wins when we take innovative action to deliver power to those we serve.

Welcome 2025 Ambassadors

Wed, 05 Mar 2025 18:21:59 GMT

Each year, Seven States seeks to highlight the good work being done across the Valley to meet the needs of those served by our LPC partners. As part of our commitment to our member-owner partners, we are excited to spotlight the unique work being done by experts in each of these communities and demonstrate how their work benefits energy consumers across a wide region with varying needs.

We are proud to announce the 2025 Seven States Valley Innovation Ambassadors who we will be highlighting throughout the coming year. These individuals represent the work being done across the Valley to deliver more energy to the grid. They each lend their expertise to addressing how we design, develop, and deploy new technologies that solve real-time challenges for small businesses and households.

A Valley Innovation Ambassador designation means that you are an individual who is dedicated to working in the short, medium and long term spaces to address today’s needs while delivering tomorrow’s solutions. These individuals have a vision for the future that allows our communities to thrive. In order to accomplish successful transitions to new technologies, we need individuals who think and act innovatively. We are honored to have the opportunity to spotlight talent such as this over the next several months.

The 2025 Valley Innovation Ambassadors are:

Brad Coppock, GM – Powell Valley Electric Cooperative
Clayton Dowell, President & CEO – Bristol Tennessee Essential Services
Jason Cloyd, GM – Caney Fork Electric Cooperative
Brittany Davis, GM & CEO – McMinnville Electric System
Glenn Hale, CEO – Tri-County Electric Membership Corporation
Marty Ivy, Superintendent – Mayfield Electric & Water System
Gene Kanikovsky, GM & CEO – Joe Wheeler Electric Membership Corp.
Ray Hardin, GM – Decatur Utilities
Cody Durham, GM & CEO – Tishomingo County Electric Power Association
Michael King, GM – Amory Water & Light
Brian Childers, Chief Information Officer – North Georgia Electric Membership Corporation
Kendall Bear, GM – Rockwood Electric
Jeff Newman, GM & CEO – Forked Deer Electric Cooperative
Scott Owens, GM – Benton County Electric System

You can expect to learn more about them in our SPARK newsletter. To subscribe to SPARK, click here.

Employee Spotlight: Advancing Transportation Infrastructure

Thu, 27 Feb 2025 14:11:37 GMT

At Seven States, we take pride in fostering innovation and supporting employees who are building the grid of the future. Joe Knox, our Director of Technology Deployment, recently contributed to a research paper on the future of electric vehicle (EV) chargers. His expertise and dedication are helping shape transportation infrastructure and manage additional demand for energy.

As the demand for EVs continues to grow, the need for efficient, reliable, and accessible charging infrastructure is more critical than ever. Knox contributed to the work of PhD candidate Mehdi Khaleghian of the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga. Knox served as a key industry expert by providing EV charging data for the project. Together, they explored methods to better predict charging station outcomes, which will benefit EV drivers, station owners, and electric utility operators.

To date, Seven States has installed more than 250 EV charging stations across 6 different states – that’s nearly 500 EV charging ports in under 4 years. The research paper focuses on the data gleaned from EV charging installations and will inform the collective work of experts within the EV sector as they move forward in building a dynamic power grid. Specifically, the paper explores using embedding vectors to capture the latent characteristics of EV charging stations based on user-station interactions. These factors help improve predictive tasks such as utilization forecasting and infrastructure planning through the use of Machine Learning Models.

“Working on this project was an exciting opportunity to contribute to the future of EV charging,” said Knox. “We explored ways to make charging faster, more efficient, and better integrated with the grid. It’s rewarding to see how our research can shape real-world solutions.”

As we continue to manage the transition to electric mobility and the infrastructure to support it, real-time analytics from actual deployments lead to data driven decisions, thereby removing the guesswork from next steps. Knox’s contributions demonstrate the power of collaboration and innovation in tackling the challenges of tomorrow.

We’re proud to have such forward-thinking minds on our team, driving progress and making a lasting impact on the energy industry. To view Seven States’ EV charging deployments, visit our interactive map.

Reliability as a Service

Thu, 27 Feb 2025 14:06:53 GMT

Seven States is excited to introduce a new product: Reliability as a Service. Under this new offering, Seven States will acquire battery storage systems and natural gas generators, and provide the capacity to LPCs and their customers. These distribution assets will be used locally for demand response, outage mitigation, and operations, while Seven States will build the capabilities to aggregate the capacity for utility scale benefits.

Through its partnership with CAT/Stowers, Seven States is the only Stowers reseller in the region and, as such, can provide special pricing on Caterpillar backup generators to LPC members. Seven States will work with each LPC to analyze energy usage and the economics of a potential system, and support for acquiring it. Two options are available:

Seven States will procure, own and install the unit, making the capacity and operation of the unit available to the LPC under an agreement.

If the LPC prefers to own the unit, Seven States will provide turnkey project management services to the LPC.

We kicked off the launch of Reliability as a Service at our 2024 Annual Meeting with the dedication of a new 150kW – 2hr battery storage system installed at the Montgomery Bell State Park Visitor Center in Burns, TN. Seven States owns the battery and provides the capacity to Dickson Electric System who operates it, and the State of Tennessee hosts the site. Learn more by clicking here.

Our goal for this program is to add distributed energy resources (DERs) to local power grids. This offering is optimal for behind-the-meter and front-of-the-meter generation, supplemental power for data centers, and grid optimization. The versatility of the resource is its greatest strength.

With Seven States’ Reliability as a Service, LPCs now have a path for quickly meeting increased local demand and operational requirements. The battery storage system and natural gas generators can provide immediate relief to the grid by:

Offsetting capacity constraints

Reducing wholesale demand charges

Enhancing reliability and resiliency

Seven States is well-positioned to deploy these solutions. As a non-profit that exists to deliver affordable and reliable solutions that benefit LPCs and their customers, we can leverage opportunities within the marketplace effectively and efficiently to reduce the costs related to installing battery storage systems and natural gas generators.

To get started on your Reliability project, contact Lance Irwin at lirwin@7spc.com

Seven States Awarded $439M Investment for Energy to Support the Growing Valley

Mon, 10 Feb 2025 14:10:46 GMT

CHATTANOOGA, TN – January 10, 2025 – Seven States Power Corporation (Seven States) is proud to announce that it will receive $439,000,000 in federal funding through the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s New ERA (Empowering Rural America) program. The funding is earmarked for new energy initiatives, and this award will provide low-cost affordable power to nearly 10 million people. Seven States is an energy solutions cooperative that is owned and operated by the 153 local power companies across the seven state region of the Tennessee Valley (TN, KY, MS, AL, VA, NC, GA). Their member-owners distribute TVA-generated electricity and provide a variety of essential services that build the economy and enhance life in their communities. Seven States is one of three organizations spotlighted by the USDA for their proposed project. The full announcement can be found here.

Funding for projects through this initiative will focus on utility-scale new energy resources such as solar generation and energy storage technologies. These investments are part of an ongoing industry-wide effort to enhance the grid with energy technologies to meet increasing demand for power. A primary advantage to our region is the public power model and the partnership between the power distributors and their power provider, the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA). One such project would add more than 250MWs of energy through the construction of a utility-scale solar plant in the Tennessee Valley. The plant will be owned and operated by Seven States.

Jeff Dykes, Chairman of the Board of Seven States and President & CEO of BrightRidge, said, “Procuring these resources is a big step in the right direction for advancing Seven States’ mission to leverage innovative technology to design, develop & deploy energy solutions for the Tennessee Valley. An award of this size and magnitude is significant for our region and we are thankful for the opportunity it presents.”

Betsey Kirk McCall, President & CEO of Seven States, expressed excitement about the grant’s impact, stating, “The New ERA program is an incredible opportunity for Seven States, our power distributor members, and TVA to work together in bringing low-cost power to the Tennessee Valley. The 250MWs of additional power will support the growing needs of the region to meet consumer demand for technology and energy.”

Seven States is committed to working closely with local communities, energy providers, and policymakers to ensure a reliable energy future. The projects supported by the New ERA grant are expected to create new jobs, stimulate economic growth, and generate energy.

The new solar generation is expected to take up to three to five years to finalize the design, develop and deploy all aspects of the projects. Once active, it is anticipated that this project will facilitate a higher degree of reliability and resiliency to the existing energy grid and assist in meeting increased demand as the Tennessee Valley region continues to experience growth in population and economic development.

2nd Life Battery Project Progress

alexis@liftmediagroup.com (Alexis Grass) — Sun, 26 Jan 2025 14:26:45 GMT

Nearly two years ago, Seven States teamed up with Nissan, Middle Tennessee Electric, and the University of Tennessee-Oak Ridge Innovation Institute, to launch an innovative second-life battery storage project. Seven States became an early partner to the project and will use data collected throughout the process to inform how to design, develop, and deploy BESS options to scale throughout the Valley.

The university researchers on the project, led by UT-ORNL Governor’s Chair for Electrical Energy Conversion and Storage Tom Zawodzinski, is taking a deep dive into the varied uses for EV batteries past their point of optimum performance. By investigating the composition, movement, and degree of degradation of the batteries, the team intends to optimize the second use power supply to provide power during peak demand.

On November 18th, 2024, Joe Knox spoke on behalf of Seven States at Nissan’s “BESS Peak Shave & Microgrid Kick-Off and Ribbon Cutting” ceremony. Seven States is proud to serve as a partner and advisor for Nissan and looks forward to continuing the work. This collaboration is sure to have an important and lasting impact on the future of the grid. To learn more about the project click here.

Chris Davis

Wed, 18 Dec 2024 18:11:09 GMT

Chris Davis knows how crucial innovative partnerships and technology are in preparing for the grid of the future.

Chris has led Cumberland Electric Membership Corporation (CEMC) as general manager for six years with a deep understanding of technological diversity and strategic partnerships. We asked him to share some of the ways he has brought innovation to his LPC footprint, as well as his experience with Seven States as a trusted partner.

“We’ve taken steps to boost innovation in our territory, but taking advantage of voltage reduction measures have worked especially well for us and elevated our demand-side management to the next level. We have previously worked with Seven States on exploring solar, but currently, we're looking at battery storage and are partnering with them to progress in that journey. Seven States has been wonderful in helping us with information and a world of questions that we have had, both technical and philosophical— really ensuring that we find the technology that’s right for our LPC. We’re new at this, and the Seven States team has come through with some great answers to walk us through everything.”

Chris always considers how his members view CEMC’s investments in innovation.

“I want our members to know that we are constantly looking at ways to improve reliability with innovation. We want to make sure that new ideas and technologies are a good fit for the membership and the community. You always have to find the right mix, but we strive to keep the door open to opportunity and exploring what can help improve the life of our folks. That will always be our goal.”

With his 41 years of industry experience, Chris has learned that being plugged into your community and knowing their needs is fundamental to being an innovative leader. He offered this advice to general managers who might have questions about how to start bringing innovation to their LPC.

“My advice is to always evaluate the needs of the LPC and what works and what doesn't. What we found to be helpful is surveying the membership and asking about their interests. We ask questions that lead us in the direction of finding out what they need, and then deciding how we can accomplish that. And hopefully for both of those, the answer is the same: what's good for the LPC’s needs is also good for the membership.”

Dion Cooper

Wed, 18 Dec 2024 17:53:45 GMT

With over 30 years of industry experience, Dion Cooper’s transition to President & CEO of Volunteer Energy Cooperative (VEC) in 2022 was an opportunity to ensure their system was prepared for the future with innovative solutions.

“One area that we’ve worked to improve is to get more downline controls. We’ve got fiber to our substations and are actively working to implement more smart grid technologies. VEC has been awarded a DOE grant through the MG CARED program, as well as an additional battery grant from the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC). We partnered with North Georgia EMC and Blue Ridge Mountain EMC for a multi-state award, which was the first of its kind. In total, the three cooperatives will receive $10M to go toward the installation of additional battery storage systems in our service areas, and VEC plans to install an additional 4MW of batteries in Meigs County with our portion of the award. That battery piece is probably the biggest thing that we’re chasing right now—that will help improve our reliability even more.”

Dion knows his LPC is responsible for the present and future of his community’s needs, and he wants his members to know that he strategically evaluates new technology with a long-term vision.

“I want our members to know that we always look for opportunities that are going to benefit them in terms of reliability, cost, and anything we can do to improve their service level. We don’t pursue technology for technology’s sake—and as a former IT guy, I love technology—but there has to be a value to the cooperative in order to implement innovation.”

Dion knows that Seven States is a helpful resource as his community’s needs continue to evolve and diversify.

“We look at Seven States as a valuable partner, not only from a standpoint of doing projects together, but for expertise also—we can reach out to their team and lean on them. With our interest in battery storage and Seven States’ experience in that arena, we are confident that we’ll be able to work together in the future as we continue to explore what can best benefit our community.”

With so much technological advancement in the Valley, Dion encourages fellow leaders to find what works best for their LPC and to not be afraid to bring about community change and benefits.

“Don’t be afraid to implement new technologies just because it hasn’t been done; don’t let that be a deterrent. You don’t have to live on the cutting edge, but it’s okay to be first sometimes, especially if it has a tremendous value to the organization and to your members. Getting buy-in from your team, board, and community is vital, and if you have a technology that is going to bring real, tangible value to your community, and you keep that at the forefront of everything you do, everything else will fall into place.”

4 County teams joins TVA to help install vehicle chargers

Wed, 04 Dec 2024 14:13:20 GMT

MATHISTON, Miss. (WCBI) – Travelers along Highway 82 and The Natchez Trace Parkway will now have a new refueling option.

4 County Electric Power Association has teamed up with the Tennessee Valley Authority and S and S Shell in Mathison to install the utility’s first Electric Vehicle Charging Station.

TVA is trying to reduce “range anxiety” for EV owners across its service area by working with partners to reduce the distance between charging stations.

The junction of 2 well-travelled highways made Mathiston a good location for 4 County to get into the charging market.

“So, TVA came to us a couple of years ago and said, ‘Hey look, we want to fix range anxiety for electric vehicle across the Tennessee Valley’, and they offered us some grant money. We partnered with them to build this fast charger. What you see here is the most powerful fast charger in the Tennessee Valley footprint as of today, here in 4 County Electric Power Association and Mathiston, Mississippi,” said Brian Clark, CEO of 4 County EPA.

The S and S site in Mathiston has 4 chargers available.

Interview with Erin Gill on Seven States’ New Product Offering, Reliability as a Service

Tue, 26 Nov 2024 14:28:30 GMT

Driven by economic growth, increased electrification, and ambitious renewable energy targets, demand for electricity has surged, but the supply has been challenged with aging infrastructure and evolving regulations.

Luckily, at Seven States, we have a lot of great minds working together to proactively address this challenge. Moreover, we are ramping up our rollout of battery energy storage solutions and backup generation in an effort to achieve 300MW of additional aggregate capacity across the Valley. We recently had the opportunity to gain insight on this important issue from industry expert and incoming Seven States board member, Erin Gill.

Gill currently serves as Vice President of Sustainability & Government Relations at Knoxville Utilities Board. As she assumes a role on the Seven States Board of Directors, we asked her to reflect on a few questions about Seven States’ Reliability as a Service as we close out 2024 and look forward to 2025.

Why do you think it’s important to focus on Reliability Services, specifically Battery Energy Storage Solutions (BESS), at this point in time?

Battery storage is increasingly emerging as a critical resource for local power companies aiming to enhance energy reliability, especially during peak demand periods. By deploying battery storage systems, local power companies can manage fluctuations in electricity demand more effectively, store excess energy generated during low-demand periods, and release it when demand surges. This not only helps stabilize the grid but also reduces the need for expensive peak power purchases. Battery energy storage solutions also allow local power companies to improve resilience by maintaining service during outages or disruptions, which is especially valuable in regions prone to extreme weather events or grid vulnerabilities.

Is it possible to scale this solution and, if so, what does that mean for how we build and connect to the grid of the future?

As battery technology advances, scalability becomes more achievable, making it a viable option for power companies of all sizes. Implementing battery storage solutions can also support the integration of renewable energy sources, such as solar, by storing intermittent energy and providing a reliable backup when these sources are not actively generating. This synergy between battery storage and renewables enables local power companies to expand clean energy use without compromising on stability or reliability. Moreover, battery storage offers long-term cost-saving potential by reducing dependence on non-renewable peaking plants and minimizing transmission losses, ultimately benefiting both utilities and customers with cleaner, more stable energy options.

What role is Seven States playing in designing, developing, and deploying these technologies into the energy ecosystem?

It was exciting to see the BESS unit installed at Montgomery Bell State Park during our Annual Meeting. This unit, and others like it, demonstrate what is possible as we connect these solutions to the grid. Building on the efforts of early projects like EV chargers, solar canopies, solar consulting, and microgrids, Seven States is using what they have learned to grow and scale these solutions faster. At KUB, we’ve appreciated Seven States’ support for several local efforts to adopt new types of technologies and meet the needs of our customers today with an eye toward the future.

Do you have any closing thoughts about what NOT developing and deploying these technologies means to the energy industry?

Energy technologies and customer needs are evolving rapidly, and electric utilities in the Valley must be ready to incorporate new practices and technologies in order to ensure we can continue to meet growing demand while keeping energy services affordable and reliable. Renewable energy, battery storage, demand response, and other distributed energy resources aren’t just “nice to haves.” Utilized strategically, these resources can be cheaper and more nimble than more traditional energy resources. By using them wisely, LPCs can help keep energy affordable while providing ancillary benefits for local infrastructure and for utility customers. It is for all of these reasons that Seven States plays a vital role at a critical juncture. The work they do allows LPCs to work simultaneous paths to efficient and effective solutions. Their partnership in the industry will help us all “keep the lights on.”

New Partnership with CAT/Stowers

Tue, 26 Nov 2024 14:25:10 GMT

Seven States is proud to announce an important next step in providing sustainable power generation to energy consumers in the Valley. Since 2019, CAT/Stowers and Seven States have been partnering to supply backup generators throughout the region. These units offer Natural Gas (NG) prime power backup generation for sizes 750kW – 2.5MW. To date, Seven States is the only entity to have a reseller agreement with Stowers in the region.

They are now excited to share that, as of September 2024, an enhanced partnership will extend specially negotiated pricing for the generators to Seven States member LPCs. This discount can only be accessed through partnership with Seven States. The shared goal between CAT/Stowers and Seven States is to cultivate a more reliable demand response environment for energy providers and diversify power supply options to high demand times.

To inquire about how to take advantage of this special offer click here.

EV Data Project with UT/UTC

Tue, 26 Nov 2024 14:23:40 GMT

During the 2024 Seven States Annual Meeting in October, a team from the University of Tennessee Knoxville and University of Tennessee Chattanooga provided a unique demonstration of EV charger analytics to inform infrastructure deployment. Panelists Dr. Mina Sartipi (Executive Director, TN-Chattanooga Research Institute, UTC), Jennifer Fritts, Director of Advancement Engineering & Technology, UTC), Medhi Khaleghian (PhD Candidate, UTC) and Victoria Hirschberg (AVP of Research, Outreach & Economic Development, UTK) presented updated information about the current distribution and adoption of EVs and EV chargers throughout the Valley in collaboration with the Fast Charge Network TN initiative.

The initiative began in 2022 and has a goal of funding the installation of a network of fast charging stations every 50 miles along Tennessee’s interstates and major highways. According to the panelists, there are now over 61,000 EVs on U.S. highways which represents a 40% increase year over year.

In March 2023, there were 14 fast charger stations online, at 8 different sites; of those, 14 were in TN. Today, we are receiving data from 90 fast charger stations at 41 different sites across the Valley. Each charging station is operating and sending data about utilization and demand to analysts. Together with other chargers Seven States has installed since 2018, the UTC research team analyzed data from 120 charging stations across the Seven States footprint. This information helped the team understand current EV charger utilization, behaviors of EV drivers, predict emerging utilization patterns, and measure location-based greenhouse gas savings on the Valley’s generation mix.

Seven States’ very own Joe Knox is at the forefront of this collaboration. His work with UTC’s team has resulted in a published paper on EV data trends in the Valley. This project is an example of Seven States moving beyond the delivery of technology, and developing a data driven understanding of how to optimize innovation that meets the emerging demands for energy supply. For more information on the UTC Research Institute click here.

Lance Irwin’s Appointment to NRECA Advisory Board – REWIRED

Tue, 26 Nov 2024 14:16:16 GMT

Our VP of Partnerships & Project Development, Lance Irwin, has been selected to join the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association (NRECA) Cooperative Advisory Board (CAB) for the Rural Electric Utility Workflow Improvements for Rapid EVSE Development (REWIRED) project.

REWIRED is a cooperative agreement between NRECA Research & EERE (Office of Energy Efficiency & Renewable Energy). This agreement provides over $2 million of federal funding over a 3 year period (June 2024 to May 2027). The project aims to reduce the soft costs associated with EVSE deployment. The key objectives of the initiative are:

Improving EVSE Deployment Efficiency
Supporting Grid Management and Reliability
Community Engagement and Workforce Development

According to Cooperative, the initiative is based on the idea that by streamlining processes and workflows, cooperatives and rural utilities can facilitate faster deployment of Electric Vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure to support the growth of electric vehicles. An additional goal of this approach is to help manage the increased demand on the grid more effectively, ensuring that the integration of EVSE is both reliable and efficient. Seven States’ involvement in the initiative will aid in delivering real-time information that member LPCs and partners can use to make innovative decisions about the grid of the future.

This appointment demonstrates how Seven States is representing the interests of member LPCs in a var iety of arenas where important decisions are shaping the future of the energy industry. Be sure to stay updated on all Seven States current news & events here.

Here We Grow Again! Seven States Welcomes Dana Jeanes as SVP of Financial Planning & Product Design

Wed, 13 Nov 2024 14:30:11 GMT

Seven States is excited to announce the addition of Dana Jeanes to the team as Senior Vice President of Financial Planning & Product Design. In this role, Jeanes will drive our commitment to deploying innovative technology in the Valley and working collaboratively with our trusted partners to connect to the grid of the future.

Having earned his Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering from Christian Brothers University in 1979, and an MBA with an emphasis in Finance and Accounting from the University of Memphis in 1994, Jeanes went on to acquire his license as a Professional Engineer in Tennessee as well as becoming a Certified Public Accountant and Certified Municipal Finance Officer.

This background prepared Jeanes for an impressive and extensive career with Memphis Light, Gas, and Water beginning in 1987. He has held numerous positions during his tenure there including the roles of Energy Engineer, Rates Engineer, Supervisor of Rates and Regulatory Affairs, Manager of Budget, Plant and Rates, Director of Analysis, and Strategy and Performance Controller, and Vice President and Chief Financial Officer. In 2018, he assumed his current role as Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer, and Chief Administrative Officer (Secretary-Treasurer). His retirement from MLGW is planned for the end of the calendar year and he intends to begin working with Seven States on January 6, 2025. His years of both academic and professional experience will be a valuable asset to advancing the mission of Seven States to empower LPC members to meet consumer demand for technology and innovation in an evolving utility marketplace.

As a former Board member of Seven States, Jeanes steps into the role of SVP full time having also served as a Past President of Tennessee Municipal Electric Power Association. He also served on the Tennessee Valley Public Power Association Government Relations Committee and Rates and Pricing Committee lending his insight and guidance on issues impacting the Valley. “This combination of expertise and collaborative experiences makes Jeanes a fantastic addition to our team and we are greatly looking forward to the work we will do together in the new year,” said Betsey Kirk McCall, Seven States President & CEO. To stay up to date on Seven States projects, announcements, and news, subscribe to our newsletter .

Innovation Champion and SPARK Awardees Announced at Seven States 2024 Annual Meeting

Tue, 29 Oct 2024 16:03:19 GMT

Innovation Champion and SPARK Awardees Announced at Seven States 2024 Annual Meeting

Seven States is proud to recognize valuable contributions to innovation through honoring essential leaders working to keep up with evolving consumer demand. Two important leaders were recognized at this year’s Annual Meeting. These leaders’ dedication, vision, and commitment have made a lasting impact on the Valley.

Innovation Champion Award

Every year, the Innovation Champion Award is presented to an organization that exemplifies the spirit of innovation in their operations.
This year we presented this award to the Tennessee Department of Environment & Conservation (TDEC) for their instrumental work in bringing innovation to so many of our LPCs including their ongoing work with the EV Fast Charge Network. These 66 Valley-wide EV charger installations span from Fort Payne, AL to Warren, KY, and Tombigbee, MS, to Bean Station, TN, and Blue Ridge, GA. Commissioner David Salyers accepted the award on behalf of his team.

Commissioner Salyers was appointed by Governor Bill Lee in January 2019. As Commissioner, Salyers oversees the state’s efforts to protect and enhance Tennessee’s natural resources, including air, water, and land, while balancing economic growth and environmental stewardship. Salyers is known for his collaborative approach to environmental policy, working with local communities, industry leaders, and government agencies to promote sustainability and resilience across the state.

The Seven States 2024 Annual Meeting was hosted at one of 59 State Parks under Commissioner Salyers’ oversight. We were excited to partner with Montgomery Bell State Park in the design, development, and deployment of a battery storage unit and solar charging stations at each of the six trail heads inside the park.

SPARK Award

This year marks the fourth presentation of the Seven States Spark Award, which went to Darrell Gillespie, General Manager of Dickson Electric System. We were proud to partner with Dickson Electric to design, develop, and deploy a battery storage solution that will provide peak shaving solutions to the utility. We are grateful for Gillespie’s leadership across the Valley and his invaluable service to Seven States as both a partner and Board Member.

In his role, Gillespie leads the utility’s operations, overseeing the provision of reliable electric service to the local community. With a strong focus on customer service, infrastructure modernization, and energy efficiency, he ensures that the system meets the growing demands of both residential and commercial customers.

Under Gillespie’s leadership, Dickson Electric System has continued to prioritize grid reliability, sustainability initiatives, and community engagement, contributing to the region’s development and energy resilience.

Congratulations to Commissioner David Salyers and TDEC as well as Darrell Gillespie and Dickson Electric System for earning these outstanding awards!

Battery Storage and Solar Projects Deployed

Tue, 29 Oct 2024 15:52:33 GMT

In order for communities to connect to the grid of the future, we must first build it. Through trusted partnerships, we have furthered this objective with our latest project deployments inside Montgomery Bell State Park in Burns, TN. Now visitors can connect to solar power through six solar charging stations placed throughout the park. This is not only a benefit to the public, but also showcases the need for such technology and innovation to support the energy grid.

We also partnered with Dickson Electric System and Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation (TDEC) to deploy a 150kW – 2hr battery storage unit constructed in the park, which stores energy and releases it back onto Dickson’s electric system. This takes the power grid one step closer to sustainability, a huge step in the right direction for our member LPCs. A key goal of this installation is to accelerate the creation and adoption of sustainable power solutions that ultimately benefit end-users.

At Seven States, we believe it is important that we not only talk about innovation, but we also deploy it. These projects demonstrate how Seven States can empower LPCs to meet consumer demand for technology and innovation in an evolving utility marketplace. The battery storage project in particular is part of Seven States’ commitment to deploy 300MW of storage capacity across the Tennessee Valley. The solar charging stations are an excellent example of how innovation is being used to deliver solutions that not only make life more convenient for consumers but also advance the power grid forward. These projects represent another step in the right direction for building and energizing the grid of the future.

To learn more about where Seven States have deployed our projects, visit https://sevenstatespower.com/where-we-work/

KUB, TVA Make Driving Electric Easier for Travelers in East Tennessee

Fri, 11 Oct 2024 14:52:19 GMT

Knoxville, TN – East Tennessee drivers and those passing through now have more electric vehicle (EV) charging options. KUB installed two public EV fast charging stations – one in Downtown Knoxville and one in Seymour. These locations fill key alternative fuel corridor gaps on I-75 and Route 441.

These stations are part of the Fast Charge Tennessee Network, a partnership between the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA), Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation (TDEC), and Seven States Power Corporation.

With support from the City of Knoxville and Food City in Seymour, four chargers were installed in Downtown Knoxville and five in Seymour. Each charger can deliver up to 150 kilowatts(kW) per vehicle for 0.40 cents per kilowatt hour. A full charge typically takes 30 minutes or less depending on the vehicle, allowing drivers to charge quickly when away from home or traveling.

“Supporting the adoption of electric vehicles is a major component of KUB’s sustainability efforts. We are grateful for the partnerships we have that address barriers to EV adoption,” KUB President and CEO Gabriel J. Bolas II said. “These partnerships make our work toward a more sustainable future even easier, and we’re thrilled to see new public charging stations filling those fuel corridor gaps.”

KUB’s Promenade garage in downtown Knoxville also has four Level 2 charging stations for public use. The City of Knoxville currently offers 36 Level 2 EV charging ports throughout the city.

“We are so grateful to KUB for the addition of 4 new electric charging stations downtown,” Knoxville Mayor Indya Kincannon said. “This investment goes hand-in-hand with the City’s sustainability efforts, and will help us attain a cleaner, greener Knoxville.”

Seymour’s newly installed EV fast chargers are the area’s first public chargers.

“Food City is committed to increasing sustainability throughout our market area. We are proud to partner with KUB, the City of Knoxville, and TVA to install an electric vehicle charging station at our Seymour Food City,” Food City CEO and President Steven C. Smith said. “We currently have charging stations available at several store locations and hope to continue our efforts to make public charging stations more accessible throughout our region.”

Similar to the partnership between KUB, the City of Knoxville, and Food City, TVA has brought together local power companies, state and local government partners, and others throughout the Valley to pave the way for over 200,000 EVs on Tennessee roads by 2028. Fast Charge Tennessee aims to make driving EVs easier for EV drivers by installing charging stations every 50 miles along Tennessee’s interstates and major highways. Approximately 50 new charging locations will go along prioritized corridor infrastructure gaps, tripling Tennessee’s existing fast charging network.

The benefits that these EVs bring to the Tennessee Valley region are significant:

Reducing carbon emissions from gasoline vehicles by almost 1 million metric tons per year or the equivalent of the carbon sequestered by 1 million acres of U.S. forests in one year
Reinvesting $120 million in the local economy every year from electric refueling
Saving drivers up to $1,000 in fuel and maintenance costs every year

“Today, EVs use our clean, low-cost, reliable electricity to connect communities and commerce across our region,” TVA EnergyRight Vice President Monika Beckner said. “Taking a leadership role in EV charging infrastructure allows TVA to save drivers money and attract good jobs and tourism– all powered by electricity from TVA and your local power company.”

For more information about KUB’s environmental efforts, visit www.kub.org/green

New EV fast-charging station opens in Starkville

Mon, 07 Oct 2024 16:07:47 GMT

STARKVILLE, Miss. (WCBI) – Like many local people, you may fill up your car at the gas pump.But some visitors to Starkville and surrounding towns are rolling in with an EV, an electric vehicle.This is the future of the pit stop.

Pull in and plug in.

Starkville Utilities General Manager, Edward Kemp said it’s a privilege to have these new fast-chargers for motorists who want to charge and go. “A new technology. The new advanced features as opposed to some of the older chargers. We have some of those here, but we wanted to provide more options for more people to charge their electric vehicles,” said Kemp. Starkville Utilities received a grant from Tennessee Valley Authority to help fund the two EV chargers through their Fast Charge Network program.

Josh Wooten, the Customer Relations Manager for TVA in Starkville, agrees this will give residents and visitors more options on how and where they can charge their electric cars. “Just providing that optionality here in Starkville, allows those that have EV charged vehicles to come in. They’re able to do business, they’re able to have fun here in Stark Vegas,” said Wooten.

One of TVA’s goals for these fast-charging stations is to be near convenience stores, restaurants, and restrooms, so that the driver can enjoy the town as they wait for their vehicle to be charged. Along with Seven States Power Corporation, TVA supports other towns in Northeast Mississippi to also gain access to these new chargers. “We’re targeting a charger like this every 50 miles along major interstates and highways,” said Wooten.

Kemp sees this new addition in Starkville as a step towards a more progressive future. “It’s also just trying to be a part of and build the grid of the future. We know that electric vehicles are becoming more and more common placed in our community certainly but also in our entire economic atmosphere,” said Kemp.

The fast-chargers are available 24/7 on Lampkin Street.

West Point, Tupelo, and other towns in the area will also be getting new fast charging stations for electric vehicles through TVA.

Seven States Power Corporation Invited to Submit Full Application for $200M from USDA New ERA Program for Clean Energy Solutions

Mon, 07 Oct 2024 16:06:04 GMT

The body content of your post goes here. To edit this text, click on it and delete this default text and start typing your own or paste your own from a different source.

Driving Electric in Tennessee Just Got Easier

Mon, 23 Sep 2024 16:10:09 GMT

Sequachee Valley Electric Cooperative connects Marion County to Fast Charge TN and regional Fast Charge Network

Kimball, TN. – As automakers retool their factories to build electric vehicles (EVs), many more EVs will be on the roadways in the next decade. Sequachee Valley Electric Cooperative (SVEC) is helping to make sure that Tennessee is ready with charging infrastructure.

On September 19, SVEC announced that it has installed two fast chargers at The Food City in Kimball at 570 Main St. as part of Fast Charge TN, a partnership between the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA), the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation (TDEC), and Seven States Power Corporation. This Fast Charge TN installation is part of the regional Fast Charge Network that will cover major travel corridors across TVA’s seven-state service area and will complement the broader efforts of the National Electric Highway Coalition, which seeks to enable long-distance EV travel by placing fast chargers along interstates and major highways throughout the United States.

“We jumped at the opportunity to participate in Fast Charge TN because we want to make it easy for people to choose EVs so our community can enjoy the environmental and economic benefits of electric transportation,” says Mike Partin, President and CEO of SVEC. “The funding from TVA and TDEC makes it possible to add fast chargers in our community by providing 80% of the project cost.”

“We’ve moved far beyond connecting communities with power lines alone,” says Monika Beckner, Vice President of TVA EnergyRight. “Today, EVs use our clean, low-cost, reliable electricity to connect communities and commerce across our region. Taking a leadership role in EV charging infrastructure allows us to save drivers money and attract good jobs and tourism– all powered by electricity from SVEC and TVA.”

TVA and TDEC have brought together local power companies, state and local government partners, and others to pave the way for over 200,000 EVs on Tennessee Valley roads by 2028.

“Tennessee’s air is cleaner as measured by federal air quality standards than it has been in generations, and a clean environment helps drive economic development,” says Greg Young, TDEC Deputy Commissioner. “TDEC is partnering with TVA and SVEC on the development of this station to continue Tennessee’s environmental and economic momentum while further entrenching our state as the epicenter of the electric vehicle transition.”

“Seven States is trusted by local power companies across the Tennessee Valley to deliver EV charging technology for their consumers,” says Betsey Kirk McCall, President and CEO of Seven States Power Corporation. “Impactful partnerships like this benefit the local community, regional economy, and global environment for years to come.”

“This charging location does more than charge cars — it connects Marion County to the Fast Charge Network and plays an important role in putting our region on the leading edge of the new electric economy, connecting our communities to greater opportunities,” says Partin.

To learn more about the Fast Charge Network, calculate how much money an EV could save you or locate EV charging stations on your travel route, check out https://energyright.com/ev/ .

Benton County Electric System Ribbon Cutting

Fri, 13 Sep 2024 16:12:47 GMT

CAMDEN, Tenn . – Through a partnership with the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA), TDEC, the Benton County Electric System, Country & Western and Seven States Power Corporation, BCES has brought an EV charging station to Benton County.

Benton County Electric System has installed a fast charger location at Country & Western (314 Highway 641 North, Camden, TN 38320) as part of Fast Charge TN, a partnership between the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) and the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation (TDEC), and Seven States Power Corporation. This Fast Charge TN installation is part of the regional Fast Charge Network that will cover major travel corridors across TVA’s seven-state service area and will complement the broader efforts of the National Electric Highway Coalition, which seeks to enable long-distance EV travel by placing fast chargers along interstates and major highways throughout the United States.

“We are thrilled to bring EV fast chargers to Benton County, marking a significant step forward for our community,” said Scott Owens, General Manager of Benton County Electric System (BCES). “This achievement wouldn’t have been possible without the incredible support from Dee and Roy Dedmon at Country and Western, as well as our valued partners at TVA, TDEC, and Seven States Power Corporation and our team at BCES. Together, we are paving the way for a cleaner, more sustainable future for Benton County. The funding from TVA and TDEC make it possible to add fast chargers in our community by providing 80% of the project cost.”

TVA and TDEC have brought together local power companies, state and local government partners, and others to pave the way for over 200,000 EVs on Tennessee Valley roads by 2028. The benefits that EVs bring to the Tennessee Valley region are significant:

Attracting good jobs — $13.8 billion in EV and battery manufacturing have helped create over 10,000 EV-related jobs. Reinvesting $120 million in the local economy every year from electric refueling. Saving drivers up to $1,000 in fuel and maintenance costs every year. In 2024, there are a total of over 80 Electric and/or Hybrid vehicles registered in Benton County.

To learn more about the Fast Charge Network, calculate how much money an EV could save you or locate EV charging stations on your travel route, check out https://energyright.com/ev/.

Learn more about Fast Charge TN here: www.tn.gov/EVFastCharge.

Driving Electric in Tennessee Just Got Easier

Fri, 23 Aug 2024 16:14:06 GMT

MES connects the McMinnville to Fast Charge TN and regional Fast Charge Network.

McMinnville, TN – As automakers retool their factories to build electric vehicles (EVs), many more EVs will be on the roadways in the next decade. MES is helping to make sure that Tennessee is ready with charging infrastructure.

On Friday, August 23rd , MES will dedicate two fast chargers at Ascension Saint Thomas River Park Hospital as part of Fast Charge TN, a partnership between the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) and the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation (TDEC), and Seven States Power Corporation. This Fast Charge TN installation is part of the regional Fast Charge Network that will cover major travel corridors across TVA’s seven-state service area and will complement the broader efforts of the National Electric Highway Coalition , which seeks to enable long-distance EV travel by placing fast chargers along interstates and major highways throughout the United States.

“We moved quickly to participate in Fast Charge TN because we want to make it easy for people to choose EVs so our community can enjoy the environmental and economic benefits of electric transportation,” said Rodney Boyd, GM/CEO of MES. “The funding from TVA and TDEC makes it possible to add fast chargers in our community by providing 80% of the project cost.”

TVA and TDEC have brought together local power companies, state and local government partners, and others to pave the way for over 200,000 EVs on Tennessee Valley roads by 2028. The benefits that these EVs bring to the Tennessee Valley region are significant:

Attracting high-quality jobs – $17.2 billion in EV and battery manufacturing have helped create over 14,000 EV-related jobs in the past 10 years
Reducing carbon emissions from gasoline vehicles by almost 1 million metric tons per year or the equivalent of the carbon sequestered by 1 million acres of U.S. forests in one year
Reinvesting $120 million in the local economy every year from electric refueling
Saving drivers up to $1,000 in fuel and maintenance costs every year

“At TVA we’ve moved far beyond connecting communities with power lines,” said Monika Beckner, vice president of TVA EnergyRight. “Today, EVs use our clean, low-cost, reliable electricity to connect communities and commerce across our region. Taking a leadership role in EV charging infrastructure allows TVA to save drivers money and attract good jobs and tourism– all powered by electricity from TVA and your local power company.”

“Tennessee’s air is cleaner as measured by federal air quality standards than it has been in generations, and a clean environment helps drive economic development,”

TDEC Deputy Commissioner Greg Young said. “TDEC is partnering with TVA and MES on the development of this station to continue Tennessee’s environmental and economic momentum while further entrenching our state as the epicenter of the electric vehicle transition.”

“This charging location does more than charge cars — it connects McMinnville to the Fast Charge Network and plays an important role in putting our region on the leading edge of the new electric economy,” said Dr. Jeffrey McKinley, Chairman, Board of Public Utilities.

To learn more about the Fast Charge Network, calculate how much money an EV could save you or locate EV charging stations on your travel route, check out https://energyright.com/ev/.

Learn more about Fast Charge TN here: www.tn.gov/EVFastCharge.

Monte Cooper

Wed, 21 Aug 2024 18:27:53 GMT

Monte Cooper is no stranger to technological advancements in our industry. Serving Jackson Energy Authority (JEA) as President and CEO has given him an opportunity to ensure that innovation remains at the forefront of his LPC and community.

“Innovation at Jackson Energy Authority is such a high priority that it’s been one of our 4 major strategies concentrated on over the past 2 years. Leveraging consultants and partners, such as Seven States, has been a great way for us to pursue innovative projects in an efficient manner. In addition to implementing an updated SCADA system in the future, battery storage is a technology that we look most forward to bringing to our distribution system. We anticipate being the owner and operator of the battery storage projects that we will use to store solar energy and/or TVA energy for discharge during times of on-peak energy usage.”

Monte credits Seven States as being a valuable partner for JEA as the needs of its customers continue to evolve.

“Seven States assisted with the first ever JEA level 2 EV charger, which was installed at our Training Center. Our first EV project went very smoothly, and we will be using Seven States on the second EV charger, which will be located in downtown Jackson.”

With the rapid advancement of innovation in our industry, Monte’s advice to future leaders who want to lead well is to lean into their network and partners for advice and collaboration.

“I would advise any new GMs to attend our organizational meetings held by TVPPA, TMEPA, and Seven States in order to network with other utilities and learn from them. Using consultants and trusted partners like Seven States is a better way of getting projects designed, managed, and in service in a timely manner.”

Dan Rodamaker

Wed, 21 Aug 2024 17:36:48 GMT

Dan Rodamaker knows that long-term planning is crucial for implementing new technology in the Valley.

Leading Gibson Electric Membership Corporation and Gibson Connect, LLC as President and CEO, Dan is focused on bringing innovation to his community to improve his members’ lives for decades to come.

“Gibson Electric and our broadband subsidiary, Gibson Connect, have provided high-speed, economically priced broadband access to our members throughout our 12-county service area. This has been a real game changer for our members and our communities. We’ve also utilized that network internally for communication between our offices and for providing business redundancies. The broadband network enables us to monitor and operate downline devices, which helps us serve our members better, utilize our personnel more efficiently, and keep our employees safer. Our pre-pay program has also been extremely successful. Roughly 25 percent of our members are now on PayGo. Not only has it helped reduce our bad debts, but it also has given our members the tools to make informed decisions about their energy use and energy expenditures. Giving people options about how they pay their bills and how they communicate with us is always a good thing, and it equips the members with information that empowers them to adjust their energy use and manage their cost.”

While innovative technology is crucial to the Valley’s future, Dan shared that partnering with Seven States has brought his team great value.

“Seven States has given distributors in the Valley a forum for collaboration. It has helped us to learn from one another. By offering programs that help to facilitate innovation and learning, Seven States makes it easier for distributors to take that path. A good example of this is the EV program. Adoption of EVs in rural areas will be slower than adoption in some of the more metropolitan areas. By helping those utilities that are on the leading edge of that technology, Seven States helps all of us learn how to best implement a successful EV program.”

When asked what advice he’d give to new managers, Dan shared that the power of collaboration is paramount in this industry.

“I’d encourage a new GM to take full advantage of the opportunity to collaborate with industry peers. One thing I appreciate about our industry is that we share freely – especially in the Valley. Using R&D (rip-off and deploy) enables us to all be more successful. Communication inside our own organizations is also key. Bringing our internal staff and board members along gets them excited about and invested in new technologies, and this process sets the stage for innovation. I’d advise a new CEO to embrace new technologies, but not just for the sake of using new technologies. There must be value to the membership.”

Gov. Lee Announces Appointments to Key Boards & Commissions

Wed, 07 Aug 2024 16:23:01 GMT

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Today, Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee announced appointees to a series of key state boards and commissions.

“I’m pleased to appoint these highly-qualified individuals who will ensure that Tennessee continues to lead the nation,” said Gov. Lee. “The success of our state depends on the engagement of Tennesseans, and I look forward to their service.”

Appointees will fill a variety of roles to ensure that Tennessee’s boards and commissions continue conducting the state’s business at the highest level. The following Tennesseans have been appointed:

Artificial Intelligence Advisory Council

Cody York, Member

Lynne Parker, Member

Richard Littlehale, Member

Lang Wiseman, Member

Joe Baker, Member

Prasanna Balaprakash, Member

Patrick Sabatini, Member

Board of Accountancy

Rob Vance, West Tennessee Accountants

David Crenshaw, Attorney

Mike Parton, East Tennessee Accountants

Brad Buchanan, Middle Tennessee Accountants

Board for Licensing Contractors

Lee Carter, Commercial Contractors

Board of Medical Examiners

Ricky Shelton, Consumer Member

Holocaust Education Commission

Rabbi Mark Schiftan, Chair

Susan Thorp, Member

Billy Orgel, Member

Tom Wood, Member

Alex Exelbierd, Member

Jack Belz, Member

Alison Lebovitz, Member

Katie High, Member

Jan Groveman, Member

Josh Lipman, Member

Motor Vehicle Commission

Ian Leavy, Representative of Manufacturing

Victor J. Evans, Representative of Consumers

John Rydell, Consumer Member

Nelson Andrews, 7th Congressional District

Public Utility Commission

David Jones, Commissioner

Real Estate Commission

Geoff Diaz, West Tennessee Realtor

Stacie Torbett, Public Member

State Energy Policy Council

Hash Hashemian, Energy Resource Extraction or Energy Production Industries

Jasbir Dhaliwal, Public College or University with Expertise in Energy Production

Betsey McCall, Residential Energy Users

State Textbook and Instructional Materials Quality Commission – Subject to Legislative Confirmation

Billy Bryan, Teacher or Supervisor

State Workforce Development Board

Martha Axford, Business Representative

Marshall Graves, Business Representative

Paul Jackson, Business Representative

Bill Godwin, Business Representative

Lee Sloan, Business Representative

Tennessee Arts Commission

Donald Fann, 6th Congressional District

Jan McNally, 3rd Congressional District

Howard Robertson, 9th Congressional District

Tennessee Board of Regents – Subject to Legislative Confirmation

Angela M. Richardson, Faculty Regent Representing TCATs

Nisha Powers, 9th Congressional District

Tennessee Commission on Children and Youth (TCCY)

Elaina Francisco, Youth Member

Leticia Rosas, Youth Member

Tennessee Council on Developmental Disabilities

Swathi Dasari, Mid-Cumberland Development District

Sarah Miller, Southwest Tennessee Development District

Courtney Johnson, First Tennessee Development District

Will Edwards, East Tennessee Development District

Bliss Welch, Southeast Tennessee Development District

Donna Nasso, Memphis-Delta Development District

Brigham Scallion, Northwest Tennessee Development District

Tennessee Education Lottery Corporation Board of Directors – Subject to Legislative Confirmation

Phillip Fulmer, Member

Tennessee Film, Entertainment, and Music Commission

Gebre Waddell, Member

Alicia Warwick, Member

Robert Twilley, Member

Andy Moates, Member

Tennessee Higher Education Commission

Will Perry, West Tennessee

Matthew Van Epps, Middle Tennessee

John Rader, Middle Tennessee

Mike Ragsdale, East Tennessee

Charles Wood, East Tennessee

Tennessee Historical Commission

Beverly Robertson, West Tennessee

Doris McMillan, Middle Tennessee

Susan Richardson Williams, East Tennessee

Kelly Wolfe, At-Large Member

Jim Kay, At-Large Member

Tennessee Police Officers Standards and Training Commission

Chief Dale Lane, Chief of Police

University of Tennessee Board of Trustees – Subject to Legislative Confirmation

David Watson, Member

John Compton, Member

Donnie Smith, Member

For more information visit https://www.tn.gov/governor/news.html

ACE Power and Corinth Celebrate Ribbon Cutting for New DC Fast EV Charger

Wed, 31 Jul 2024 16:25:17 GMT

Corinth, Miss – 31 July 2024 – Alcorn County Electric Power Association (ACE Power) yesterday celebrated the ribbon cutting for a new duo of DC Fast EV charger stations located at 300 Childs Street in Corinth, directly behind City Hall, marking a significant milestone for the community.

The installation of the state-of-the-art DC Fast EV chargers is a pivotal development, signifying Corinth and Alcorn County are embracing the future of transportation. The new charger, capable of delivering up to 125 kW of power, 62.5 kW per charging unit, will enable electric vehicle (EV) owners to quickly recharge their vehicles, making long-distance travel more convenient and sustainable.

“We are thrilled to partner with Seven States Power Corporation and Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) to bring this vital infrastructure to Corinth and Alcorn County,” said Sean McGrath, CEO at ACE Power. “The new DC Fast EV charger not only supports each of our organization’s continued commitment to sustainability but also opens up new opportunities for economic growth and environmental stewardship in our community.”

Key Benefits of New DC Fast EV Charger

Economic Growth: The charger will attract EV drivers to Corinth, increasing foot traffic and boosting local businesses.
Convenience for Residents: Local EV owners will have a reliable and fast charging option close to home, supporting the adoption of electric vehicles in the community.
Tourism and Travel: The charger makes downtown Corinth a strategic stop for EV drivers traveling through the region, potentially enhancing tourism and visitor spending.

“Seven States is thrilled to partner with local power companies in our mission to leverage innovative technology that moves the Tennessee Valley forward,” said Betsey Kirk McCall, President and CEO of Seven States Power Corporation. “Our partnerships enable us to design, develop, and deploy unique energy solutions that benefit the local community, regional economy and global environment for years to come.”

“TVA is partnering with local power companies like ACE to invest in charging infrastructure across the Tennessee Valley region,” said Amy Tate, TVA Southwest Region Executive. “These investments allow TVA to save drivers money and attract good jobs and tourism– all powered by electricity from TVA and your local power company.”

The ribbon cutting event featured remarks from local leaders and a ceremonial first charge from local businessmen Russell Smith and Tim Smith, demonstrating the charging stations’ fast-charge capabilities. Attendees had the opportunity to learn more about the benefits of electric vehicles and the positive impact this charger will have on Corinth and Alcorn County.

About Seven States Power Corporation

Seven States Power is an energy solutions cooperative that serves 153 local power companies across seven states of the Tennessee Valley. Their goal is to empower their member-owners to meet consumer demand for innovative energy in an evolving utility marketplace.

Seven States leverages innovative technology to design, develop and deploy energy solutions for their member-owners. Current projects include EV chargers, solar, battery storage, backup generation, combined heat and power, cyber security, data analytics and load management.

About Tennessee Valley Authority

For more than eight decades, the Tennessee Valley Authority has provided affordable electricity, environmental stewardship and economic development opportunities to the Tennessee Valley. TVA was established by Congress in 1933 to address a wide range of environmental, economic and technological issues, including the need for low-cost electricity, and navigation and flood control along the Tennessee River system.

As the nation’s largest government-owned power provider, TVA delivers reliable, competitively priced electricity to local power companies and major industrial customers and federal installations. The Tennessee Valley Authority is committed to limiting the environmental impact of its operations and protecting the natural resources of the region. TVA helps strengthen the regional economy by building partnerships with communities and the business sector to foster job growth and retention.

Seven States Attends The Annual TVC Summit

Fri, 19 Jul 2024 16:27:05 GMT

In May, Seven States Power Corporation attended the Tennessee Valley Corridor National Summit in Nashville. The Annual TVC National Summit is an important opportunity to meet with industry leaders. In addition to sharing insights and fostering connections, Seven States was proud to have our President and CEO and TVC board member, Betsey Kirk McCall, moderate a panel entitled Driving Innovation & Job Creation in Transportation & Mobility. Pictured together are Joe Knox Director, Technology Deployment Seven States, Lance Irwin, VP of Partnerships and Project Development Seven States, Congressman Chuck Fleischmann, and Betsey Kirk McCall, President and CEO Seven States. Congressman Fleischmann previously joined the Seven States team to view its installation of a unique solar arbor at Rock City in Chattanooga, TN. Click HERE to view highlights from the TVC National Summit sessions. Learn more about ongoing efforts for the TVC Federal Agenda, Workforce Initiatives, and Rural Innovation Initiatives HERE .

Seven States Power to Partner With Chattanooga Area Food Bank

Thu, 18 Jul 2024 16:28:31 GMT

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. – Seven States Power Corporation and the Chattanooga Area Food Bank are working together to design, develop, and deploy an energy technology roadmap that will benefit the Food Bank in a sustainable way. The roadmap will save on operational costs for the food bank, allowing more of their budget to serve communities across 20 counties.

“We are always striving to become a more efficient and sustainable organization,” said Melissa Blevins, Chattanooga Area Food Bank President & CEO. “This partnership with Seven States Power allows us to pursue innovative solutions to increase our efficiency and decrease our environmental impact.”

Through this partnership, the goal is to bring the food bank into the future of energy, freeing up funds and resources to better serve the community.

“Seven States loves to leverage innovation and expertise to help partners across the region achieve their goals for energy and deliver on their impactful missions,” said Betsey Kirk McCall, Seven States Power President & CEO.

Stay tuned for updates on this important project.

New EV charging station open in Hartselle

Tue, 09 Jul 2024 16:31:41 GMT

Special to the Enquirer

Through a partnership with the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA), ADECA, the City of Hartselle and Seven States Power Corporation, Hartselle Utilites has brought a fourth EV charging station to the city.

“We moved quickly to participate in the Fast Charge Network because we want to make it easy for people traveling on Interstate 65, Highway 36, Highway 31 and the citizens of Hartselle to have access to this network. The DC fast chargers are conveniently located downtown where people can eat or shop while they are charging their electric vehicle,” Bob Sittason, general manager of Hartselle Utilities said.

“The funding from TVA and ADECA makes it possible to add DC fast chargers in our community by providing 100 percent of the project cost. We would not have been able to do this project without their funding. We appreciate Mayor Randy Garrison and the City of Hartselle providing the site and partnering with us on this project. I would also like to thank our electric linemen who did a commendable job installing the two chargers.”

This fast charger installation is part of the regional Fast Charge Network that will cover major travel corridors across TVA’s seven-state service area and will complement the broader efforts of the National Electric Highway Coalition, which seeks to enable long-distance EV travel by placing fast chargers along interstates and major highways throughout the United States, according HU.

TVA has brought together local power companies, state and local government partners, and others to pave the way for over 200,000 EVs on Tennessee Valley roads by 2028.

Hartselle Utilities said the benefits that these EVs bring to the Tennessee Valley are significant:

Attracting high-quality jobs – $17.2 billion in EV and battery manufacturing have helped create more than 14,000 EV-related jobs in the past 10 years
Reducing carbon emissions from gasoline vehicles by almost 1 million metric tons per year or the equivalent of the carbon sequestered by 1 million acres of U.S. forests in one year
Reinvesting $120 million in the local economy every year from electric refueling
Saving drivers up to $1,000 in fuel and maintenance costs every year

“Seven States is trusted by local power companies across the Tennessee Valley to deliver EV charging technology for their consumers,” Betsey Kirk McCall, President and CEO of Seven States Power Corporation added. “Impactful partnerships like this benefit the local community, regional economy and global environment for years to come.”

Hartselle Utilities, together with representatives from the City of Hartselle and stakeholders, held a ribbon cutting July 3 marking the official opening of the charging station.

Driving Electric in Humphreys County Made Easier

Mon, 08 Jul 2024 16:34:32 GMT

MLEC connects Waverly to Fast Charge TN and regional network.

(June 28, 2024 – Waverly, TN) — Meriwether Lewis has prepared our service area for more electric vehicles as automakers retool their factories to bring more EVs on the roadways in the next decade.

MLEC has officially opened two EV fast chargers at its Waverly District office at 210 West Main Street as part of Fast Charge TN, a partnership between the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA), the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation (TDEC), and Seven States Power Corporation. Through the program, TVA and TDEC provided 80 percent of the project cost and made fast chargers possible in the community.

“We moved quickly to participate in Fast Charge TN because we want to make EVs a choice for our community so members can enjoy the environmental and economic benefits of electric transportation,” said MLEC President and CEO Keith Carnahan. “MLEC now has four EV chargers located in its service area. With Waverly’s addition and Hohenwald’s existing chargers, driving electric is easier than ever for members.”

MLEC’s participation expands the regional Fast Charge Network that will cover major travel corridors across TVA’s seven-state service area and will complement the broader efforts of the National Electric Highway Coalition , which seeks to enable long-distance EV travel by placing fast chargers along interstates and major highways throughout the United States.

TVA and TDEC have brought together local power companies, state and local government partners, and others to pave the way for over 200,000 EVs on Tennessee Valley roads by 2028. The benefits that these EVs bring to the Tennessee Valley region are significant:

Attracting high-quality jobs – $17.2 billion in EV and battery manufacturing has helped create over 14,000 EV-related jobs in the past 10 years
Reducing carbon emissions from gasoline vehicles by almost 1 million metric tons per year or the equivalent of the carbon sequestered by 1 million acres of U.S. forests in one year
Reinvesting $120 million in the local economy every year from electric refueling
Saving drivers up to $1,000 in fuel and maintenance costs every year

“At TVA we’ve moved far beyond connecting communities with power lines,” said TVA EnergyRight Vice President Monika Beckner. “Today, EVs use our clean, low-cost, reliable electricity to connect communities and commerce across our region. Taking a leadership role in EV charging infrastructure allows TVA to save drivers money and attract good jobs and tourism– all powered by electricity from TVA and your local power company.”

“Tennessee’s air is cleaner as measured by federal air quality standards than it has been in generations, and a clean environment helps drive economic development,” TDEC Deputy Commissioner Greg Young said. “TDEC is partnering with TVA and MLEC on the development of this station to continue Tennessee’s environmental and economic momentum while further entrenching our state as the epicenter of the electric vehicle transition.”

To learn more about the Fast Charge Network, calculate how much money an EV could save you or locate EV charging stations on your travel route, check out https://energyright.com/ev/ .

Learn more about Fast Charge TN here: www.tn.gov/EVFastCharge .

Huntsville Utilities Ribbon Cutting For New Ev Dc Fast Charger

Mon, 01 Jul 2024 16:37:44 GMT

On Friday, June 28, at 12:00pm, Huntsville Utilities, The City of Huntsville, Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA), Seven States Power Corporation, and ChargePoint/Owl Services held a ribbon cutting for a new electric vehicle DC fast charger facility (DCFC) in the Publix parking garage at Twickenham Square (310 Pelham Avenue).

This facility, which can accommodate up to four EVs, is part of TVA’s initiative to have fast chargers at least every 50 miles throughout the TVA service area. Funding for the chargers came from an 80/20 split between TVA and Huntsville Utilities (respectively). A DCFC can charge a typical EV to 80% in 20 minutes to an hour.

“Huntsville and Madison County have seen significant growth in the number of EVs in recent years,” said Quisha Bryant, Director of Parking and Public Transit for the City of Huntsville. “We appreciate our partnership with Huntsville Utilities, TVA, and all those involved to bring more rapid charging infrastructure to our community.”

Huntsville Utilities is a not-for-profit, public utility owned by the City of Huntsville, Alabama, serving the residents of Huntsville and Madison County. The utility currently has approximately 223,000 electric, 108,000 water, and 63,000 natural gas customers. Our mission is to strengthen trust in Huntsville Utilities, our vision is to deliver excellent customer experiences, and our values are to do what’s right, build community, and get better every day.

Check us out on Yahoo News!

Mark Malone

Thu, 20 Jun 2024 17:36:43 GMT

Mark Malone knows that innovation and long-term planning are paramount in his industry.

During his tenure as General Manager and CEO of Sand Mountain Electric Cooperative, Mark learned early that continuously implementing innovative technology is the key to the sustained success of his organization. We asked him to share how he’s preparing his LPC’s infrastructure for the future:

“Our most significant technology adoption has been the implementation of our TWACS AMI system about 11 or 12 years ago. The savings with automated meter readings, elimination of slow mechanical meters, and reduction of reading errors have been extremely valuable. Members have also benefited from prepaid billing options, customer portal information, and robust usage data, which allows our team to pinpoint usage. Several months ago, I also decided we should move forward with an outage management system. We recently added another engineer to ensure this project’s success, and it’s been tremendous. Our members appreciate the real-time data map that’s featured on social media and our website.”

Mark wants his community to know that Sand Mountain Electric Cooperative’s mission is to ensure that they are prepared for the technology of the future so that their members’ lives are continuously improved.

“The most impactful technology changes over the next five years will be the computer software and AMI systems required to handle complex time-of-use billing rates and tracking distributed generation sources on our grid. The AMI and software systems will need to be capable of capturing, transmitting, and processing huge amounts of data. LPCs must be ready to meet those needs in order to deliver the best possible service to the Valley.”

Mark’s advice to new managers who aren’t sure about where to start when it comes to implementing innovation is to rely on the help of others’ knowledge and experience.

“New GMs should understand that they will never have all of the answers. Use the expertise within your company. Most LPCs will have hundreds of years of experience within the walls of their utility. By all means, use it, and don’t worry about who gets the credit. Hire good people, let them do their jobs, and be sure you recognize their efforts.”

Jeff McDonald

Thu, 20 Jun 2024 16:48:03 GMT

Leading Tuscumbia Utilities as General Manager for the last eight years, Jeff McDonald knows how vital it is to prepare his system for the future. He offered the following thoughts regarding his LPC’s approach to the implementation of new technology:

“I always try to look for technology that can make our service better and ensure our customers’ lives are continuously improved. We implemented online payments and applications during Covid, and a lot of those processes will continue to evolve as we look to provide more online options for our customers in the future. We’re looking forward to transitioning to AMR as well, which will be a tremendous asset to both our customers and our team, with the ability to provide real-time data and potentially heading off any unnecessary energy usage. We know that this will improve the quality of our customers’ lives, and that’s ultimately what fuels every decision we make.”

Jeff knows that this industry evolves rapidly, and he shared how Seven States can help LPCs navigate the innovative changes in the Valley.

“Seven States’ intentional presence at district meetings and other events around the Valley is valuable for LPCs who might not know where to start on implementing innovation. They’re always ready to share what works, what doesn’t, and are knowledgeable in a wide variety of technologies, whether it be EV chargers, solar, batteries, or anything else coming down the road. It’s nice to see somebody that’s actually in a boots-on-the-ground role and to hear from other LPCs that have had successful projects with them.”

When asked about what advice he’d give to a new manager who wants to pursue innovation, Jeff shared that it’s important to keep the customer at the heart of every decision.

“Every single day, you have to do what’s best for the ratepayer. They are your lifeline, and you have to steward their resources and go above and beyond to serve them well. With a smaller system, sometimes the timing for new projects just isn’t right yet, but with each decision you make, as long as you’re confident that what you’re doing is truly the best thing for the ratepayer, your community will benefit greatly.”

FPU cuts the ribbon on EV charging stations

Tue, 18 Jun 2024 17:40:39 GMT

Fayetteville, TN – It was a time of celebration Wednesday morning as Fayetteville Public Utilities (FPU) officially cut the ribbon on its electric vehicle (EV) charging stations. Representatives from FPU, the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) and Seven States Power Corporation along with state and local officials gathered at 110 College Street West in downtown Fayetteville to celebrate the installation of 2 EV fast chargers.

FPU CEO/General Manager Britt Dye welcomed guests to the ribbon cutting to officially open the EV charging stations and to celebrate the utility’s entry into the Fast Charge Tennessee Network. As part of the network, the Fayetteville chargers will appear on maps EV drivers use to find nearby charging stations.

FPU partnered with TVA and TDEC as well as Seven States Power Corporation to install these charging stations and help ensure that Fayetteville is ready for the growth of electric transportation with public, fast charging infrastructure. Grant funding from TVA and TDEC made the charging stations possible with FPU contributing to the project as well.

When addressing the audience, FPU Chairman of the Board Russ Dixon commented, “I would like to thank TDEC and TVA for their partnership and vision in helping make the Fast Charge Network possible. I would also like to recognize the City of Fayetteville for their collaboration with FPU to secure this site and make this charging station a reality. I am proud of FPU for making this exciting addition to our city possible. Connecting Fayetteville to the Fast Charge Network is just one example of how the FPU team continues to keep our community at the forefront of innovation.”

“EVs are going to be around for a long time,” said Tennessee Speaker of the House Pro Tempore and Tennessee State Representative Pat Marsh. “I’m proud to see FPU, TDEC and TVA partner to do this in Fayetteville next to the square in such a wonderful location.”

Tennessee State Representative Clay Doggett remarked, “Owners of EVs plan their routes by where they can find places to charge. With this being on the map, it will be an exciting time for visitors that are coming into our communities. I guarantee that someone will enjoy a slaw burger for the first time because of this charging station. Congratulations to all involved who helped put this together.”

Seven States Power Corporation Director of Technology Alignment B.J. Bernard expressed his appreciation to those gathered, “Seven States is honored to be a part of this project with Fayetteville Public Utilities. We are excited about the TVA Fast Charge Network and congratulate FPU and local leaders who have helped support this project. This network is being deployed all over the Valley. There is a lot of work that goes into one of these projects . Thank you to the FPU team for your work here. This is a great looking site, and I commend you on that.”

According to TVA Community Relations Manager Chris Smith, “The Fast Charge Network will place public fast chargers like these at least every fifty miles across interstates and major highways in TVA’s 7 state area over the next 5 years. EVs will help move our local and regional economies forward in so many ways. This fast-charging site will serve local drivers and bring travelers into town to enjoy the amenities of Fayetteville while they refuel. EV chargers keep refueling dollars in our communities through local power companies like FPU. With projects like this one today, we are continuing in the spirit of innovation and our mission of service. Congratulations on this site.”

The station, capable of charging two vehicles at one time, is conveniently located in the public parking area near the square on College Street West. Designated EV-charging parking spaces denote the station and are clearly marked with signage.

“This new fast charging site does more than charge cars,” Dye commented. “It connects Fayetteville to the regional Fast Charge Network and plays an important role in preparing our region for the environmental and economic benefits of electric transportation. The public chargers will be utilized by those traveling through Fayetteville and will draw motorists to visit downtown shops and restaurants while their vehicles charge. It will create opportunities for local tourism as EV owners plan their roads trips to visit new destinations and enjoy towns they might not visit otherwise. These stations represent another way FPU works to serve our community.”

To learn more about the Fast Charge Network or locate EV charging stations on your travel route, visit https://energyright.com/ev/.

Dave Puskala

Wed, 05 Jun 2024 20:51:51 GMT

Dave Puskala knows how vital innovative technology is for the future of his industry.

Serving as Superintendent since 2021, Dave has led Glasgow Electric Plant Board with an emphasis on strategic technological deployment in an effort to protect and strengthen his system.

“We were very fortunate that we didn’t sustain direct damage from the tornados at the end of 2021, but that made us realize that we wanted to ensure our system was strengthened for future events, which is why we’ve been preparing for the deployment of our outage management system this year. We’re also relaunching our fiber-to-the-home project and anticipate we’ll be connecting customers to the second phase of it in June, with the hope that any customer, in our electric footprint, who wants to be part of our fiber network would be able to connect by the end of 2025. Our goal is to use a wide variety of technology to not only protect our system, but to ultimately allow us to provide better service and reliability to our customers.”

Dave credits Seven States with being trusted energy experts in a time where the industry is changing rapidly and LPCs can suffer from information overload.

“For smaller LPCs, change and technology can often be overwhelming. Often, it’s hard to know what technology is the right fit, and there just isn’t enough manpower and time to devote to the investigative work a new project usually requires. There are real opportunities for LPCs to take advantage of a partnership with Seven States in order to help navigate the waters for technology deployments.”

With his years of leadership, Dave’s advice to a new GM is to keep the customer and your LPC team at the forefront of every decision you make, especially when considering implementing innovation.

“Look to technologies that improve reliability and the delivery of the electric product to the customer. Making sure the system operates as it’s supposed to ensure reliability is an extremely vital aspect, but another aspect that is just as important is ensuring that your system and operations are running safely. Whether it’s someone out in the field operating a breaker, or someone sitting in the office operating SCADA, you have to be confident that everything is running reliably so that everyone makes it home at the end of the day. Providing safe, reliable power for our community is the heartbeat of what we do every single day.”

###

Alan Gates

Wed, 05 Jun 2024 20:48:08 GMT

With 35 years of experience in the industry, Alan Gates’ transition to President and CEO of Pennyrile Rural Electric Cooperative Corporation in 2018 provided him an opportunity to prepare his system for the future.

“There was a real need for broadband-to-the-home in our community. We already had SCADA and some other things in place at PRECC that would enable our system to work better for our members, but we knew that there was more we could offer. We started working on outlining broadband deployment in 2020 and have established a solid pathway to completion. I think by this time next year, we’ll have made significant progress on that front.”

In an industry that is evolving rapidly, Alan wants his members to know that he keeps his community’s needs in mind with every decision he makes.

“None of this is about me at all. The focus is always on what is best for our membership as a whole, and even as recently as the broadband project—we absolutely had to find a route that provided a desperately needed solution for the community. We had to figure out a way to serve each and every member. We’re thankful that with some help, we were able to do that and look forward to the positive impact it’s going to have on our community.”

With so much growth in the Valley, Alan encourages new leaders to truly plug in and get to know their community in order to know what innovation would be of most value.

“What works for one cooperative or LPC doesn’t necessarily work for everyone else. You have to listen to the people that you serve, work with your boards, and just make the best decision for your community. At the end of the day, that’s the reason we do what we do, and it’s important to keep that in focus.”

Decatur Utilities announces installation of two Level 3 Fast EV Chargers for Decatur

Thu, 16 May 2024 17:42:09 GMT

Decatur Utilities, in partnership with TVA, the Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs (ADECA), City of Decatur and Seven States Power Corporation, is excited to announce the installation of two Level 3 Fast Electric Vehicle charging stations in the parking lot off Holly St. located between the Princess Theatre and the Cook Museum of Natural History. A ribbon cutting for the new charging stations will be held Thursday, May 16th at 10 a.m.

This installation is part of the regional Fast Charge Network that will cover major travel corridors across TVA’s seven-state service area and will complement the broader efforts of the National Electric Highway Coalition, which seeks to enable long-distance EV travel by placing fast chargers along interstates and major highways throughout the United States.

“DU is pleased to participate in this endeavor,” said Ray Hardin, General Manager of Decatur Utilities. “Electric vehicles are becoming more popular with each passing year and this will ensure that motorists have access to a rapid charging station – whether they are local residents or visitors traveling through our area.”

TVA and ADECA provided the funding, the City of Decatur provided two parking spaces and Seven States Power Corporation coordinated the project with DU’s Electric Engineering team. Hardin credited that collaboration with making the project a reality. “This did not involve any direct funds from our ratepayers,” he said. “However, they will reap the benefit of having a rapid charging station here in the DU service area.” Customers using the chargers pay a retail rate for the electricity used.

“TVA is partnering with local power companies like Decatur Utilities and state agencies like ADECA to invest in charging infrastructure across the Tennessee Valley region because electric vehicles benefit everyone,” said Jared Mitchem, TVA Regional Vice President – South. “These investments allow TVA to save drivers money and attract good jobs and tourism– all powered by electricity from TVA and your local power company.”

Dobbs & Company Electrical Contractors (DCED) installed the two Level 3 rapid chargers. Level 3 Direct Current (DC) chargers have power output from 60kW to 120kW which can charge the average Electric Vehicle to 80% within 30 minutes.

To learn more about the Fast Charge Network, calculate how much money an EV could save you or locate EV charging stations on your travel route, check out https://energyright.com/ev/ .

Rodney Metcalf

Tue, 14 May 2024 21:02:38 GMT

Rodney Metcalf knows the value of innovation and its wide-reaching impact on the Valley.
Leading Mountain Electric Cooperative as General Manager, Rodney is focused on bringing
innovation to his community to improve his members’ lives.

“Fiber is the foundation for everything that we’ll be working on over the next couple of
years. Implementing SCADA and the AMI automated pieces of equipment out in the
field—all of it contributes to our reliability factor and being able to get the power back
even faster. Seeing real-time readouts on the meter and everything being connected
often allows us to fix problems before the member even knows about it. That’s been a
huge help for us.”

With all the changes taking place in his LPC footprint, Rodney wants his members to know
that their success and wellbeing are at the forefront of every decision he makes.

“So many people are relying upon technology and the internet for their livelihood, and
there are even folks in our community who provide medical care to others from their
home offices. The more reliable we are as a power provider; the more people are able to
work and even receive valuable care. It impacts everything, and my goal is to make sure
we’re doing everything we can to operate our system proactively, and fiber and smart-
grid technology ensures that reliability stays at the forefront.”

When asked what advice he’d give to new managers, Rodney shared that keeping an open mind and
embracing innovation is key.

“You have to change any mindset that incorporates the phrase, ‘That’s the way we’ve
always done it.’ You have to ask yourself instead, ‘How can we help serve our
community?’ The answers to that question often require investment and infrastructure,
but we have the technology to help our community succeed—and somebody’s got to do
the work and ensure that it gets done right. That’s what we strive to do every day.”

Candace Vannasdale

Tue, 14 May 2024 20:57:00 GMT

Candace Vannasdale is no stranger to technological advancements in our industry. Serving since
May 2018 as the first ever female General Manager for Harriman Utility Board has given her an
opportunity to see her team put their technical experience to work for her community.

“In the past, some of the smartest technology investments HUB made included the purchase and implementation of SCADA, outage management software (OMS), Interactive voice response, GIS mapping, electric modeling software, and our Customer Service & Billing software. For nearly a decade, our customers have been able to report power outages via IVR, which is tied to our prediction-based OMS. We’re also actively working on implementing AMI for the first time, in addition to working on projects such as electric vehicle (EV) fast-charge infrastructure, a utility-scale solar project to take advantage of TVA’s Flexibility 1.0, smart grid technologies, fiber for electric system benefits, and fiber-to-the-home (FTTH) broadband service.”

Candace credits Seven States as being a valuable partner for HUB as the needs of its customers continue to evolve.

“Due to our size, we don’t have adequate staff to tackle major technology and innovation projects on our own. Seven States has allowed us to complete projects that we don’t have the time, resources, or understanding to manage entirely in-house. And because they are a not-for-profit, member-owned organization, we have always felt comfortable that the solutions Seven States recommends are best for the community we serve and not for their own bottom line. We’ve contracted with Seven States on a utility-scale solar project, where they wrote our RFP, helped us analyze the responses, and are now helping us negotiate a purchase power agreement (PPA). I would recommend any LPC to utilize this service to explore their options for “flexibility”. One of the biggest mistakes we made was assuming that our solar farm would be “too small” to be a viable economic choice, when in fact, the PPA we negotiate with our solar vendor will lead to substantial savings for our rate payers. Seven States is also helping us through a TVA-funded EV Fast Charge Network project. Without the help of Seven States, the project would have moved much slower and cost more. Seven States educated us about available tax credits for our project, so in the end our project will be 100% covered by outside sources and will include our first battery energy storage system (BESS). Seven States has proven their value to us, and we hope they will play a larger role in grid modernization throughout the Valley to help all LPCs participate in the more integrated grid of the future.”

As the Valley continues to grow and transform, Candace wants her customers to know that she is planning for immediate needs with long-term innovation benefits in mind.

“HUB’s vision is to inspire social and economic improvement through intentional action. We are a small system with large system ambitions. We strive to be a purpose-driven organization, where each decision plays on another with our vision in mind. When it comes to innovation, we seek to transform HUB into a smarter utility that will meet changing customer expectations both now and in the future. We’re currently writing a grant application for a project that will allow HUB to improve reliability by as much as 70%. But even if we are not funded, this project will still occur, just over a much longer timeframe. We take our job as the trusted energy advisor in our community very seriously, and that means day after day, we strive to act with professionalism and strict adherence to our strategic plan.”

While change can often be intimidating in our industry, Candace advises future leaders who want to inspire innovation in their community to work hard and embrace the challenges.

“Don’t let anyone tell you that you can’t do something. Anything is possible; it’s truly just a matter of priorities. Develop a list of goals and formulate a ‘road map’ for achieving those goals. Obtain buy-in from your employees and governing board, and never be afraid to reach out to others for help or support. The most beautiful thing about public power is the relationships we form with one another. When others achieve success, they are always willing to share how. When others experience failures, they are willing to share lessons learned. Working together, we can yield some amazing results.”

BrightRidge, Johnson City unveil first publicly available Level 3 EV Charger

Fri, 10 May 2024 17:48:41 GMT

JOHNSON CITY — BrightRidge, the City of Johnson City, and the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation celebrated an important milestone for electric vehicle adoption in the region with a Thursday morning ribbon-cutting of the first public Level 3 EV fast charger

in Johnson City and Washington County.

Located in the Cherry Street Parking Lot at the corner of South Roan Street and State of Franklin Road, the charging station marks a new era of convenient fast charging for EV drivers in Johnson City and those traveling through on Interstate 26 nearby. “This public Level 3 charging station and the state-supported network along our major interstates is a huge step in making electric vehicle ownership possible,” BrightRidge CEO Jeff

Dykes said. “By providing quick recharging for those on longer trips, this infrastructure chips away at electric vehicle range anxiety, a very real barrier to EV adoption.” Last year, TDEC and the Tennessee Valley Authority announced a $20 million Fast Charge TN Network to add about 40 new fast charging stations to fill charging station gaps on Tennessee interstates and highways. Fast Charge TN is working to ensure a fast-charging station is available at least every 50 miles along Tennessee’s interstates.

The charging station grant project was made possible through a cooperative effort between BrightRidge, the City of Johnson City, TDEC and Seven States Power Corporation, which provided grant writing and technical assistance.

TDEC awarded BrightRidge a $350,000 grant from its Volkswagen Settlement Environmental Mitigation Trust, through which the State is supporting the Fast Charge TN Network. BrightRidge also contributed a 20% project matching grant.

“Tennessee’s air is cleaner as measured by federal air quality standards than it has been in generations, and a clean environment helps drive economic development,” TDEC Deputy Commissioner Greg Young said. “TDEC is partnering with TVA and BrightRidge on the development of this station to continue Tennessee’s environmental and economic momentum while further entrenching our state as the epicenter of the electric vehicle transition.”

The new charging station hosts two leading-edge ChargePoint Level 3 chargers. According to the US Department of Transportation, Level 3 chargers, also known as Direct Current Fast Chargers, can charge a Battery Electric Vehicle to 80 percent in just 20 minutes to one hour depending on the vehicle car manufacturer and model. Stated in terms of mileage, DC Fast Charging can provide between 180 – 240 miles of range per hour.

Designated EV-charging parking spaces denote the station and are clearly marked with signage and white “EV” symbols to identify them. The chargers will cost .42 cents per kilowatt-hour (kWh) delivered.

“This new infrastructure is designed to encourage more residents and visitors to consider electric vehicles as a viable option,” Dykes said. “Based on what we have seen to date, electric vehicle market share will only continue to grow over time.”

BrightRidge operates six Level 2 charging stations, two at its Boones Creek Road corporate office, which are free for customer use, as well as two fee units in downtown Johnson City and two in downtown Jonesborough. BrightRidge also assisted East Tennessee State University with 10 Level 2 installations on its campus and the Gray Fossil Site.

Depending on vehicle model and manufacturer, Level 2 chargers can provide 10-20 miles of range per hour of charging and provide an opportunity to top off a BEV while the owner is at school, shopping or visiting a major regional tourist attraction.

About BrightRidge

BrightRidge is the leading provider of electric and fiber broadband infrastructure and services in Northeast Tennessee. The company is committed to delivering reliable, affordable, and sustainable solutions for more than 83,000 customers in Washington, Sullivan, Greene and Carter counties.

New Electric Vehicle (EV) Fast Charging Station Unveiled

Thu, 25 Apr 2024 17:59:15 GMT

SPRINGFIELD, Tenn. – The City of Springfield gathered with the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation (TDEC), the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA), and Seven States Power Corporation on Thursday, April 25, for the grand opening of a new electric vehicle (EV) fast charging station located at City Hall, 405 North Main Street.

Mayor Ann Williams opened the ceremony by expressing gratitude to the collaborative efforts of all project partners. Key figures including Springfield Electric Director Terry Resha, TDEC Deputy Director of External Affairs Tara Pedraza, Seven States Power Corporation Director of Technology Alignment Joe Knox, and TVA North Regional Vice President Justin Maierhofer provided insight into the project's significance. The ceremony concluded with an inaugural charge of two electric vehicles.

The new charging station was made possible thanks to a Volkswagen Diesel Settlement Environmental Mitigation Trust Grant from TDEC. The new charging station is part of Fast Charge TN Network, a partnership between TVA, and TDEC. This Fast Charge TN installation is part of the regional Fast Charge Network that will cover major travel corridors across TVA’s seven-state service area and will complement the broader efforts of the National Electric Highway Coalition , which seeks to enable long- distance EV travel by placing fast chargers along interstates and major highways throughout the United States. TDEC contributed approximately $250,000. The City of Springfield funded the remainder of the project totaling approximately $50,000.

Work to install the charging station began in March 2023. The City of Springfield selected Seven States Power Corporation as the vendor due to their expertise in EV charging technology.

The charging station is available to the public. Drivers will pay a fee to utilize the station. View the charging fee and learn more about the charging station at springfieldtn.gov/ev Learn more about Fast Charge TN at www.tn.gov/EVFastCharge. For more information, visit the City of Springfield website (www.springfieldtn.gov), follow us on Facebook, or receive email or text notifications by subscribing to Notify Me.

# # #

Seven States and Partners Deploy 8 New EV Charging Stations

Fri, 19 Apr 2024 18:00:38 GMT

The month of March, 2024, was a very busy one for us here at Seven States Power Corporation. We were pleased to be part of the deployment of 8 brand-new electric vehicle (EV) charging stations across the State of Tennessee. These installations take another important step toward advancing the work Seven States and our partners are doing to see the Fast Charge Network expand to include EV fast chargers every 50 miles across the Valley. These chargers are being built thanks to the collaboration of numerous public, private, and nonprofit entities all working together for the good of America’s current and future EV drivers.

We started March in Atoka, Tennessee, just north of Memphis. We worked with our partners at Southwest Tennessee Electric Membership Corporation and Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) as the town of Atoka celebrated the installation of 2 brand new EV fast chargers. The ribbon cutting ceremony was attended by several local officials, including Atoka’s mayor, Barry Akin.

In the middle of the month, we traveled to Lebanon, Tennessee to celebrate the installation of 4 new EV fast chargers. We worked closely with Middle Tennessee Electric (MTE), Tritium® EV Chargers, ZEF Energy, the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation (TDEC), and TVA to help usher in the future of energy technology. MTE’s Electric Griddle grilled cheese was a hit, too!

Finally, we ended the month in Tullahoma, Tennessee. Our team partnered with Tullahoma Utilities Authority, TDEC and TVA to install 2 EV fast chargers.

We get charged up when we see so many of our member-owner utilities working hard to make the grid of the future a reality. Seven States is leading the charge to design, develop, and deploy EV charging technologies and accelerate their adoption in the Valley. These infrastructural elements play a pivotal role in shaping the future of transportation across the United States.

Seven States Partners with UT & UTC For EV Charging Study

Thu, 18 Apr 2024 18:07:06 GMT

Chattanooga, TN – April 18, 2024

Seven States Power Corporation has recently partnered with the University of Tennessee, in both their Knoxville and Chattanooga campuses, for a study on the real-world impact of electric vehicle charging on the power grid.

While the data is new and still being analyzed, the current findings show that EV drivers who are using Tennessee Valley charging stations come from across the entire United States, and not just from the local population. This has already had a positive effect on local communities as EV charging revenue is collected, and it is projected that it will have a larger and continuing impact as more of our nation’s drivers make the switch to electric vehicles.

“The grid of the future is changing. It’s important that we analyze real-time data to determine the impact of EVs on the Valley and how to best plan for infrastructure to support it. We’re excited to partner with the University of Tennessee and UT Chattanooga in a collaborative effort to learn how to move the Valley forward,” says President and CEO Betsey Kirk McCall.

The study is also looking at the viability of EV-charging sites over a 5-year period. The findings of this study will be published in more depth upon its conclusion.

Seven States Bids Farewell to Steve Noe

Thu, 18 Apr 2024 18:04:26 GMT

Chattanooga, TN – April 17, 2024

In March 2024, Seven States Power Corporation said farewell to Steve Noe, who retired after serving as Vice President of Sustainability and Energy Resilience since 2018.

During his time with Seven States, he was at the forefront of multiple innovative projects across the Tennessee Valley, including Project Liftoff, in which we collaborated with Huntsville Utilities and the U.S. Space and Rocket Center to combine solar generation with EV charging and battery storage in a first-of-its-kind installation.

Steve also directed Seven States’ partnership with Rock City, Lightwave Solar, and the Electric Power Board (EPB) of Chattanooga, creating a unique solar arbor that resulted in both the addition of renewable energy and increased educational opportunities at the entrance to Rock City Gardens.

He was a consistent presence and force of engagement with local power companies in our goals to develop and deploy solar generation throughout the Tennessee Valley.

Steve is a Knoxville native who earned his degree in electrical engineering from the University of Tennessee. He served the Valley for over 30 years with his career including time at Knoxville Utilities Board, TVA, and TVPPA.

“It has been a blessing working with Steve over the last several years. Steve contributed significantly to the mission of Seven States, and I am most impressed by the way he embodied our Values. We wish Steve the very best in a well-deserved retirement.” -Betsey Kirk McCall, President & CEO of Seven States Power Corporation.

Frankie Moorman: Pontotoc Electric Power Association

Fri, 08 Mar 2024 21:15:31 GMT

With 27 years of industry experience, Frankie Moorman is no stranger to change, and his leadership of Pontotoc Electric Power Association has been an opportunity to ensure his system was prepared for the future. He shared some insight regarding how his LPC has navigated the deployment of new technology:

“One of the most needed changes for our system was switching over to AMI metering. Collecting data in person had become outdated and often unsafe for our team, and finishing the conversion to AMI in 2022 has proven to be incredibly valuable. It’s streamlined the entire process, provided more safety for our employees, and it has also helped us tremendously with the data we use to manage our system. We’re now even able to print out an individual customer’s usage in order to help them determine how to save more energy. It’s streamlined everything that we do and enabled us to better serve our community.”

Frankie has big plans for Pontotoc EPA’s future, and he shared how partnering with the Seven States team provides support in deploying new technology efficiently.

“Seven States’ team was instrumental in helping us through the process of installing our new EV chargers last year—the technology was all new to us. They took care of everything. Even though we're a rural co-op, our chargers are being used every day, and we are really excited to be able to provide these for our members and the people traveling through our area that stop and charge on their route to their destination. Seven States made the whole process so easy; we’re extremely pleased with the work they did for us.”

Frankie’s work with Seven States is just one part of his plan for innovative advancement in his LPC footprint, and he wants his members to know that he takes the role of planning for the future seriously:

“At the end of the day, I want my members to know that I ask myself every day, ‘What do my members need, and how can we provide that?’ The only way to discover the answer to that is to stay plugged in to our community, going out and talking to the members, and researching how we can offer what they need to them. My goal is to always provide the safest, most reliable, low-cost power to our members. That's my job, and that’s what I strive to do every single day.”

Rob Neely: Oxford Utilities General Manager

Fri, 08 Mar 2024 21:08:53 GMT

“Fiber is the foundation for everything that we’ll be working on over the next couple of
years. Implementing SCADA and the AMI automated pieces of equipment out in the
field—all of it contributes to our reliability factor and being able to get the power back
even faster. Seeing real-time readouts on the meter and everything being connected
often allows us to fix problems before the member even knows about it. That’s been a
huge help for us.”

With all the changes taking place in his LPC footprint, Rodney wants his members to know
that their success and wellbeing are at the forefront of every decision he makes.

“So many people are relying upon technology and the internet for their livelihood, and
there are even folks in our community who provide medical care to others from their
home offices. The more reliable we are as a power provider; the more people are able to
work and even receive valuable care. It impacts everything, and my goal is to make sure
we’re doing everything we can to operate our system proactively, and fiber and smart-
grid technology ensures that reliability stays at the forefront.”

When asked what advice he’d give to new managers, Rodney shared that keeping an open mind and
embracing innovation is key.

“You have to change any mindset that incorporates the phrase, ‘That’s the way we’ve
always done it.’ You have to ask yourself instead, ‘How can we help serve our
community?’ The answers to that question often require investment and infrastructure,
but we have the technology to help our community succeed—and somebody’s got to do
the work and ensure that it gets done right. That’s what we strive to do every day.”

Here we grow again. Stacey joins the team.

Wed, 06 Mar 2024 18:13:40 GMT

CHATTANOOGA, Tennessee – March 06, 2024 – Seven States Power Corporation has further enhanced its ability to engage and serve LPCs in the Tennessee Valley by adding a new staff member.

Stacey Painter has joined Seven States as an Accounting Specialist.

Seven States continues to expand its staff size and has cemented its role as a trusted technology provider and innovation partner for its member-owners: the 153 local power companies in the Tennessee Valley.

“Our growing team is focused on delivering excellence to member-owners as we continue to build the grid of the future across the Tennessee Valley,” said Betsey Kirk McCall, President and CEO of Seven States Power Corporation . “We are excited to welcome Stacey to the team.”

Stacey joins Seven States from Senior Living Support Services in Cleveland, TN, where she most recently served as the Payroll and Benefits Coordinator, Human Resources Manager, and Assistant to the VP of Human Resources and Risk Management. In addition to her extensive office management, payroll, and accounting experience, she also provided training for all HR managers in Senior Living Support Services’ long-term care facilities. Painter previously served as a business office assistant for New Age Media where she acquired valuable skills in critical office support, including billing and contract analysis.

Painter holds a bachelor’s degree from Midwestern State University.

“I am excited to join the professionals at Seven States who serve the Tennessee Valley with such dedication and expertise,” said Stacey Painter, Accounting Specialist. “I am thrilled to be a part of this team as it continues to evolve with an eye toward the future of the Tennessee Valley.”

###

Seven States Seeks DOE GRIP Grant for Battery Storage and Microgrids

Wed, 24 Jan 2024 18:19:44 GMT

As part of Seven States’ continuing role in building the energy system of the future, we have identified battery energy storage as a critical technology for ensuring a resilient grid – today, tomorrow, and in the future. As part of our ongoing efforts to deploy 300MW of battery energy storage, Seven States Power Corporation submitted a concept paper under the DOE GRIP Grant opportunity. The concept consisted of partnering with 20+ local power companies (LPCs) to install multiple battery storage units and microgrids at 60+ sites across the Tennessee Valley.

The battery storage systems will be connected through a fiber optics network and will have the capability for remote aggregation and dispatch by Seven States. Each battery storage system will be owned by and located at an LPC distribution substation with new automated switches that enable “islanding” of circuits, thus providing a resilient and reliable source of power to mitigate the effects of disruptions and outages. The batteries may be charged with excess energy comprised of the least carbon-intensive fuel sources available and will discharge lower-carbon stored energy during on-peak

periods, thereby reducing higher-carbon peak generation.

LPCs will be able to reduce their wholesale demand charges by discharging the battery on their peaks. The battery storage systems will be scalable across the Valley allowing for a rapid deployment of resilient assets. With a large volume of new resilient assets

installed, the opportunity exists to aggregate for load management benefits at both the distribution and generation level.

Grant submittals will be evaluated by DOE over the next three to four months and applicants will be notified if they are encouraged to submit a full application. If awarded, the system would take three to five years to fully implement.

If you are interested in learning more about the GRIP grant or other energy storage services provided by Seven States, contact Lance Irwin at lirwin@7spc.com.

Seven States President & CEO Presents at 2024 NRECA CEO Close-Up

Tue, 09 Jan 2024 21:18:53 GMT

Betsey Kirk McCall, Seven States’ President & CEO, recently attended the 2023 NRECA CEO Close-Up event in Phoenix, AZ, where she shared her experience as a leader of a cooperative that is building the Tennessee Valley’s grid of the future.

This annual event is the premier conference for America’s electric cooperatives that attracts more than 800 co-op CEOs, GMs, and industry experts to share ideas and best practices. McCall spoke at a breakout session titled “Cooperatives Navigating Electric Avenue: Understanding New EV-related Loads” moderated by Jenna Denney, Electric Vehicle Strategy & Solutions Manager at NRECA. Other speakers in the session included Brian Heithoff, CEO, Trico Electric Cooperative, Inc. (Arizona) and Jessica Matlock, CEO, La Plata Electric Association, Inc. (Colorado).

Speakers discussed how the national power grid is rapidly evolving with the increasing deployment of distributed generation, controllable loads, and continued electrification. It was noted that the industry is quickly innovating in other ways, too, including in the areas of information technology, data analytics, robotics, remote sensors and other cutting-edge technology-based products and services for both electric utilities and
consumers.

McCall was pleased to see a number of Seven States members in attendance at the event, including Jennifer Brogdon of Upper Cumberland Electric Membership Corporation (UCEMC) and Keith Hayward of North East Mississippi Electric Power Association (NEMEPA).

National conferences like the NRECA CEO Close-Up allow Seven States an opportunity to learn how other cooperatives across America are handling industry changes while also sharing how an entity like Seven States can benefit large regions of the grid through shared resources, expertise, and relationships.

Industry Expert Joins Growing Team at Seven States Power Corporation

jbradshaw@7spc.com (Jessica Bradshaw) — Tue, 02 Jan 2024 21:21:43 GMT

CHATTANOOGA, Tennessee – January 2, 2024 – Today, Seven States Power Corporation has welcomed James Trott, an information technology specialist with over a decade of IT experience, to its growing team of Valley-based technology experts. Trott will serve as Technology Project Manager, a new role announced late last year to provide additional technical and project management support for the cooperative organization’s expanding portfolio of products and services.

Trott joins Seven States from Duck River Electric Membership Corporation (“DREMC”), an electric cooperative based in Shelbyville, TN, where he most recently served as IT Telecommunications Administrator.

Since 2021, Seven States has tripled in staff size, becoming a trusted energy and technology solutions provider for its 153 member-owner local power companies (“LPCs”) in the Tennessee Valley.

“As our impact across the Tennessee Valley continues to increase, led by strong demand from our member-owners, Seven States is growing our capacity to serve LPCs as we build the grid of the future,” said Betsey Kirk McCall, President and CEO of Seven States Power Corporation. “James will join our growing team of experts who are widely regarded as the go-to partner for LPCs interested in delivering innovative technology to their communities.”

Trott’s experience in IT includes service to Bedford County Government and later DREMC where he has been responsible for a wide range of responsibilities, including maintenance and upgrades for PC, network, and mobile device environments; additional roles included cybersecurity operations where he conducted compliance assessments and applied remediation efforts. In January 2022, Trott was promoted to IT Telecommunications Administrator at DREMC where his responsibilities grew to include the management of the Cooperative’s telephony and land mobile radio systems.

Trott earned a certificate in Computer Information Technology from the Tennessee College of Applied Technology-Shelbyville and is pursuing a Bachelor of Professional Studies in IT Management from Lipscomb University.

“I consider myself fortunate for the opportunity to contribute my skills and experience to help deploy technology projects in electrification and connectivity as a member of the Seven States team,” said James Trott, Technology Project Manager. “This growing organization continues to have a significant impact across the Valley, and I look forward to delivering on Seven States’ mission of service with my new team members.”

Kevin Murphy: Valley Innovation Ambassador

Wed, 27 Dec 2023 19:54:00 GMT

Kevin Murphy’s transition to President of Southwest Tennessee Electric Membership Corporation in 2009 was an opportunity to ensure his system was prepared for the future. He offered the following thoughts regarding how his LPC has navigated the deployment of needed technology:

Kevin wants his members to know that his team truly cares about their work and that they see keeping the lights on as one of the many ways they can positively impact the community. He emphasizes that approaching routine actions in innovative ways can make a world of difference:

Kevin is the first to say that Southwest’s positive impact on the Valley would not be possible without his team. His advice to general managers is to focus on your team’s strengths when deploying new technology.

###

Andrea Harrington: Valley Innovation Ambassador

Wed, 27 Dec 2023 19:51:00 GMT

Andrea Harrington knows that innovation and long-term planning are paramount in our industry.

Leading Weakley County Municipal Electric System (WCMES) as General Manager, Andrea has seen how continuously implementing innovative technology is essential to the sustained success of her organization and community. She shared how Seven States has helped with their projects’ deployment.

Above all, Andrea wants her customers to know that the WCMES’s mission is to serve the community and prioritize their needs.

For new managers, Andrea knows that innovation can often be intimidating. She offered this piece of advice to leaders who are considering bringing technological change to their service territory:

###

Jarrod Brackett: Valley Innovation Ambassador

Thu, 30 Nov 2023 16:57:00 GMT

Jarrod Brackett is no stranger to technological advancements in our industry. Serving Fort Loudoun Electric Cooperative (FLEC) as General Manager and CEO has given him an opportunity to see his team put their technical experience to work for his members.

“Broadband improvements/access and electric vehicle charging sites would top the list of most needed technology developments at Fort Loudoun Electric Cooperative in the future. FLEC strives to help our members evolve and embrace technological advancements to improve their lives. FLEC has about 140 miles of fiber optics that we utilize to offer middle mile and dark fiber opportunities. Some internet providers even use the FLEC network to interconnect their resources, often allowing them to get to a local business. The middle-mile network that Seven States is working toward could be a way to further enhance the established FLEC fiber network in the future. The interest in more EV charging sites has arisen from local businesses in our mostly rural area too.”

Jarrod credits Seven States as being a valuable partner for FLEC as the needs of its members continue to evolve.

“Earlier this year, we purchased some EV chargers through Seven States to provide some public access EV charging in the City of Madisonville and Tellico Plains. These municipalities and the Monroe County government have told us that these chargers are being utilized to promote local economic development. We’re grateful for Seven States’ help in meeting this need.”

With all the changes taking place in his LPC footprint, Jarrod wants his members to know that their comfort and security are at the forefront of every decision he makes.

“We often embrace technology to help us make the products we provide safer, more reliable, more dependable, and ultimately, more secure. Through our use of technology (like SCADA, AMI, and general automation of our grid’s control devices) and the establishment of clearer plans and pathways/access, those we serve today have more opportunities to connect to the modern world than ever before. Automation and monitoring equipment/services are allowing us to keep those we serve safe and secure as they enjoy the perks of our ever-evolving world.”

With the rapid advancement of innovation in our industry, Jarrod’s advice to future leaders who want to lead well is to lean into their team’s abilities.

“Spend some time looking around and listening to those you work with and serve before you decide upon a pathway forward. Sometimes those around you have already made investments and plans toward how they will innovate, and together we have the power and opportunities to enact monumental change.”

###

Tim Henderson: Valley Innovation Ambassador

Thu, 30 Nov 2023 16:54:00 GMT

Tim Henderson knows the value of technology and its wide-reaching impact on the Valley.

Leading Cleveland Utilities Authority as President and CEO, Tim is focused on bringing innovation to his community to improve his customers’ lives.

“We are about to enter the broadband business and are looking forward to the value it will add to our community. And as part of that full buildout, we are really going to strengthen the electric system, because side by side, we’re also going to implement distribution automation. We know that it’s going to make the electric system more reliable, and it will enable us to have quicker response times. That is extremely exciting for us because we know it’s going to make us stronger.”

While innovative technology is crucial to the Valley’s future, Tim shared that partnering with Seven States has brought his team great value.

“Working with a team like Seven States that has the expertise on all the different offerings and options that are available has been really vital for us. To be able to lean in on their knowledge and explore what’s working in the Valley and what our options are has saved us so much time, and it’s helped us figure out what would be most beneficial for us to pursue.”

When asked what advice he’d give to new managers, Tim shared that communicating with your customer base is an important first step.

“Communication is absolutely paramount. Getting that information out there to your customers, and not necessarily at a high technical level, but something that the average user can understand, is of vital importance. I think the better you can facilitate communicating directly to your customers—the real, honest, clear story of what you’re doing day-to-day, to help explain the technology and why it matters, and even your current challenges that you have encountered—the better off you are.”

###

U.S. DOE Providing Rebates for Transformers & Extended Product Systems

Mon, 20 Nov 2023 23:15:00 GMT

Great news for Tennessee Valley LPCs: The U.S. DOE Office of Manufacturing and Energy Supply Chains (MESC) is providing rebates for the replacement of qualified energy inefficient transformers with qualified energy efficient transformers and for expenditures made by qualified entities for the purchase or installation of a qualified extended product system.

The Energy Efficient Transformer Rebate Program aims to help qualified entities such as domestic manufacturers, utilities, hospitals, schools, and other operators replace qualified energy inefficient distribution transformers with qualified energy efficient transformers. Applicants are also eligible if they are replacing transformers that were destroyed in a natural disaster. MESC will accept applications for rebates until the program deadline of December 8 or until funds are expended, whichever comes first.

Rebates under the Extended Product System Rebate Program are for qualified entities that purchased and installed or newly incorporated an extended product system. Extended Product Systems (EPS) are industrial and large HVAC systems that are combinations of electric motors, electronic control, and driven load (e.g., pumps, fans, and compressors). MESC will accept applications for rebates until funds are expended.

Please contact DOERebates@icf.com or a member of the Seven States team with any questions or for more information.

###

Seven States, Partners Install Solar Charging Stations at National Corvette Museum

Mon, 20 Nov 2023 14:46:00 GMT

Seven States Power Corporation ended its 2023 Annual Meeting at the National Corvette Museum by celebrating a unique and sustainable new feature on the Corvette Campus: three new solar charging stations installed by Seven States that offer visitors a place to relax and recharge personal devices like cell phones.

The new solar charging stations allow visitors to charge their devices for free via power generated from solar panels on top of the canopy. Batteries in the structure store energy for charging devices even when the sun is not shining. The stations will generate approximately 250 kWh of renewable energy annually – enough to charge the mobile devices of tourists, especially those visiting the Museum while on the Bowling Green Trolley Tour.

National Corvette Museum President & CEO Sharon Brawner , TVA President & CEO Jeff Lyash , Warren RECC President & CEO Dewayne McDonald , and Seven States President & CEO Betsey Kirk McCall each delivered brief remarks at the dedication event to thank each other for partnering on this project and for collaboratively deploying innovative technology.

“The story of Corvette is the story of innovation and advancement, and one that we’re proud to preserve and celebrate at the National Corvette Museum,” explained Sharon Brawner, National Corvette Museum President and CEO. “The Museum’s new solar charging stations are a representation of our never-ending mission to improve and enhance our visitor experience. I thank Seven States Power Corporation for the partnership on this valuable new asset to our museum, which together with venue-wide Wi-Fi access, will help keep our guests connected during their visit to the Corvette Campus.”

“This project demonstrates how Seven States is working in partnership with local power companies, TVA, and private entities to build the power system of the future across the Valley,” said Betsey Kirk McCall, President & CEO of Seven States Power Corporation. “Our combined efforts on this project will inspire the next generation who come to this museum to admire the legacy of technological innovation embodied in every Corvette.”

“Warren RECC is pleased to partner with the Seven States Power Corporation and our member, the National Corvette Museum, to bring new technology to the Museum campus in a way that complements the innovative tradition of the Corvette,” said Dewayne McDonald, President and CEO of Warren RECC.

###

2023 Year in Review

Mon, 20 Nov 2023 14:46:00 GMT

Seven States is solving technology challenges incrementally with each LPC while solving them at scale for the Valley. To date, we have partnered with 88 LPCs on a wide variety of projects, including:

Seven States is deploying solutions that align with the goals of increased grid resiliency, economic development, and decarbonization shared by LPCs and TVA. On the heels of the most successful year in its history in terms of project completion and financial growth, the member-owners of Seven States unanimously re-elected 7 members of the Board of Directors :

Seven States’ Board of Directors, executive leadership, and staff are fully aligned on this organization’s role in the Valley: to build the grid of the future.

Seven States hosted its Annual Meeting in Bowling Green, KY, in November that offered attendees the opportunity to hear a keynote address from TVA President & CEO Jeff Lyash , a presentation about innovation by National Corvette Museum Board Chairman Kai Spande , and a panel discussion moderated by Erik Brinke of Blue Ridge Mountain Electric Membership Corporation with Seven States’ Valley Innovation Ambassadors Jennifer Brogdon of Upper Cumberland Electric Membership Corporation, Mary McDuffa of the City of Florence Electricity Department, Chuck Bowlin of Greenville Energy Authority, and Jeff Hurd of Hopkinsville Electric System.

President/CEO Betsey Kirk McCall delivered a President’s Report in which she said:

“Thinking creatively, measuring risk, and executing rapidly is the innovative way Seven States operates because we know the grid of the future will push the public power model in the Valley to move faster in the next 10 years than it has in the past 90 – and the Valley needs an innovative partner to support this transformation. In other words, the real fuel for the grid of the future is continuous innovation.”

###

CDE Lightband and National Corvette Museum Receive Awards at Seven States 2023 Annual Meeting

Mon, 20 Nov 2023 14:44:00 GMT

Innovation is essential if the Valley is to keep up with evolving consumer demand. Fortunately, our region is filled with leaders actively adopting new technology by partnering with Seven States Power Corporation.

At the recent Seven States Annual Meeting, the 2023 Spark Award was awarded to the General Manager of CDE Lightband, Brian Taylor, and the Innovation Award was presented to the National Corvette Museum.

CDE Lightband has proven itself to be an innovation leader of the Valley by installing four ChargePoint DC fast chargers, developing two utility-scale solar projects for a combined 6.75 MW of solar capacity, and participating in the Seven States Middle Mile Network (SSMMN) .

Brian is also a Seven States Valley Innovation Ambassador ( read his VIA interview here ). While Brian could not receive the award himself, Seven States was honored to have CDE Lightband Chief Human Resources Officer Privott Stroman at the Annual Meeting to receive the award on Brain’s behalf.

The 2023 Innovation Champion Award was presented to the National Corvette Museum and accepted by its President and CEO Sharon Brawner. In addition to serving as the gracious host to the 2023 Seven States Annual Meeting, the Museum worked with Seven States to install three solar charging stations on its campus . These stations will allow tens of thousands of visitors annually to recharge cell phones or other personal devices through solar power.

Seven States also recognized the Museum’s impactful work to showcase and celebrate the iconic Corvette. The National Corvette Museum was purposefully chosen as the location of the 2023 Annual Meeting because the Corvette is a tangible example of continuous innovation. Every Corvette in its day was considered best in class: it was the most beautiful and powerful American vehicle that embraced new technology.

The mindset of continuous innovation built the Corvette of today just as it will build the grid of tomorrow.

Congratulations to Brian Taylor and CDE Lightband, as well as Sharon Brawner and the National Corvette Museum, for earning these outstanding awards!

Jennifer Brogdon: Valley Innovation Ambassador

Wed, 18 Oct 2023 17:07:00 GMT

With 31 years of industry experience, Jennifer Brogdon’s transition to general manager of Upper Cumberland Electric Membership Corporation in 2021 was an opportunity to ensure her system was prepared for the future with new technology.

Jennifer knows her LPC is responsible for the present and future of her community’s needs, so she strategically plans UCEMC’s technological roadmap with a long-term vision.

Jennifer knows that Seven States is a helpful resource as her community’s needs continue to evolve and diversify.

With so much technological advancement in the Valley, Jennifer encourages fellow leaders to start with their own LPC teams to inspire actual community change.

###

Brian Taylor: Valley Innovation Ambassador

Wed, 18 Oct 2023 17:04:00 GMT

Brian Taylor knows how vital innovative partnerships and technology are in preparing the grid for the future.

Brian has led CDE Lightband as general manager since 2012 with a deep understanding of technological diversity and strategic partnerships. We asked him to share his experience deploying past projects with Seven States.

Brian always considers how his customers view CDE Lightband’s investments in innovation.

With 42 years of industry experience, Brian has learned that partnerships are fundamental to being an innovative leader. He offered this advice to general managers who might need support in bringing innovation to their community.

###

U.S. Department of Energy Opens Registration for Free Cybersecurity Training for Utilities

Wed, 11 Oct 2023 16:45:00 GMT

Our grid is under cyberattack and the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) is inviting your LPC to attend a free, 3-day training that has been used to train utilities to defend against cyber-attacks in areas of conflict. DOE has asked Seven States to share this unique opportunity with our member-owners to help harden the Valley’s grid.

Registration is open to technical practitioners from all electric utilities, including electric cooperatives, public power, investor-owned, and tribal utilities. Each of the six training events will cover the same material.

Registration is NOW OPEN for the Following Training Events. Register and learn more at: https://www.eventleaf.com/c/CybersecurityTrainingUtilityWorkforce

Registration Will OPEN SOON for the Following Training Events

Registration Note: Please use your utility’s email address when you register to attend. Your registration information will be reviewed, and you will receive a registration confirmation after approval. Each event has a hotel block that closes about 2-3 weeks before the training date. The registration site provides a link to the hotel block. Participation is free, but participants are responsible for travel, lodging, and meal costs.

To learn more and register to attend, visit https://www.eventleaf.com/c/CybersecurityTrainingUtilityWorkforce .

These trainings are supported by funding provided to the Office of Cybersecurity, Energy Security, and Emergency Response (CESER) under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) and organized by CESER’s Rural and Municipal Utility Cybersecurity (RMUC) Program. Participants do not need to be from a NERC-registered utility.

Seven States is also helping to harden the grid through its Grid Cyber Protection Service (GCPS) in partnership with Huntsville-based INTUITIVE . GCPS will strengthen the entire region’s electrical grid by supporting LPCs with a full-time cybersecurity staff, vulnerability and risk assessments, continuous monitoring and reporting, managed threat detection and correlation, digital forensics, malware/ ransomware protection, threat hunting, reconnaissance, and endpoint protection. LPCs are encouraged to contact BJ Bernard at bbernard@7spc.com with any questions regarding this service.

Here We Grow Again!

Wed, 11 Oct 2023 15:49:00 GMT

Seven States is growing its team to accommodate the increased demand for our services from our member-owner LPCs. One or more qualified professionals will fill the Technology Project Manager role, helping to coordinate and manage the deployment of electric vehicle chargers, solar generation and battery storage systems, backup generation, and other energy services in the Tennessee Valley.

This role would include assisting LPCs in evaluating project proposals and awards, communicating with stakeholders, and building strong relationships with contractors and vendors. They would ensure compliance with all applicable regulations and safety requirements, conduct regular site visits to monitor progress and quality of work, and ensure that all project deliverables meet or exceed quality standards and customer expectations.

This position would be remote, require travel approximately 25% of the time, and is intended for professionals already living in the TVA service territory and familiar with the regional power system. Applications will be received on a rolling basis until the position is filled.

Seven States has a positive history of hiring professionals from among our LPC member-owners because, as the innovation hub of the Valley, talent at this organization benefits our whole region.

Below are some of the qualifications, skills, and knowledge requirements an ideal candidate for this position would possess:

To view the position description in its entirety, learn more, or send in an application, visit https://www.linkedin.com/jobs/view/3714351743 or email careers@7spc.com .

Tim Culpepper: Valley Innovation Ambassador

Mon, 21 Aug 2023 16:33:00 GMT

With his previous years of leadership experience as the General Counsel and Vice President of Administrative Services, Tim Culpepper’s transition to CEO of Cullman Electric Cooperative in 2018 was an opportunity to ensure his system was prepared for the future. He offered the following thoughts regarding how his LPC has navigated the deployment of new technology:

Tim has big plans for Cullman’s future, and he shared how partnering with the Seven States team helps aid in deploying new technology efficiently.

Tim’s work with Seven States is just one part of his plan for innovative advancement in his LPC footprint, and his advice to general managers is to fully embrace new technologies and focus on the communication aspect of their deployment.

With so much technological advancement in the Valley, Tim wants his members to know that he views every new technology as a strategic step that will improve the lives of those in underserved areas.

###

Mary McDuffa: Valley Innovation Ambassador

Mon, 21 Aug 2023 16:33:00 GMT

Mary McDuffa knows that innovation and long-term planning are paramount in her industry.

Leading the City of Florence Electric Department as General Manager since 2019, Mary learned early that continuously implementing innovative technology is the key to the sustained success of her organization. We asked her to share what she was looking forward to as she prepares her LPC’s infrastructure for the future:

Above all, Mary wants her customers to know that the City of Florence’s mission is to serve the community.

With 28 years of industry experience, Mary knows that change can often be intimidating, so she offered this piece of advice to general managers considering technological steps forward:

###

Is your LPC prepared for a cyber threat?

Tue, 18 Jul 2023 17:13:00 GMT

Cybercriminals and cyberwarriors are targeting utilities. Gone are the days when cybersecurity was a nicety. Today, it’s a necessity. Entities ranging from the federal government and hospitals to ports and power companies have been, are currently, and will continue to be attacked in increasingly sophisticated manners.

Bad actors target power companies for a variety of reasons beyond controlling or disrupting power supply. Ransomware attacks are used to hold data or critical systems “hostage” until a ransom is paid, generating large payoffs for the attacker. Cybercriminals are also known to target sensitive customer data to sell to foreign entities or to request false payments from customers. Regardless of the reason for the attack, the compromised power company can be left with damages including severe fines and intrusive investigations.

Governments are finally waking up to the fact that our power companies are often on the front lines of cyberbattles. In addition to federal guidelines, many state governments require safeguards for power companies because they understand that greater security is needed. For instance, Tennessee law requires LPCs to submit their cyber security plan each year by July 1.

LPCs across the Valley do not need to face bad cyber actors alone, and they shouldn’t try. As the go-to innovative technology solutions provider for the Valley, Seven States is ready to help LPCs comply with government cybersecurity regulations and protect against cyber threats.

GCPS will make the entire Valley’s electrical grid stronger by supporting LPCs with a full-time cybersecurity staff, vulnerability and risk assessments, continuous monitoring and reporting, managed threat detection and correlation, digital forensics, malware/ ransomware protection, threat hunting, reconnaissance, and endpoint protection.

GCPS offers LPCs the best of both worlds: they get Seven States’ deep knowledge of the unique vulnerabilities and requirements of LPCs in addition to INTUITIVE’s expert cyber assessments, continuous monitoring, rapid response, and custom reporting services. By pairing Seven States with INTUITIVE, LPCs receive tailor-made cybersecurity options that fit the unique regional utility landscape.

Seven States is offering LPCs the opportunity to partner with a cybersecurity leader, INTUITIVE, to build a stronger defense against cybercriminals. Reach out to BJ Bernard today to begin a conversation about Seven States’ Grid Cyber Protection Service.

Seven States Holds Webinar on USDA Grants for Valley LPCs

Tue, 18 Jul 2023 17:11:00 GMT

There’s never been a better time for LPCs in the Tennessee Valley to pursue renewable energy solutions thanks to federal funding opportunities and flexibility options by TVA. With that in mind, Seven States recently held a webinar on the topic of USDA’s PACE and New ERA grant programs — two programs funded by the Inflation Reduction Act that represent the largest investment in rural electrification since President Franklin Delano Roosevelt signed the Rural Electrification Act into law in 1936.

Attendees, representing over 50 different LPCs, heard from Administrator Andy Berke and Senior Energy Counselor Clare Sierawski of USDA Rural Development, as well as Cindy Herron, VP of the Federal Funding Project Management Office of TVA. Our own Steve Noe led the discussion with the participants. A recording of the webinar is available here .

Administrator Berke discussed how Tennessee Valley LPCs are uniquely positioned for new federal funding opportunities. He provided background information and the purposes of the Powering Affordable Clean Energy (PACE) Program and Empowering Rural America (New ERA) Program . As a native Tennessean and the former mayor of Chattanooga, Administrator Berke said he was excited about the opportunity these new programs provide for Valley LPCs.

Clare Sierawski of USDA discussed the details of the grant opportunities, including which entities and projects would be best suited to each program. Clare described the ideal applicants and hypothetical projects for each program to give the audience an idea of which program they should pursue for their unique projects.

Under PACE, USDA Rural Development’s Rural Utilities Service will forgive up to 60% of loans for renewable energy projects that use wind, solar, hydropower, geothermal, or biomass, as well as for renewable energy storage projects. The New ERA program is designed to be flexible and prioritizes greenhouse gas reductions rather than requiring the use of specific technologies.

Cindy Herron shared TVA’s commitment to helping LPCs learn more and apply for USDA grants. Before handing it off to Seven States’ Steve Noe, she encouraged LPCs to reach out to her with any specific questions about these programs. Steve closed the webinar by thanking the participants for sharing their insight into these excellent new funding options.

The application window for PACE opened July 10 and New ERA opens on July 31, so be sure to reach out to Seven States if you are interested in pursuing either of these opportunities.

16 EV Chargers in 8 Weeks: LPCs Trust Seven States

Tue, 18 Jul 2023 17:03:00 GMT

What do Clarksville, Lawrenceburg, Bristol, Hohenwald, and Pontotoc, all have in common? They are all home to brand new EV fast chargers thanks to LPCs who trust Seven States to design, develop, and deploy innovative technology like charging infrastructure in their communities.

Tennessee’s Fast Charge Network is being built thanks to the collaboration of numerous public, private, and nonprofit entities all working together for the good of America’s current and future EV drivers. As the country – and especially the Tennessee Valley – continues to invest in the electrification of transportation, Seven States is perfectly positioned as the go-to partner for LPCs looking to make an impact in their community.

On May 17, Seven States and its partners, CDE Lightband, TVA, and the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation (TDEC), celebrated their work to install four EV fast charging stations in Clarksville. Seven States worked with CDE Lightband to secure the site, procure equipment, install, and commission the chargers. It also prepared a financial analysis that showed the value of adding an additional 2 chargers at the site, allowing it to be the first four-charger site in the TN Fast Charge Network.

Three weeks later, on June 7, Seven States, Lawrenceburg Utility System (LUS), TVA, and TDEC cut the ribbon on two fast chargers in Lawrenceburg. Like all EV charging locations, this one was strategic: it enables EV drivers to travel from Memphis to Monteagle on the Hwy 64 corridor. Until these partners completed this project, the distance between available chargers was nearly 300 miles — generally too far for an EV on a single charge.

One week later, on June 15, another ribbon was cut by Seven States and its partners: Bristol Tennessee Essential Services (BTES), the City of Bristol, Sullivan County, and TVA. The region now benefits from four new EV fast chargers located at the Pinnacle Shopping Center near an existing Tesla Supercharger site at the I-81 gateway to the state of Tennessee. Thanks to this project, drivers of all types of EVs now have a great place to stop and recharge.

On June 29, four more EV fast chargers were officially opened to the public in Hohenwald, TN, thanks to a partnership between Seven States, Meriwether Lewis Electric Cooperative (MLEC), TVA, and TDEC. At the ribbon cutting , MLEC President and CEO Keith Carnahan praised the partners for coming together to benefit not only the residents of MLEC’s service territory but visitors who are driving through.

Lastly, on July 19, a ribbon-cutting event officially opened the first two EV fast chargers in Pontotoc, Mississippi, as part of the Fast Charge Network. The event was rescheduled due to inclement weather in June. Pontotoc Electric Power Association (PEPA), Seven States, and TVA were proud to partner on this project.

It has been an exciting and busy two months, but Seven States is always ready for the challenge. The cooperative is proud to serve LPCs across the Valley by delivering innovative technologies like EV charging. Reach out to Lance Irwin or Joe Knox to learn more about how Seven States can support your LPC’s EV infrastructure projects.

Chuck Bowlin: Valley Innovation Ambassador

Mon, 05 Jun 2023 19:23:00 GMT

With 32 years of experience in the industry, Chuck Bowlin is no stranger to technological innovation. Since assuming the role of President and CEO of Greeneville Energy Authority in 2020, Chuck has put his experience with innovation to work for his customers.

With all the changes taking place in his LPC’s footprint, Chuck wants his customers to know that Greenville Electric Authority is looking out for their interests.

Chuck credits Seven States as being a valuable partner for Greeneville Energy Authority as the needs of his customer base continue to evolve.

With the rapid advancement of innovation in his LPC’s footprint, Chuck’s advice to future leaders is to lean into their team’s abilities.

###

Josh Compton: Valley Innovation Ambassador

Mon, 05 Jun 2023 19:17:00 GMT

Josh Compton knows the wide-reaching impact technology is having on the Valley.

Leading Appalachian Electric Cooperative (AEC) as general manager and executive VP, Josh is focused on keeping innovation at the forefront to improve the lives of his cooperative’s members.

While innovative technology is vital to the Valley’s future, Josh also knows that the most important thing is serving the community first.

When asked what advice he’d give to new managers, Josh shared that knowing your members and their needs is the most important step in leadership.

###

Driving Electric Just Got Easier in Bean Station, TN

Mon, 08 May 2023 16:53:00 GMT

Bean Station will soon connect to Fast Charge TN and regional Fast Charge Network

Bean Station, Tennessee – As automakers retool their factories to build electric vehicles (EVs), many more EVs will be on the roadways in the next decade. AEC is helping to ensure that Tennessee is ready with charging infrastructure.

On April 5, 2023, at 10:00 A.M., AEC announced that it has installed two fast chargers at Subway in Bean Station as part of Fast Charge TN, a partnership between the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) and the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation (TDEC), and Seven States Power Corporation. This Fast Charge TN installation is part of the regional Fast Charge Network that will cover major travel corridors across TVA’s seven-state service area and will complement the broader efforts of the National Electric Highway Coalition, which seeks to enable long-distance EV travel by placing fast chargers along interstates and major highways throughout the United States.

AEC announced that the fast charger location was fully operational on April 5, 2023.

AEC’s General Manager, Josh Compton, says, “AEC moved quickly to participate in Fast Charge TN, because we recognize some of our members will choose to purchase an EV at some point. We want to make it easy for those members to charge their EVs and at the same time, enjoy the environmental and economic benefits of electric transportation. The funding from TVA and TDEC makes it possible to add fast chargers in our community by providing 80% of the project cost.”

“At TVA we’ve moved far beyond connecting communities with power lines,” said Cindy Herron, Vice President of TVA EnergyRight. “Today, EVs use our clean, low-cost, reliable electricity to connect communities and commerce across our region. Taking a leadership role in EV charging infrastructure allows TVA to save drivers money and attract good jobs and tourism– all powered by electricity from TVA and your local power company.”

“Tennessee’s air is cleaner as measured by federal air quality standards than it has been in generations, and a clean environment helps drive economic development,” TDEC Deputy Commissioner Greg Young said. “TDEC is partnering with TVA and AEC on the development of this station to continue Tennessee’s environmental and economic momentum while further entrenching our state as the epicenter of the electric vehicle transition.”

“This charging location does more than charge cars — it connects Bean Station to the Fast Charge Network and plays an important role in putting our region on the leading edge of the new electric economy,” said Compton.

Middle Mile Fiber Optic Network

Thu, 27 Apr 2023 15:32:00 GMT

The Seven States Middle Mile Network (SSMMN) will be a private carrier-grade communications fiber optic network built, owned, and operated by Seven States Power Corporation (Seven States) and its membership comprised of Local Power Companies (LPC) across TN, KY, MS, AL, GA, NC, and VA. The network will connect the internet backbone to LPC last mile providers and will deliver both broadband and electric system benefits.

For LPCs offering broadband services, the SSMMN will deliver high-speed, reliable internet to each participating LPC at a wholesale rate that leverages the buying power of the entire Valley. Also, the SSMMN will facilitate last mile buildouts by delivering affordable broadband access to distressed counties throughout the Valley. LPCs offering broadband services will then be able to offer world-class internet solutions at affordable retail rates to currently unserved and underserved communities. Additionally, large entities such as government institutions, hospitals, universities/school systems, financial institutions, and other commercial entities will be able to utilize the network to connect facilities across the region.

Many LPCs have implemented technology to better monitor and control energy assets on the distribution system. As consumers install smart meters, solar panels, EV chargers and other devices that involve the two-way flow of both electricity and data, utilities are investing in their own communications infrastructure to provide the level of security and redundancy needed to operate the electric grid. Through the SSMMN, distributed energy resources (DERs) across the Valley can be connected for instantaneous communications, and aggregated to improve reliability, reduce outages, and manage growing load demand.

The LPCs and Seven States are well positioned to build, own, and operate the SSMMN. A network that interconnects utilities to deliver both electric system and broadband benefits will build a stronger future for the communities across the Valley.

For additional information about the Seven States Middle Mile Network, please contact Clint Wilson at CWilson@7SPC.com .

$700 Million Available for Community EV Charging

Thu, 27 Apr 2023 15:31:00 GMT

The U.S. Department of Transportation recently opened the first round of funding for the Charging and Fueling Infrastructure (CFI) Discretionary Grant Program . The program, established by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, will provide $2.5 billion over five years to fund electric vehicle (EV) charging and alternative-fueling infrastructure in communities across the country and along designated highways, interstates, and major roadways.

This first round of funding will offer up to $700 million over the next two years to strategically deploy EV charging and other alternative vehicle-fueling infrastructure projects in publicly accessible locations in urban and rural communities, as well as along designated Alternative Fuel Corridors (AFCs).

Applications are due by May 30, 2023 and the grant opportunity can be viewed here .

If you are interested in learning more or applying, contact Seven States team member Lance Irwin at lirwin@7spc.com

Driving the Valley Forward Faster

Thu, 27 Apr 2023 15:28:00 GMT

The overarching strategy of Seven States is to deliver value to our member-owners and their consumers as fast as possible with minimal cost. We deliver by being laser-focused on the most promising distribution technology to deploy at scale. Our member-owners operate at the distribution level and that is where consumers will continue to drive energy technology trends.

Seven States is solving technology challenges incrementally with each LPC and solving them at scale for the Valley, which helps us all progress forward faster. We deploy with speed for the purpose of learning from each installation and applying it to subsequent projects for the benefit of the LPCs and their consumers. The continuous feedback loop derived from multiple project deployments across the Valley is one of our value-adds. Additionally, we leverage infrastructure grant opportunities to maximize deployments and minimize costs. This approach has proven effective where multiple projects across the Valley were aggregated to apply for funding.

Seven States’ results are impactful – over 80 LPCs have utilized Seven States for EV charging, solar, storage, fiber, and load management services resulting in nearly 200 cumulative projects across the Valley. We have supported over 60 EV grant opportunities by applying directly or in partnership with LPCs for funds in excess of $ 17M . Since 2021, over $ 15M has been awarded to LPCs and/or Seven States for EV charger projects.

Our energy security journey will require all of us working together to build the energy system of the future while balancing affordability, reliability, resiliency, and sustainability. Seven States designs solutions and develops services that are accessible and scalable for all members to implement, and we deploy solutions that align with the LPCs’ and TVA’s shared goals for grid resiliency, economic development, and decarbonization.

Please take a minute to view our SPARK video which highlights LPC projects across the Valley. We celebrate the success of LPCs deploying technology and look forward to accelerating innovation. Thank you for placing your trust in the Seven States team – where every day, we wake up ready to deliver value as we move the Tennessee Valley forward together!

Jeff Hurd: Valley Innovation Ambassador

Mon, 27 Mar 2023 19:11:00 GMT

With 33 years of experience in the industry, Jeff Hurd’s transition to general manager of Hopkinsville Electric System in 2017 was an opportunity to ensure his system was prepared for the future.

Jeff knows his LPC is responsible for both the present and future of his community’s needs.

Jeff credits Seven States as being a trusted advisor for Hopkinsville Electric as the needs of his customer base continue to evolve.

With so much technological advancement in the Valley, Jeff encourages fellow leaders to collaborate with their peers.

###

Dewayne McDonald: Valley Innovation Ambassador

Mon, 27 Mar 2023 19:09:00 GMT

Dewayne McDonald knows how innovative partnerships and technology can prepare us for the future.

Since 2019, Dewayne has led Warren Rural Electric Cooperative Corporation as president and CEO with an emphasis on technological diversity and strategic partnerships. We asked him to share his experience with deploying past projects with Seven States:

To Dewayne, the most important thing he wants his members to know is that every decision is made with their needs in mind.

A growing community requires innovative thinking, and Dewayne knows that he needs to stay ahead of the curve.

With 32 years of industry experience, Dewayne knows that the members are the heartbeat of his co-op. He offered advice to general managers who might be wondering where to start when it comes to bringing innovation to their LPC.

###

Dr. Angela Verdell: Valley Innovation Ambassador

Mon, 27 Feb 2023 21:19:00 GMT

One of the first actions Dr. Angela Verdell took when she became the general manager of Columbus Light & Water in 2021 was to improve internal technology to better serve her customers.

Soon, the technological improvements at Columbus Light & Water could be seen outside of the organization as well.

Angela noted that Seven States has been a valuable resource for her LPC during these technology transitions.

Like any good leader, Angela is always planning ahead. She envisions big changes for her LPC footprint in the years to come.

###

Keith Hayward: Valley Innovation Ambassador

Mon, 27 Feb 2023 21:15:00 GMT

Keith Hayward has seen more than his fair share of technology development in the Valley.

Serving as General Manager and CEO of North East Mississippi Electric Power Association since 2013, Keith has worked tirelessly to keep his LPC at the forefront of innovation. We asked him to share his experience with innovative technology deployments as it relates to his LPC footprint:

To Keith, innovative change isn’t a nicety — it’s a necessity.

In addition to keeping the lights on, Keith sees tremendous value in his co-op’s ability to offer fiber to his members.

As his system continues to expand rapidly, Keith is also looking ahead to the future. He offered advice to general managers who might be just starting out in this quickly evolving industry.

###

Battery Storage Is Charging Up

Mon, 23 Jan 2023 19:28:00 GMT

The Tennessee Valley has an opportunity to lead the nation in battery storage technology . As its members, the Local Power Companies (LPCs), explore battery storage options, Seven States is the go-to partner to streamline the process, aggregate projects for grant funding, and facilitate a successful deployment. Seven States has broad experience building partnerships to deploy a variety of different storage technologies, including at the US Space and Rocket Center , the University of Memphis , and Nissan’s manufacturing plant in Smyrna, TN .

Through their work with battery storage, LPCs continue to explore how this technology can enhance the reliability, resiliency, affordability, and sustainability of their operations. For example, battery storage units can be dispatched effectively during valley-fill generation periods and provide high confidence generation for day-ahead programs that complement demand response programs. Reducing the monthly on-peak and all-peak demand can save an LPC more than $10 for each kW reduced. Understanding typical monthly load curves and strategically deploying battery storage units are key to optimizing this untapped opportunity.

Additionally, battery storage allows for end-of-line voltage support and serves as a core generation source for a microgrid. In other parts of the US, battery storage is used to provide ancillary transmission support services.

True to its purpose as a hub for innovation and information sharing, Seven States released two RFIs in 2022 to study the battery storage market. The results revealed two primary approaches to pricing for LPCs: leasing or owning. While leasing costs over the life of the project are expected to be higher than if the LPC purchases the system directly, it allows the LPC to minimize risk. Direct ownership may yield lower costs; however, the LPC assumes operational risk.

In 2022, the battery storage market experienced unprecedented demand as well as unprecedented supply issues with core materials associated with lithium batteries. Battery prices increased by 7% in 2022, according to a recent Bloomberg report. Several utility battery manufacturers are switching to lithium iron phosphate (LFP) batteries because core materials are available and less expensive. As this transition continues and new battery manufacturing plants open in the US, prices are expected to levelize.

The Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 (IRA) provided new tax incentives for battery storage both by expanding the number of entities who are eligible and by raising the maximum potential savings percentages.

State and local governments (and political subdivisions thereof) are now eligible to receive the investment tax credit (ITC). Standalone battery storage projects are now eligible for ITCs (previously, battery storage was not eligible for the ITC unless it was tied to a solar array). The legislation also raised the maximum ITC rate from 26% to 30% — with some projects now even eligible to receive up to 50% in credit if the project meets additional requirements.

Federal tax incentives and market forces are combining to make battery storage solutions a better bet for LPCs in the Valley. If you want to learn more about battery storage for your LPC, give Seven States a call.

###

A New Day for LPC Cybersecurity

Mon, 23 Jan 2023 19:25:00 GMT

The electric infrastructure in the Tennessee Valley keeps the lights on for millions of homes and businesses. Protecting these assets from cyber threats is critically important. While government entities are increasingly getting involved in the domestic cybersecurity arena, LPCs can now find solutions closer to home.

True to its purpose as an innovation hub and technology solutions provider for LPCs, Seven States is offering LPCs a tailored solution to this pressing challenge.

Through its partnership with INTUITIVE, a technology management and development firm based in Huntsville, AL, Seven States is providing LPCs with a dedicated security operation center (SOC) that monitors and responds to cyber threats in real-time by expert cybersecurity professionals. The LPC SOC allows cyber professionals to be singularly focused on the security of LPCs without being distracted by the cybersecurity vulnerability of other industries like finance or manufacturing.

The Seven States/INTUITIVE solution, known as the Grid Cyber Protection Service (GCPS), is much more than a corporate network security program. The GCPS was designed with the unique needs of the utilities in mind so that they can actively monitor specific endpoints, like SCADA, as well as their corporate network.

This new service is an example of Seven States doing what it does best: partnering to move the whole Valley forward through innovative technology.

Reach out to BJ Bernard to see if the solution that Seven States has designed, developed, and deployed is right for your unique situation.

###

Seven States ‘Celebrates Innovation’ at 2022 Annual Meeting in Memphis, TN

Mon, 21 Nov 2022 18:06:00 GMT

Seven States Power Corporation held its 2022 Annual Meeting November 2-3 at the FedEx Institute of Technology on the University of Memphis campus in Memphis, Tennessee.

The two-day event kicked off with a board meeting on the afternoon of Wednesday, November 2. Leaders of LPCs across the Tennessee Valley participated in a business meeting the following morning, which was followed by guest speakers and an expert panel discussion. A dedication ceremony for two new solar workstations concluded the gathering.

“Our theme for this year’s Annual Meeting, ‘Celebrate Innovation,’ represents the progress our member-owner LPCs and Seven States have made together as we move the Valley forward through technology,” said Betsey Kirk McCall, President and CEO of Seven States Power Corporation. “We appreciate our member-owners joining us for this year’s annual meeting in Memphis – it was exciting to see one another.”

The following members of the Board of Directors were reelected unanimously during the business meeting component of the Annual Meeting:

The Seven States team has doubled in size from four to eight professionals since the previous Annual Meeting at Rock City in Chattanooga, TN. The additional bandwidth and depth of experience have allowed the organization to work on 190 individual projects for 84 different LPCs across the Valley. Seven States has also supported over 60 EV and fiber grant opportunities by applying directly or on behalf of LPCs for funds in excess of $117 million.

“I look forward to the Seven States Annual Meeting each year because it allows member-owners to see how our unique organization is succeeding in areas ranging from EV chargers to cybersecurity and everything in between,” said Jeff Dykes, CEO of BrightRidge and Chairman of the Seven States Power Corporation Board of Directors. “I enjoyed the opportunity to see so many familiar faces and discuss the ways the Board can continue to support the mission of Seven States.”

Following the conclusion of the business meeting, attendees heard from featured guest speakers, including Jeff Lyash, President and CEO of the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA), and George Andraos, Director of Sustainable Energy and Innovation at Ford Motor Company.

Lyash discussed the important role Seven States plays in the region and answered several questions from the audience on a range of topics such as grid resiliency and decarbonization strategies.

“Seven States has made such huge progress in a short period of time,” said Lyash. “I view Seven States as one of the key innovation players here in the Valley. With the right focus, it could be a key player nationally. It’s a great model.”

Andraos discussed what Ford is doing to bring quality jobs and technological innovation to the Valley through BlueOval City.

“We’re investing $5.6 billion here. BlueOval City isn’t just a project for Ford – it’s the future of Ford,” said Andraos. “I have never seen a site that has come together like the site here in western Tennessee.”

The Innovation Champion Award was presented to Dr. Jasbir Dhaliwal on behalf of the University of Memphis FedEx Institute of Technology. The SPARK Award was awarded to Andrea Harrington on behalf of Weakley County Municipal Electric System. And finally, Philip Lim of Middle TN Electric won a green electric guitar giveaway prize.

The annual meeting concluded with the announcement that drew great fanfare from the attendees: the 2023 Seven States Annual Meeting will be held Nov. 1-2 at the Corvette Museum in Bowling Green, KY!

After lunch, leaders from MLGW, the FedEx Institute, TVA, and Seven States dedicated two new solar workstations on the University of Memphis campus. These innovative additions will give students, faculty, staff, and visitors a place to sit and charge electronic devices for years to come using the power of the sun.

Read more about the workstations dedication event here . To view photos from the 2022 Annual Meeting, click here .

###

Photo Gallery: 2022 Seven States Annual Meeting at FedEx Institute of Technology at the University of Memphis

Mon, 21 Nov 2022 18:00:00 GMT

Seven States Power Corporation held its 2022 annual meeting November 2-3 at the FedEx Institute of Technology at the University of Memphis in Memphis, TN. The two-day event kicked off with a board meeting on the afternoon of Wednesday, November 2. The second day began with the business meeting, progressed with guest speakers and a panel discussion, and concluded with a dedication event for two new solar workstations.

This year’s theme, “Celebrate Innovation,” highlighted the impact Seven States is having across the Tennessee Valley by providing expert insight and technical experience for LPCs. Featured guest speakers on Thursday included Jeff Lyash, President and CEO of the Tennessee Valley Authority, and George Andraos, Director of Sustainable Energy and Innovation at Ford. A panel discussion between LPC leaders and Seven States staff highlighted the organization’s work across the Valley.

Seven States, member-owner MLGW, and MLGW-customer FedEx Institute of Technology ended the event by celebrating the installation of two solar workstations on the University of Memphis campus that will charge electronic devices for students, faculty, staff, and the community.

Below you will find photos from the 2022 Seven States Annual Meeting. All photos were taken by Rich Smith and belong to Seven States Power Corporation.

Seven States Launches Valley Innovation Ambassadors Initiative

Mon, 21 Nov 2022 17:59:00 GMT

Seven States President & CEO Betsey Kirk McCall announced at the 2022 Annual Meeting that the cooperative has launched the Valley Innovation Ambassadors (VIA) initiative as part of its guiding principle to serve as an innovation hub for LPCs.

The purpose of this initiative is twofold: to highlight our ambassadors’ innovative accomplishments in the Valley, and to share lessons learned/best practices about technology products and services provided by Seven States.

This group of ambassadors are leading their respective communities through technology. Each ambassador has completed a project or has an active project with Seven States, and their insights about technology will help us enhance solution offerings that we can scale and replicate more efficiently across the valley.

This month, a survey will be sent to all LPCs with technology projects completed in partnership with Seven States. This post-deployment insight from the member-owners of Seven States will be valuable to the cooperative’s operations.

The following LPC leaders will serve as the inaugural Valley Innovation Ambassadors:

KPPA

ADPDA

CDMA

WDMA

NMPPA

NAPPA

SDPDA

For any questions related to the VIA initiative, please contact Director of Business Support Services, Jessica Bradshaw at jcleveland@7spc.com.

###

Seven States, MLGW, FedEx Institute of Technology Install Solar Workstations At the University of Memphis

Mon, 21 Nov 2022 17:58:00 GMT

Following the 2022 Annual Meeting, Seven States and LPCs across the Tennessee Valley gathered to celebrate a unique and sustainable new feature on the University of Memphis campus: two new solar-powered workstations made possible by member-owner MLGW, Seven States Power Corporation, and the FedEx Institute of Technology.

The new solar-powered workstations allow students, faculty, and staff to charge their mobile devices for free via power generated from solar panels on top of the umbrellas. Batteries in the workstation store energy for charging devices even when the sun is not shining — eliminating any need for the structures to be connected to the power grid.

A dedication ceremony for the solar workstations was held on Thursday, Nov. 3, at the end of the 2022 Seven States Power Corporation Annual Meeting, which attracted leaders from power companies that serve communities across the Tennessee Valley.

“Innovative partnerships like these are a great example of how universities can collaborate with industries to bring positive impact not only to students, but also to the environment,” stated Dr. Jasbir Dhaliwal, University of Memphis Executive Vice President for Research & Innovation and FedEx Institute of Technology Executive Director. “Solar technology can impact our overcoming climate change, and we thank MLGW and Seven States for their partnership.”

“Seven States is proud of this project because it demonstrates how strong partnerships can drive innovation across the Tennessee Valley,” said Betsey Kirk McCall, President & CEO of Seven States Power Corporation. “It is thrilling to see how our efforts together can inspire the innovators who learn and work at the FedEx Institute of Technology and the University of Memphis.”

“MLGW is pleased to partner with the Seven States Power Corporation and The University of Memphis to bring leading edge technology to the U of M campus with these new solar workstations,” said Dana Jeanes, MLGW Senior Vice President, CFO and CAO, and Seven States Board member. “The workstations use sustainable power utilizing solar energy to charge cell phones, and I’m sure U of M students will be quite happy to put the workstations to good use as the University is vested in future technology, as is MLGW. As a member of the Seven States board and MLGW leadership, we look forward to future partnerships involving the U of M, MLGW and Seven States.”

###

Strategic Partnerships Enhance Offerings

Mon, 21 Nov 2022 17:56:00 GMT

One of the major assets Seven States brings to its LPC member-owners is the valuable relationships it can leverage to get projects completed quickly and easily. In fact, it has never been easier for LPCs to tap into this growing network of relationships for the good of their customers.

Recently, Seven States has added two new industry leaders to its growing list of official partners: LightWave Solar and INTUITIVE.

Seven States has partnered with LightWave Solar to design, develop, and deploy solar solutions for LPCs with standardized pricing.

Although the company primarily operates within the Tennessee Valley, LightWave Solar is a nationally ranked industry leader. Since its inception in 2006, LightWave Solar has completed over 1,200 residential and commercial solar projects.

“The partnership between Seven States and LightWave will provide local power companies with a high level of solar expertise, and LightWave looks forward to helping LPCs meet their solar project goals,” said Chris Koczaja, President & CEO of LightWave.

Seven States and LightWave Solar have a history of successful partnerships, including the custom-designed solar parking canopy at the U.S. Space and Rocket Center in Huntsville, AL, which was launched at the 2020 Seven States Annual Meeting, and the unique solar arbor at Rock City Gardens on Lookout Mountain, GA, unveiled at the 2021 Seven States Annual Meeting.

For more information about Seven States’ partnership with LightWave Solar, please contact Steve Noe, VP of Energy Resilience and Sustainability, at snoe@7spc.com .

GCPS will make the entire region’s electrical grid stronger by supporting LPCs with a full-time cybersecurity staff, vulnerability and risk assessments, continuous monitoring and reporting, managed threat detection and correlation, digital forensics, malware/ ransomware protection, threat hunting, reconnaissance, and endpoint protection. For more information about the GCPS, reach out to Seven States’ BJ Bernard, Director of Technology Alignment, at bbernard@7spc.com .

INTUITIVE Senior Advisor Chuck Speaks added, “This partnership with Seven States will allow INTUITIVE cybersecurity subject matter experts to provide a one-of-a-kind service that addresses LPCs’ unique cyber challenges while overcoming common staffing and budgetary pressures.

###

Seven States Awarded Grant, Secures Funding for EV Charging Stations Across the I-75, I-81 Corridors

Thu, 20 Oct 2022 17:53:00 GMT

CHATTANOOGA, TN – October 20, 2022 – Seven States Power Corporation , a nonprofit cooperative owned by local power companies (LPCs) throughout the Tennessee Valley, has been awarded a $500,000 grant by the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) for the Enhanced DC Fast Charger Installation Project.

The funding will allow three new charging stations – each with 2 or 4 chargers – to be built in strategic locations along the I-75 and I-81 corridors, filling current gaps in EV charging infrastructure.

These chargers will help reduce EV range anxiety across the region by making fast chargers available at regular intervals along major travel routes. In turn, this project will speed the Tennessee Valley’s EV adoption rates in a way that helps local power companies, builds local infrastructure, and encourages EV drivers to visit more local communities.

“Seven States works with our member-owner LPCs and a wide variety of strategic partners to design, develop, and deploy new technology to move the Tennessee Valley forward,” said Betsey Kirk McCall, President & CEO of Seven States . “This significant grant allows Seven States to deliver additional support to our member-owners who are bringing exciting new technologies such as electric vehicles to their communities.”

The Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) is an economic development agency of the federal government and 13 state governments focusing on 423 counties across the Appalachian region.

Seven States will coordinate with the Athens Utilities Board, Greeneville Light and Power System, and Morristown Utilities to procure, install, manage, and maintain the charging stations, which will operate in Athens (McMinn County), Greeneville (Greene County), and Morristown (Hamblen County).

ABOUT SEVEN STATES POWER CORPORATION

Seven States Power Corporation (Seven States) is an energy and technology solutions provider for local power companies in the Tennessee Valley. As a non-profit membership cooperative, it is 100% owned and operated by the 153 power utilities across the seven states region in the Tennessee Valley Authority’s service area. Seven States leverages innovative technology to design, develop, and deploy sustainable solutions in the areas of electrification, renewables, and connectivity. It strategically deploys solutions that support grid resiliency, economic development, and carbon reduction efforts.

###

INTUITIVE and Seven States Power Corporation to offer local power companies enhanced cybersecurity protection at lower rates

Thu, 29 Sep 2022 12:00:00 GMT

Intuitive Research and Technology Corporation ( INTUITIVE ^® ) and Seven States Power Corporation are launching a partnership to deliver an innovative, managed cybersecurity service for local power companies (“LPCs”) across the Tennessee Valley. The new joint service, called the Grid Cyber Protection Service (GCPS), will protect critical infrastructure while overcoming the staffing and budgetary challenges of going alone.

Seven States Power Corporation is an energy solutions cooperative that is owned and operated by the 153 LPCs across seven states of the Tennessee Valley. Seven States serves a unique role by helping LPCs design, develop, and deploy the latest technology solutions including cybersecurity, electric vehicle charging, and renewable energy installations. The Grid Cyber Protection Service will be offered to Seven States’ network of regional LPCs.

LPCs across the Valley will benefit from INTUITIVE ’s expert assessments, continuous monitoring, rapid response, and custom reporting services while Seven States will provide an essential understanding of the unique regional utility landscape through its unmatched relationships with stakeholders.

“ INTUITIVE ’s innovative and intelligence-driven model for cybersecurity keeps critical infrastructure organizations like us both compliant and resilient in the face of determined cyber adversaries,” said David Champigny, CIO of Huntsville Utilities . “Their unique financial and delivery model will likely become a standard for critical infrastructure cyber services.”

The following professional services can also be obtained separately on an ad-hoc basis: penetration testing, physical security assessments, IT and security architectural services, compliant cloud migration or evaluation, and phishing campaigns.

INTUITIVE Senior Advisor Chuck Speaks added, “Critical infrastructure, including local power companies, are major targets of sophisticated threat actors. This partnership with Seven States will allow INTUITIVE cybersecurity subject matter experts to provide a one-of-a-kind service that addresses LPCs’ unique cyber challenges while overcoming common staffing and budgetary pressures. We are truly excited to partner on such an important mission that directly impacts the lives of everyone in the Tennessee Valley region.”

“Seven States exists to support our member-owner LPCs and act as an extension of their own resources, including cybersecurity,” said Betsey Kirk McCall, President and CEO of Seven States Power Corporation . “We are proud to launch the Grid Cyber Protection Service because we know our LPCs will greatly benefit from INTUITIVE ’s expertise in this essential area.”

ABOUT INTUITIVE RESEARCH AND TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION:
INTUITIVE ^® is an aerospace engineering and analysis firm headquartered in Huntsville, Alabama that provides production support, software and systems engineering, programmatic support, product development, rapid prototyping, and technology management to the Department of Defense, other State and Federal Government agencies, and commercial companies. Our approach couples the latest technology with engineering expertise, analytical proficiency, and keen managerial oversight. From design through production to sustainment, we proudly provide management and technical solutions throughout all phases of the system’s life cycle.

ABOUT SEVEN STATES POWER CORPORATION

Seven States Power Corporation is an energy and technology solutions provider for local power companies in the Tennessee Valley. As a non-profit membership cooperative, it is 100% owned and operated by the 153 power utilities across the seven states region in the Tennessee Valley Authority’s service area. Seven States leverages innovative technology to design, develop, and deploy sustainable solutions in the areas of electrification, renewables, and connectivity. It strategically deploys solutions that supports grid resiliency, economic development, and decarbonization across the Tennessee Valley.

###

Valley Sees Impact of Seven States’ LPC Technology Projects

Thu, 22 Sep 2022 14:46:00 GMT

As technology continues to revolutionize our world, Seven States is designing, developing, and deploying next-generation energy solutions for its 153 member-owner local power companies (“LPCs”) across the seven states in the Tennessee Valley.

So far, the member-owned nonprofit has partnered with its member-owners to install over 135 electric vehicle (“EV”) charging ports – and the positive results are being realized.

Based on aggregated data collected from 69 charging ports across the Tennessee Valley in under 4 years, there have been over 8,800 charging sessions resulting in over 130,000kWh of increased energy demand and reducing carbon emissions by 180,000 pounds. Such a carbon offset is equivalent to planting and growing for ten years over 1,350 new trees.

The impact of these active chargers provides valuable learning about the technology and enhances the design of subsequent solutions deployed through Seven States.

By installing custom solar arrays at the U.S. Space & Rocket Center in Huntsville, AL, and Rock City in Chattanooga, TN, Seven States and its partners have generated 83.88 MWh of clean power.

While Seven States accelerates the deployment of EV chargers and renewable generation for LPCs, it continues to design and develop the next level of advanced technology through its research platform. In June, Seven States announced a new partnership with Nissan, Middle Tennessee Electric, and the University of Tennessee-Oak Ridge Innovation Institute to construct and test two Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) at Nissan’s headquarters in Franklin, TN, which will provide supplemental power supply and peak demand shaving for Nissan’s facilities and support Middle Tennessee Electric’s utility grid.

“We are seeing real results and the positive impact of new technologies deployed in partnership with our LPC member-owners.” said Betsey Kirk McCall, President and CEO of Seven States Power Corporation. “Operating as an extension of LPCs, our member-owners working through Seven States have the ability to increase the rate of adoption across the Tennessee Valley and realize the economic and environmental benefits even faster.

By serving as the LPC’s go-to source for infrastructure planning, consultation, procurement, and project management, Seven States is making our region cleaner, greener, and more technologically advanced every day.

Seven States and Partners Install 2 New EV Fast Chargers in Cullman, Alabama

Fri, 09 Sep 2022 19:02:00 GMT

On Wednesday, Sept. 7, 2022, Seven States Power Corporation, Cullman Electric Cooperative, Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA), and Drive Electric Alabama unveiled two new DC fast chargers in Cullman, Alabama, to help reduce a barrier to widespread electric vehicle (“EV”) adoption: range anxiety.

The new chargers are strategically located along Alabama Highway 157 and are part of a statewide initiative coordinated by the Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs (ADECA).

The chargers are part of the regional Fast Charge Network, which will cover major travel corridors across TVA’s seven-state service area, as well as the National Electric Highway Coalition, a collective effort by power companies to enable long-distance EV travel via interstates and major highways throughout the United States.

The new Fast Charge Network location in Cullman is currently operational and accessible to locals and travelers alike.

Driving Electric in Tennessee Just Got Easier

Tue, 30 Aug 2022 18:13:00 GMT

Martin is the first city in Tennessee to connect to Fast Charge TN and TVA’s regional Fast Charge Network

MARTIN, Tenn. – As automakers retool their factories to build electric vehicles (EV), many more EVs will be on the road in the next two decades. To make sure Tennessee is ready, Weakley County Municipal Electric System (WCMES) and the City of Martin are removing one of the biggest barriers to EV adoption in the U.S. – charging infrastructure.

WCMES announced on Tuesday that it is the first local power company in Tennessee to install a fast charger location (109 University Street, Martin, TN) as part of Fast Charge TN, a partnership between the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) and the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation (TDEC), and Seven States Power Corporation. This Fast Charge TN installation is part of the regional Fast Charge Network that will cover major travel corridors across TVA’s seven-state service area and will complement the broader efforts of the National Electric Highway Coalition, which seeks to enable long-distance EV travel by placing fast chargers along interstates and major highways throughout the United States.

“We moved quickly to participate in Fast Charge TN because we want to make it easy for people to choose EVs so our community can enjoy the economic and environmental benefits of electric transportation,” said Andrea Harrington, General Manager of WCMES. “The funding from TVA makes it possible to add fast chargers in our community by providing 80% of the project cost.”

“Seven States is trusted by local power companies across the Tennessee Valley to deliver EV charging technology for their consumers,” said Betsey Kirk McCall, President and CEO of Seven States Power Corporation . “Impactful partnerships like this benefit the local community, regional economy and global environment for years to come.”

Learn more about Fast Charge TN here: www.tn.gov/EVFastCharge.

Two New Team Members join Seven States

Mon, 25 Jul 2022 14:06:00 GMT

In the last thirty days, Seven States Power Corporation has grown its ability to engage and serve LPCs in the Tennessee Valley by adding two new staff members.

Jessica Cleveland and BJ Bernard have joined Seven States as Director of Business Support Services and Director of Technology Alignment, respectively. Seven States announced the two new full-time positions earlier this year.

In just over a year, Seven States has doubled in staff size and has become a trusted technology provider and innovation partner for its member-owners: the 153 local power companies in the Tennessee Valley.

“Our growing team is focused on delivering excellence to member-owners as we design, develop, and deploy technology solutions across the Tennessee Valley,” said Betsey Kirk McCall, President and CEO of Seven States Power Corporation. “We are excited to welcome Jessica and BJ to the team.”

Jessica Cleveland joins Seven States from Springfield Electric of Springfield, TN, where she most recently served as an energy services advisor. After nearly a decade as a high school English instructor in White House, TN, Cleveland served as a copy editor for an advertising agency where she acquired valuable skills in executing high-quality ad campaigns for clients. She later joined Springfield Electric to provide support in several key areas, including customer service, external communications, research, and event planning.

Cleveland holds a bachelor’s degree from Western Kentucky University and a master’s degree from the University of Houston-Victoria.

“I have respected the talent of the Seven States team from a local power company perspective, so to have the chance to add my voice to the team is very exciting,” said Jessica Cleveland, Director of Business Support. “I am thrilled to be a part of this team as it continues to expand and evolve for the good of the Tennessee Valley.”

Seven States also welcomed BJ Bernard, an information technology specialist with nearly 25 years of industry experience. Bernard will serve as Director of Technology Alignment and provide technical and project management support for the organization’s expanding portfolio of products and services.

Bernard joins Seven States from Duck River Electric Membership Corporation (“DREMC”), an electric cooperative based in Shelbyville, TN, where he most recently served as Director of Broadband Development.

Bernard is a graduate of Nashville State Community College with a professional certification in cybersecurity.

“I am excited to join the professionals at Seven States who serve the Tennessee Valley with an eye toward the future, said BJ Bernard, Director of Technology Alignment . “It’s an honor to be a part of this impactful organization.”

Two Industry Leaders Join Seven States Board of Directors

Mon, 25 Jul 2022 01:55:00 GMT

Seven States Power Corporation is pleased to announce the addition of two new board members who are each distinguished leaders within the industry.

Through unanimous votes by the Board, Teresa Broyles-Aplin, President & CEO of Nashville Electric Service, and David Wade, President & CEO of EPB of Chattanooga, joined the Seven States Power Corporation Board of Directors to fill two vacancies.

The Seven States Board of Directors have led the organization to become a trusted energy and technology solutions provider for its member-owners: the 153 local power companies in the Tennessee Valley.

“Our Board reflects the various LPCs we serve and their desire to empower one another through the adoption of innovative technology across the Tennessee Valley,” said Betsey Kirk McCall, President and CEO of Seven States Power Corporation.

Teresa Broyles-Aplin is President & CEO of Nashville Electric Service (“NES”) and is the first female President and CEO of a major utility provider in America. She previously served as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer at NES, a role that she has occupied for nearly 16 years where she oversaw an annual operating budget of more than $1.2 billion and a capital budget of $170 million annually.

David Wade serves as President & CEO of EPB, an organization he has been with since 1983 when he was first employed as a line helper. Wade’s leadership abilities helped him grow within EPB, serving as Senior Manager, Vice President, and then as President and CEO in 2016. Wade was instrumental in launching EPB Fiber Optics, a strategic success that transformed Chattanooga into “Gig City” by becoming the first city in the Western Hemisphere to offer 1 gigabit-per-second fiber internet service to all residents and businesses.

Industry Expert Joins Growing Team at Seven States Power Corporation

Fri, 22 Jul 2022 01:00:00 GMT

CHATTANOOGA, Tennessee – July 22, 2022 – Seven States Power Corporation will welcome BJ Bernard, an information technology specialist with nearly 25 years of industry experience, to its growing team on Monday, July 25, 2022. Bernard will serve as Director of Technology Alignment, a new role announced earlier this year to provide additional technical and project management support for the organization’s expanding portfolio of products and services.

This is the third new hire for Seven States in 2022. In just over a year, Seven States has doubled in staff size and has become a trusted energy and technology solutions provider for the 153 member-owner local power companies (“LPCs”) in the Tennessee Valley.

“LPCs across the Tennessee Valley consistently partner with Seven States to help them design, develop, and deploy new technologies because of our experts like BJ who serve as an extension of our member-owners’ resources,” said Betsey Kirk McCall, President and CEO of Seven States Power Corporation. “I am thrilled about the strong team we are building which will benefit our member-owner LPCs, and the customers they serve.”

Bernard began his career at Northeast Louisiana Power Cooperative as an electrical engineering technician. He later became manager of information technology at Dickson Electric System where he was accountable for the utility’s IT system, cyber and physical security, and fiber optic network. He joined DREMC in 2018 as manager of information technology and was promoted to director of Broadband Development in May 2021.

Bernard is a graduate of Nashville State Community College with a professional certification in cybersecurity.

###

Seven States Power Corporation Continues Expansion by Adding New Staff Member

Wed, 06 Jul 2022 15:59:00 GMT

CHATTANOOGA, Tennessee – July 6, 2022 – Seven States Power Corporation welcomes its newest team member, Jessica Cleveland, who joins as Director of Business Support Services, one of two new full-time positions announced earlier this year to provide support for the organization’s expanding engagement efforts with members and partners.

Cleveland joins Seven States from Springfield Electric of Springfield, TN, where she most recently served as an energy services advisor.

In just over a year since its founding, Seven States has doubled in staff size and has become a trusted energy and technology solutions provider for its member-owners: the 153 local power companies in the Tennessee Valley.

“Our growing team is excited to welcome Jessica not only because she is a talented professional, but also because of the additional value she will bring to our member-owners,” said Betsey Kirk McCall, President and CEO of Seven States Power Corporation. “Her experience in coordinating partnerships and managing complex projects will complement Seven States’ mission to design, develop, and deploy technology solutions across our region.”

After nearly a decade as a high school English instructor in White House, TN, Cleveland served as a copy editor for an advertising agency where she acquired valuable skills executing high-quality ad campaigns for clients. She later joined Springfield Electric to provide support in several key areas, including customer service, external communications, research, and event planning.

Cleveland holds a bachelor’s degree from Western Kentucky University and a master’s degree from the University of Houston-Victoria.

###

Tennessee Partners Launch ‘Second-Life’ Battery Storage Project as Electric Vehicle Adoption Grows

Mon, 20 Jun 2022 17:56:00 GMT

Nissan, Middle Tennessee Electric, UT-Oak Ridge Innovation Institute, Tennessee State University and Seven States Power Corp. Announce Innovative Battery Storage Project

FRANKLIN, Tennessee – June 16, 2022 – Nissan, Middle Tennessee Electric, the University of Tennessee-Oak Ridge Innovation Institute, Tennessee State University and Seven States Power Corporation are teaming up to launch an innovative second-life battery storage project.

The rapid transition to electric vehicles and the escalating need for energy storage is driving demand for innovative approaches to repurposing used electric vehicle (EV) batteries to enhance the resilience of America’s electric grid. This partnership seeks to build a solution that can be helpful locally and modeled globally.

Used battery packs from Nissan ’s all-electric LEAF – the first mass-produced EV in the U.S. – will be used to construct two Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) at Nissan America’s headquarters in Franklin, Tenn. The retrieved packs will undergo testing and be assembled in modular, scalable storage systems. The BESS systems will provide supplemental power supply and peak demand shaving* for Nissan’s facilities and support the Middle Tennessee electric grid.

This project will repurpose Nissan’s used EV batteries, giving them a “second life” as a BESS for the Nissan electrical system. The group will also research how to best reduce energy usage, improve battery life, optimize energy distribution within the system and into the grid, house and scale the packs and system, in addition, make it easy and safe for consumers to connect to the electric grid.

The project leverages a circular process model. Batteries lose capacity to fully charge over time. When EV batteries reach that point, the battery’s performance is no longer ideal for use in the vehicle and the battery is replaced. These used batteries have an opportunity to be repurposed in other long-life applications.

The partners have built a strong, cross-collaborative team to assist in the implementation, assess performance and discover potential market applications. The University of Tennessee and Oak Ridge National Laboratory’s UT-Oak Ridge Innovation Institute will lead the research aspect of the project with Tom Zawodzinski , University of Tennessee Knoxville-Oak Ridge National Laboratory’s Governor’s Chair for Electrical Energy Conversion and Storage heading the effort. Middle Tennessee Electric , the utility provider for Nissan’s U.S. headquarters, will assist in integrating the battery storage unit into the electric grid and assess electric system impacts. Seven States Power Corporation will provide expert utility insights, consistent with its mission to design, develop, and deploy next generation technology for local power companies in the Tennessee Valley. Tennessee State University ’s College of Engineering will support this project by providing opportunities to develop diverse workforce and support environmental justice initiatives.

In addition to repurposing EV batteries, the partners will explore how best to package the battery cells to improve the ease of maintenance and to test the functionality and connectivity of control systems and building maintenance systems.

###

*Peak demand shaving is the proactive management of expected spikes in energy demand. By reducing or “shaving” peak energy demand in day-to-day operations, energy can be produced more efficiently and at lower costs to the end user.

PARTNER QUOTES FOLLOW:

“Nissan has a long history in electrification and battery development, which we have applied to the Tennessee-built Nissan LEAF and the all-new Ariya coming in the fall. Partnering on projects like these play a critical role in driving our Ambition 2030 vision and carbon neutrality goals in the U.S.” Kent O’Hara , President, Nissan 4R Energy U.S.

“MTE is appreciative of the collaboration with Nissan, and others, on this vital research that will positively impact the evolution of the electric grid. Distributed energy resources, such as second life batteries, will continue to support the steps MTE is taking toward smart grid investments.” Brad Gibson , Chief Cooperative Business Officer at Middle Tennessee Electric.

“ Seven States Power Corporation is excited to lend its technical expertise to find innovative ways to design, develop, and deploy battery technology in a way that benefits all stakeholders. Second life battery technology is one great example of how our region can lead the nation in technology and advanced manufacturing in the years to come.” Betsey Kirk McCall, President & CEO of Seven States Power Corporation

“Through the UT-Oak Ridge Innovation Institute, we’re able to bring together world-renowned scientists and engineers from UT and Oak Ridge National Laboratory like Tom Zawodzinski, our UT-ORNL governor’s chair in Electrical Energy Storage, to work with Nissan and other industry leaders to develop innovative, practical solutions.” Joan Bienvenue , Executive Director and Vice-Provost, University of Tennessee-Oak Ridge Innovation Institute

“This project provides an exciting opportunity to pull together a multi-disciplinary team of scientists and engineers to engage in a technically challenging, system-level problem with real-world outcomes. At both UT Knoxville and Oak Ridge National Laboratory, we draw from areas as diverse as electrical engineering, materials science and chemical sciences and engineering, to help provide guiding principles to realize maximum performance while maintaining safe operation. On top of that we hope to use this as a springboard for developing an educated and diverse workforce in Tennessee and to begin to identify with our partners’ relevant areas of environmental justice impact.” Thomas Zawodzinski , UT-Oak Ridge National Laboratory Governor’s Chair in Electrical Energy Storage, University of Tennessee Knoxville

“As the EV battery industry moves to deploy second life battery technologies, it is key that we prepare an inclusive, technically capable workforce that is equipped with the knowledge and technical ability to enter industry. Tennessee State University’s College of Engineering is excited for this opportunity to create educational programs to aid in diverse workforce development for future environmental, electrical, and mechanical engineers. Additionally, Tennessee State University has a commitment to environmental justice and is prepared to provide technical support to communities in need.” Andrea Resch Gardiner , Assistant Professor of Civil Engineering, Tennessee State University

PLEASE NOTE: Above is an image of Nissan’s Circular Process that is referred to in this release. This diagram was taken from the “ Nissan Motor Corporation Sustainability Report 2021 ” located at https://www.nissan-global.com/EN/SUSTAINABILITY/LIBRARY/SR/2021/

Seven States Power Corporation Plans for Continued Growth

Mon, 18 Apr 2022 00:00:00 GMT

As member-owners continue to innovate and plan for new technology deployments in our region, Seven States is excited to announce a search for two additional full-time staff members.

By hiring a director of technology alignment and director of business support services, Seven States will remain well-positioned to support and serve the growing needs of the 153 local power companies (LPCs) in the Tennessee Valley.

“As the demand for our services grows across the Tennessee Valley, we are constructing a team that will continue building on our foundation of serving as the trusted technology provider and innovation partner for our member-owners,” said Betsey Kirk McCall, President and CEO of Seven States Power Corporation. “We are excited about expanding and look forward to adding new team members to design, develop, and deploy critical technology projects in the region.”

Complete job descriptions can be found at the links below.

Director of Technology Alignment

Director of Business Support Services

The search for candidates comes soon after Seven States added three new team members, nearly doubling its size at the beginning of 2022.

Middle Mile Project Progressing, Nearing Launch of Phase II

Sun, 17 Apr 2022 23:57:00 GMT

As we work together to build a middle mile fiber network that will interconnect local power companies (LPCs) across the Tennessee Valley, Seven States is excited to announce the Valley-wide project is on track and moving toward the launch of Phase II.

The middle mile network will benefit the interconnected electric grid within the Tennessee Valley by enabling grid modernization while also facilitating deployments of broadband services to unserved and underserved communities. We believe the network will serve as the communications backbone for grid modernization projects such as distribution automation, work management systems, demand management programs, data center mirroring for backup and disaster recovery, and emergency communications to name a few. Additionally, LPCs will be able to purchase support services such as billing, technical support, and 24/7 call centers.

Unanimously approved by the Seven States board of directors in August 2021, the project is progressing in geographic phases, with each phase consisting of four specific steps: high-level design, detailed construction design, construction, and operation.

The local power companies (LPCs) participating in Phase I of the project have been working with Seven States and engineering firm Black & Veatch to develop a high-level design of the network. Over the next several weeks, the 36 of 44 eligible Phase I LPCs – primarily in the eastern part of the region – who signed participation agreements will have the opportunity to review the high-level design and prepare to move forward with detailed construction design.

Concurrently, Seven States is excited to launch Phase II of the project, with Seven States staff poised to begin reaching out to the 53 eligible Phase II LPCs – primarily in the middle part of the region – in the coming weeks to discuss participating in the high-level design process.

If you have questions about the middle mile project, including how to apply for middle mile infrastructure funding in state grant applications , please reach out to Clint Wilson at cwilson@7spc.com .

What Middle Mile Leaders Are Saying:

Clayton Dowell, Director of Engineering, Bristol Tennessee Essential Services: “Much like the decisions we make to build substations with an eye toward the future, it is critically important that we build out a middle mile network before we really need it, to be ready for changes coming to the grid and our customers. I am glad Seven States is taking a proactive approach to interconnect the Valley and know this work will truly pay off down the road.”

Katie Espeseth, Vice President of New Productions, EPB: “Building a middle mile fiber network will prove incredibly valuable by allowing each of our utilities to aggregate the internet needs of the Valley and lower broadband access costs and improve performance and reliability for all of us. It also gives us a unique advantage by giving all LPCs a presence in tier-1 data centers.”

Gary Bolton, President and CEO, Fiber Broadband Association President: “We applaud Seven States’ middle mile fiber network initiative to connect the Tennessee Valley. This project will provide the critical fiber backbone for the 153 LPCs across the region to significantly benefit the communities that they serve.”

Making Strides Through TVA’s Fast Charge Network

Sun, 17 Apr 2022 23:54:00 GMT

Earlier this year, Seven States was proud to join member-owner Fort Payne Improvement Authority (FPIA), the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA), and the Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs (ADECA) in celebrating the installation of two electric vehicle (EV) fast chargers in Fort Payne, the first operational charging site in TVA’s regional Fast Charge Network.

The Fast Charge Network supports the broader National Electric Highway Coalition, enabling long-distance electric vehicle travel by placing public fast chargers every 50 miles along interstates and major highways throughout Alabama and across the United States.

Seven States provided technical and project management support to FPIA on the project and stands ready to assist all LPCs interested in the program.

“The Seven States team was instrumental in the success of our EV Charger project in Fort Payne. The knowledge and hands on support from grant preparation to charger installation and start-up allowed the project to run smoothly, and ultimately be first in the TVA Fast Charge Network,” said Mike Shirey, General Manager of FPIA.

To learn more about the project in Fort Payne, click here .

“We were thrilled to partner with FPIA, TVA and ADECA on the fast charger project and are eager to use this blueprint across the Tennessee Valley to assist member-owners as they deploy charging stations in their service territories,” said Betsey Kirk McCall, President and CEO of Seven States.

Seven States is working with nearly 40 LPCs to install more than 80 chargers across the Valley as part of the Fast Charge Network and continues to work with TVA, state agencies, Drive Electric Tennessee, and other stakeholders to maximize access to grant funding which will lead to the deployment of more chargers.

Up next, Seven States is partnering with member-owner Warren Rural Electric Cooperative Corporation (Warren RECC) and TVA on the installation of two electric vehicle fast chargers. As the project nears completion, Warren RECC will soon operate fast chargers in addition to the level 2 chargers previously deployed in their service territory and available to the public.

“We are excited to work with Seven States, Hucks, and TVA to introduce electric vehicle charging along the Western Kentucky Parkway in Ohio County. This project supports the continued innovation in the automotive industry and ensures that our communities are ready for the future,” said Stephen Miller, Electrical Engineer at Warren RECC.

Have questions about the Fast Charge Network program or any EV related topic? Contact Lance Irwin lirwin@7spc.com or Joe Knox jknox@7spc.com on our team, who can support all of your EV charging, fleet conversion, and electrification needs.

Seven States Holds Cyber Security Awareness Webinar for Member-Owners

Sun, 17 Apr 2022 23:48:00 GMT

Thank you to our member-owners and panelists who joined our 2022 cyber security webinar last month. The webinar built on our 2020 cyber security awareness series , which focused on the identify function of the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Cyber Security Framework and introduced tools from the American Public Power Association (APPA) and National Rural Electric Cooperative Association (NRECA) that local power companies can use to perform cyber security assessments.

In PART II, we focused on the detect and protect functions of the cyber security framework. Experts from Intuitive Research and Technologies, Huntsville Utilities, the TVA, and NRECA discussed their experience utilizing managed security service providers and efforts underway to establish an LPC-focused shared security service in our region.

“As our member-owner’s operational and enterprise networks expand, so do the efforts of activists trying to break in and cripple the critical infrastructure running the economic and social engine of the Tennessee Valley that our members provide,” said Lance Irwin, Vice President of Partnerships and Project Development for Seven States. “The effort required to detect threats and protect networks is becoming more challenging for in-house resources alone. That’s why we leveraged our relationships with local and national resources for this webinar to help our members confidently evaluate options for augmenting their own efforts.”

For more information or to schedule a one-on-one meeting to discuss these topics, please contact Lance Irwin at lirwin@7spc.com .

Helping Member-Owners Navigate Broadband Grant Applications

Thu, 31 Mar 2022 14:40:00 GMT

Thank you to our member-owners and panelists who joined our Middle Mile webinar in February!

As we work together to build a middle mile network that will interconnect local power companies (LPCs) across the Valley for both electric system and broadband benefits, Seven States facilitated a conversation on how LPCs can apply for middle mile infrastructure in their Tennessee grant application. We heard from a panel of grant experts on what infrastructure qualifies for the state grant and discussed the best language to include in applications that highlight middle mile efforts.

“It is important for LPCs to know that when they apply for last mile funding through state grants, they can also apply for middle mile funding. Being able to secure funding for both efforts enhances an LPC’s ability to build out fiber for electric system benefits and providing additional services to their customers,” said Clint Wilson, SVP Engineering & Market Innovation for Seven States. “We will continue to provide guidance as we work together to interconnect LPCs across the Valley for both electric system and broadband benefits.”

The webinar guest speakers included:
Emily You: State of TN ECD, Broadband Grants Manager
Heather Mills: CTC Technology & Energy, VP Grant & Funding Strategies
Crystal Ivey: Knoxville Utilities Board, Fiber Broadband Team
Clint Wilson: Seven States, SVP Engineering & Market Innovation

For more information, contact Clint Wilson at cwilson@7spc.com .

Seven States Team Doubles in Size in First Year as Independent Organization

Thu, 27 Jan 2022 01:12:00 GMT

Over the past two months, Seven States Power Corporation has welcomed three new team members, doubling its size over the past year to better support and serve its member-owners, the 153 local power companies in the Tennessee Valley. Lance Irwin, Marleen Hamilton, and Joe Knox join the organization less than one year after Seven States launched as an independent organization, now growing the team to seven who will support member technology projects.

“We could not be more excited to welcome Lance, Marleen, and Joe to our growing team,” said Betsey Kirk McCall, President and CEO of Seven States Power Corporation. “As we have defined our brand and built out a portfolio of projects over the past year, we have been blown away by the need for our services. The substantial growth we are experiencing affirms the decision our board made less than a year ago to launch Seven States as an independent organization. By growing our team, Seven States will be better positioned to support the number of projects across the Valley as we continue to serve as the ‘easy button’ for our member-owners.”

Lance Irwin will serve as Vice President of Research and Portfolio Optimization. He joins Seven States from the Electric Power Board (EPB) of Chattanooga, where he most recently served as Director of Energy Solutions Technology. After graduating from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, with a degree in electrical and computer engineering, Irwin began his career at EPB as Engineer and Meter Department Manager before ultimately becoming the Director of Global Utility and Renewables Market Strategy at Schneider Electric, a multinational company providing energy and automation digital solutions. After a six year stint with Schneider, Irwin returned to the electric utility industry and EPB in 2018.

“Through my role at EPB, I was able to work firsthand with Seven States and am excited about the role the cooperative is playing as we move the Tennessee Valley forward,” said Lance Irwin, Vice President of Research and Portfolio Optimization. “I am eager to get to work.”

Marleen Hamilton will serve as Director of Finance and Accounting. With more than 26 years of corporate accounting experience with both for profit and not for profit organizations, Hamilton is uniquely positioned to lead finance efforts for Seven States. Most recently, she oversaw day-to-day operations for 19 separate entities, with experience in budgeting, cash management, compliance, accounts payable, accounts receivable, balance sheet reconciliations, and audits.

“I could not be more excited to join the Seven States team during this time of explosive growth,” said Marleen Hamilton, Director of Finance and Accounting. “The energy and excitement around the innovative work being done here is palpable, and I look forward to helping the team fulfill its mission as we continue to best serve our member-owners across the Tennessee Valley.”

“With my extensive background in electrical systems and vehicle fueling technologies, combined with my engineering experience, I am excited to serve local power companies in the Tennessee Valley and assist the team as we execute on the vision for Seven States,” said Joe Knox, Director of Technology Deployment.

Celebrating First Operational Charging Site in TVA’s Fast Charge Network

Thu, 27 Jan 2022 01:11:00 GMT

On January 24, 2022, Seven States Power Corporation joined member-owner Fort Payne Improvement Authority (FPIA), the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA), and the Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs (ADECA) in celebrating the installation of two electric vehicle (EV) fast chargers in Fort Payne, making it the first operational charging site in the Tennessee Valley Authority’s (TVA) regional Fast Charge Network.

Seven States Power Corporation provided technical and project management support to FPIA on the project.

“This is a great example of how through partnerships, we can design, develop and deploy technologies to enhance the communities in which we live, work and play,” said Betsey Kirk McCall, President and CEO of Seven States. “We are thrilled to partner with FPIA, TVA and ADECA on this project and create a blueprint for the rest of the Tennessee Valley.”

“We moved quickly to participate in this program because we want to make it easy for people to choose EVs so our community can enjoy the environmental and economic benefits of electric transportation,” said FPIA’s General Manager, Mike Shirey. “The support from TVA and grant funding from ADECA made it possible to add charging stations without affecting our customers’ bills.”

TVA has brought together local power companies, state agencies and others to pave the way for well over 200,000 EVs on Tennessee Valley roads by 2028. The benefits this increase in EVs will provide to the Tennessee Valley region are significant:

“At TVA we’ve moved far beyond connecting communities with power lines,” said Jeannette Mills, TVA Executive Vice President and Chief External Relations Officer. “Today, EVs use our clean, low-cost, reliable electricity to connect communities and commerce across our seven-state region. By taking a leadership role in EV technology, TVA and local power companies like FPIA are not only saving drivers money but benefiting everyone in the Valley by attracting tourism and good jobs while stewarding our environment for future generations. These investments are possible because of our public power model.”

If you have questions about the Fast Charge Network and how your local power company can get involved, please reach out to Seven States’ James Ellis at jellis@7spc.com .

Seven States Power Corporation to Hold 2022 Annual Meeting in Memphis

Thu, 27 Jan 2022 01:08:00 GMT

2021 was an exciting year for the Tennessee Valley and for Seven States.

We became an independent business, grew our team, and continued our work as the trusted technology solutions provider for our member-owners.

Looking to the future, and with our members in the driver’s seat, we are laser-focused on helping LPCs meet their needs on electric vehicle charging, solar, fiber, load management, and more.

As we celebrate innovation and the work being done across the Valley, we are excited to invite our members to join us at our 2022 annual meeting, which will take place on November 2nd and 3rd at the University of Memphis in partnership with the FedEx Institute of Technology.

The two-day event will kick off with a board meeting on the afternoon of Wednesday, November 2, with the business meeting to be held the morning of Thursday, November 3. During the membership meeting, members will hear from special guest speakers and industry leaders.

Seven States’ annual meeting is open to all LPC members. Registration information will be released soon. More information will be released later this year. Please direct all questions to Betsey Kirk McCall at bkmccall@7spc.com .

Irwin Joins Seven States Power Corporation at Time of Exciting Growth

Wed, 05 Jan 2022 18:00:00 GMT

Entering a new year amidst substantial growth, Seven States Power Corporation this week welcomed a new team member with the addition of Lance Irwin, who will serve as Vice President of Research and Portfolio Optimization. Irwin joins Seven States from the Electric Power Board (EPB) of Chattanooga, where he most recently served as Director of Energy Solutions Technology.

Less than a year after Seven States launched as an independent business, the trusted energy and technology solutions provider has nearly doubled its size to better support and serve its member-owners, the 153 local power companies in the Tennessee Valley.

“We could not be more excited to welcome Lance to our growing team,” said Betsey Kirk McCall, President and CEO of Seven States Power Corporation. “Lance’s experience in the industry will be invaluable as we continue to design and develop new solutions through hands-on research projects and enhance our technology offerings of electrification, renewables and connectivity.”

After graduating from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, with a degree in electrical and computer engineering, Irwin began his career at EPB as Engineer and Meter Department Manager before ultimately becoming the Director of Global Utility and Renewables Market Strategy at Schneider Electric, a multinational company providing energy and automation digital solutions. After a six year stint with Schneider, Irwin returned to the electric utility industry and EPB in 2018. With the technical acumen to identify and understand potential market applications for new technology, he has extensive experience developing and implementing forward-looking strategies and has worked with customers to find solutions that solve complex problems, add value, and grow their business. Irwin currently resides in Knoxville and holds a master’s degree in Christian studies from Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary.

The addition of Irwin comes less than a month after Seven States welcomed two new team members, Marleen Hamilton, Director of Finance & Accounting, and Joe Knox, Director of Technology Deployments.

Seven States Power Corporation Expands Team Amidst Substantial Growth

Tue, 07 Dec 2021 20:02:00 GMT

Less than one year after Seven States Power Corporation launched as an independent business under the leadership of Betsey Kirk McCall, the trusted energy and technology solutions provider is expanding with the addition of two full-time team members.

Joining the team are Marleen Hamilton and Joe Knox, who bring unique experience to help Seven States deliver industry-leading expertise in electric vehicle charging infrastructure; solar power generation technology; middle-mile fiber connectivity; battery storage; and other game-changing technologies designed to empower the Tennessee Valley’s local power companies to deliver on the promise of safe, reliable, and innovative energy projects.

“As we have defined our brand and built out a portfolio of projects over the past year, we have been blown away by the need for our services,” said Betsey Kirk McCall, President and CEO of Seven States Power Corporation. “The substantial growth we are experiencing affirms the decision our board made less than a year ago to launch Seven States as an independent business. By bringing Marleen and Joe on board, Seven States will be better positioned to support the growing number of projects across the Valley as we continue to serve as the ‘easy button’ for our member-owners.”

Marleen Hamilton joins Seven States as Director of Finance and Accounting. With more than 26 years of corporate accounting experience with both for profit and not for profit organizations, Hamilton is uniquely positioned to lead finance efforts for Seven States. Most recently, she oversaw day-to-day operations for 19 separate entities, with experience in budgeting, cash management, compliance, accounts payable, accounts receivable, balance sheet reconciliations, and audits. Hamilton holds a bachelor of science in accounting from Lee University and resides in Cleveland.

Licensed professional engineer Joe Knox joins Seven States as Director of Technology Deployment from Knox Consulting Services, a consulting business he started in 2015 to provide technical services to a wide range of clients. His extensive engineering and project management experience will be invaluable as Seven States continues to partner with local power companies to meet the growing demand for technology in the Valley. Knox is a native of Middle Tennessee and graduated from Tennessee Technological University with a bachelor of science degree in civil engineering. He currently resides in Hendersonville with his wife and two children.

A Letter From the Desk of Seven States President and CEO Betsey Kirk McCall

Mon, 15 Nov 2021 15:55:00 GMT

Seven States Member-Owners, Partners, and Friends,

Following the conclusion of our annual meeting, I want to take a moment to reflect on the past year and thank each of you for allowing Seven States to serve you in 2021.

As those of you in attendance at Rock City heard, there are a lot of exciting things happening in the Tennessee Valley. At Seven States, we are proud to play a distinct role in that progress as the trusted energy and technology solutions provider for local power companies (LPCs).

This year, our board identified Seven States as a much-needed entity and dedicated a full-time staff to research, design solutions, collaborate with TVA and industry partners, and deploy technology for and with LPCs. The board’s actions allow us to be laser focused on helping LPCs meet their technology needs. And the timing is good because of the exponential increase in demand for project management and consulting services from our members.

To date, more than 70 LPCs have utilized Seven States for electric vehicle (EV) charging, solar, fiber, and load management projects. On average, we have saved LPCs more than 5% with our special pricing arrangements.

Whether through Project Liftoff in Huntsville , the celebration of our 100 ^th EV charging installation in two years, or the solar-powered arbor unveiled last week at Rock City, it is easy to see how we are investing, validating, and learning from research that gets more refined with each subsequent design and deployment.

At the end of the day, it comes down to this: we are serving as the “easy button” for our member-owners’ innovation needs.

So, what comes next?

With increased focus nationwide on carbon reduction, renewable resources, and digital solutions – and with unprecedented flexibility from TVA to provide cleaner, greener power – LPCs are rapidly evolving.

Long gone are the days of solar, battery storage, electric vehicle chargers, fiber deployment, and cybersecurity being “technologies of the future.” The future is here. And at Seven States, we are ready to help our member-owners meet the moment. Not just conceptually or through conversation – but in practice.

We are experiencing substantial growth and have a lot of exciting work in the pipeline, including:

As we have taken powerful steps to define our brand, build a portfolio of projects, and dedicate a growing full-time staff to Seven States, we believe our work speaks for itself and reflects the success of our member-owners.

Looking to the future, and with our member-owners in the driver seat, we are eager to continue serving as the vehicle for innovative projects. And with your continual support, I know we will continue to move the Valley forward together.

Sincerely,

Betsey Kirk McCall
President and CEO
Seven States Power Corporation

Seven States Power Corporation Presents Awards at 2021 Annual Meeting

Mon, 15 Nov 2021 15:52:00 GMT

Each year at its annual meeting, Seven States Power Corporation recognizes companies, organizations, and/or individuals who are playing outsized roles in moving the Tennessee Valley forward.

This year, Seven States was proud to present its Innovation Champion Award to an organization that embraces the spirit of innovation and exemplifies it in their operations: See Rock City, Inc.

See Rock City, Inc. President and CEO Susan Harris accepted the award on Rock City’s behalf.

Read more about the completion of a new solar-powered arbor that will reduce energy consumption and enhance educational opportunities at Rock City here. The project was completed in partnership with Seven States and member-owner EPB of Chattanooga.

With the number of projects Seven States has completed over the past three years, it has learned one thing for certain: all it takes is a spark – one innovative idea leading to another to build an even brighter future.

New this year, Seven States presented the Seven States Spark Award to recognize an organization that has demonstrated its commitment to innovation through various projects, including community solar, electric vehicle charging infrastructure, and Green Invest, just to name a few.

Seven States was proud to present the inaugural Spark Award to Decosta Jenkins, President and CEO of Nashville Electric Service (NES). Congratulations to Decosta and the NES team!

Last, but certainly not least, Seven States celebrated Terry Kemp, General Manager of Starkville Utilities, for his commitment and service to the board of directors.

For more than six years, Terry has been instrumental in guiding Seven States’s mission with his insights and expertise. When Seven States Energy, LLC, an entity that could leverage tax credits for members, was formed, Terry welcomed the opportunity to serve as the first chair of the new entity’s board.

Seven States is beyond grateful for Terry’s contributions to Seven States. He has been integral to the cooperative’s success. Congratulations, Terry! And thank you for your time, dedication, and leadership to Seven States.

Seven States Holds 2021 Annual Meeting at Rock City Amidst Substantial Growth

Mon, 15 Nov 2021 15:43:00 GMT

Seven States Power Corporation held its 2021 annual meeting November 4-5 at Rock City in Lookout Mountain, Georgia, just miles from downtown Chattanooga, Tennessee. The two-day event kicked off with a board meeting on the afternoon of Thursday, November 4, with the business meeting following on the morning of Friday, November 5.

“We were thrilled to host our members and special guests at Rock City in the beautiful Scenic City for this year’s annual meeting and solar arbor dedication,” said Betsey Kirk McCall, President and CEO of Seven States Power Corporation. “The turnout was even better than expected and the excitement around the role of Seven States was palpable. We are proud of the work our member-owners are doing and look forward to continuing to partner with them as we move the Tennessee Valley forward together.”

Much of the discussion at the annual meeting centered around the substantial growth Seven States has experienced since it launched as a self-reliant energy solutions company in February 2021, with plans to bring additional staff on board within the next few months.

During the business meeting, Seven States welcomed Jason Griggs, General Manager of Milan Public Utilities, as the newest member of the board of directors from Division 10.

“We are excited about Jason joining the board of directors at this time of growth and look forward to his leadership and service on the board,” said Jeff Dykes, CEO of BrightRidge and Chairman of the Seven States Power Corporation Board of Directors.

Following the conclusion of the business meeting, attendees heard from featured guest speakers, including Wolfgang Maluche, Vice President of Engineering at Volkswagen, and Jeff Lyash, President and CEO of the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA).

Maluche provided an overview of Volkswagen’s manufacturing operations and research and development activities in the North American region, including in Chattanooga.

“We are really happy and proud that we have the right partners here in the region,” Maluche said.

Keynote speaker Jeff Lyash, President and CEO of the Tennessee Valley Authority, discussed the important role Seven States plays in the region.

“I am so impressed with the way you have reshaped Seven States as a critical partner,” said Lyash. “And exactly what that sign says: designing, developing, and deploying. That’s a distinct role. It is distinct from TVA. It is distinct from you as an individual LPC. It is distinct from TVPPA as a trade association. It has a particular focus that will develop over time to help do that: design, develop, and deploy innovative solutions across this distribution footprint in the Valley.”

Following the conclusion of the annual meeting, Seven States, member-owner EPB, and EPB-customer Rock City celebrated the installation of a solar-powered arbor that will reduce energy consumption and enhance sustainability opportunities at Rock City. Read more here.

Click here to view photos from the 2021 annual meeting.

Photo Gallery: 2021 Seven States Annual Meeting at Rock City

Wed, 10 Nov 2021 22:56:00 GMT

Much of the discussion centered around the substantial growth Seven States has experienced since it launched as a self-reliant energy solutions company in February 2021. Featured guest speakers on Friday included Jeff Lyash, President and CEO of the Tennessee Valley Authority, and Wolfgang Maluche, Vice President of Engineering at Volkswagen.

Following the conclusion of the business meeting, Seven States, member-owner EPB, and EPB-customer Rock City celebrated the installation of a solar-powered arbor that will reduce energy consumption and enhance sustainability opportunities at Rock City.

Below you will find photos from the 2021 Seven States Annual Meeting. All photos were taken by Rich Smith and belong to Seven States Power Corporation.

Seven States, EPB, and Rock City Partner to Deploy Educational Solar Arbor

Wed, 10 Nov 2021 21:49:00 GMT

Seven States Power Corporation, EPB, and Rock City are celebrating the completion of a new solar powered arbor that will reduce energy consumption and enhance educational opportunities at Rock City. The partners began construction of the plant arbor, which is being used as a framework for the solar system installation, near the Rock City guest entrance in August 2021. Power from the solar arbor is connected to the ticket booth, which will enhance the availability of sustainable energy to the facility while also helping the partners educate Rock City customers about solar and promote the use of it. Guests will be able to see sustainability in action when they visit Rock City.

“The Rock City Innovation Team, comprised of amazing craftsmen and artists who own our legacy and brand, were the perfect leaders for us in this important project,” said Susan Harris, Rock City President & CEO. “They understand our need for continual guest enhancements, while committing to sustainable methods that prioritize the natural wonders of Rock City Gardens. The new solar arbor on our ticket plaza sets the tone beautifully for guests who visit.”

The solar canopy will generate approximately 16,800 kWh of renewable energy annually – enough to power 40 refrigerators or 3,200 cell phones for an entire year. The celebration concluded the Seven States Power Corporation annual meeting which was held at Rock City.

“We could not be more excited to host our members and special guests at Rock City in the beautiful Scenic City for this year’s annual meeting and solar arbor dedication,” said Betsey Kirk McCall, Seven States Power Corporation President & CEO. “As the leading technology solutions provider to local power companies across the Tennessee Valley, it has been a pleasure working with Rock City and EPB on this unique and innovative project. We believe it can serve as a blueprint for others across the Valley and show what the power of partnerships can do as we all continue to explore new ways to best serve our communities.”

“EPB’s partnership is part of our mission to help enhance quality of life for our customers by sharing our energy expertise, providing access to innovative energy solutions, and promoting environmentally sustainable power generation,” said David Wade, EPB President & CEO.

Lightwave Solar served as the contractor for the construction of the solar arbor.

Partnering with UTK, KUB on Electric Vehicle ChargePoint Station on Campus

Tue, 02 Nov 2021 15:19:00 GMT

Faculty, staff, students, and visitors commuting to the east part of campus now have a new option for charging their electric vehicles, thanks to a partnership between the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Seven States Power Corporation , and Knoxville Utilities Board (KUB).

The ChargePoint station is located in the Staff 7 lot across from the Wayne G. Basler Boathouse, and features a single unit with two charging ports. That location was chosen after students in UT’s Heath Integrated Business and Engineering Program (Heath IBEP) evaluated potential sites based off of a variety of factors.

Heath IBEP students—who come from the Haslam College of Business and Tickle College of Engineering—will use relevant skills learned through the program to address whether current chargers need to be upgraded or replaced with smart chargers, monitor and give feedback on revenue as needed, and provide other educational opportunities.

Learn more about the EV charger.

Charging at the location will be available for a fee of $1 per hour for the first four hours, with the rate increasing to $2 per hour after that.

“Our program encourages students to come together and solve issues by approaching them from both a business and an engineering aspect,” said Mary Pile, who was Heath IBEP director at the time of the project. “This undertaking is the culmination of work that began last year when we got together with Seven States and KUB, but it doesn’t end with this installation. Moving forward, the goal is to help develop an overall campus plan regarding electric vehicle chargers that can be used for years to come.”

To put the fees in perspective, the cost to charge a vehicle at the station equates to between two-to-three cents per mile, compared to between 12-14 cents per mile for an average gas engine.

For Seven States, the addition is the latest sign of growth for the company, which now has more than 100 installations across the Tennessee Valley in less than three years.

“We could not be more excited to work with the University of Tennessee, Knoxville and KUB on this installation,” said Betsey Kirk McCall, President and CEO of Seven States Power Corporation. “It is the latest example of the power of partnerships as we continue our work to build out electric vehicle infrastructure across the Tennessee Valley. We appreciate KUB, campus leadership, and the students involved in making this a reality.”

KUB, which provides public utilities to Knox County and parts of seven surrounding counties, helps promote electric vehicle use through its EV Charger Rebate Program, adoption of TVAs EV charger wholesale rate, and more.

“We’re proud to support the adoption of EVs throughout our service territory,” said KUB President and CEO Gabriel Bolas. “Partners like the University of Tennessee, TVA, and Seven States make our work toward a more sustainable future even easier, and we’re thrilled to see a new public charging station installed on campus.”

The site is the 24th EV charger installation on campus, but the only networked charger that offers the university real-time data for analysis, including evaluating the potential need for expansion to other locations.

Celebrating the First Joint Solar Project in the Tennessee Valley

Fri, 22 Oct 2021 16:18:00 GMT

At the Tennessee Valley Solar Conference on October 13, Appalachian Electric Cooperative (AEC) and Morristown Utilities Commission (MUC) were celebrated for pursing the first joint solar project in the Tennessee Valley, earning the Tennessee Solar Energy Industries Association’s (TenneSEIA) 2021 Solar Champion Award, which recognizes substantial contributions to expanding solar in the region.

“We applaud AEC and MUC for their unique and innovative approach toward jointly pursuing solar generation that benefits their communities and customers,” said Betsey Kirk McCall, President and CEO of Seven States Power. “We also celebrate TVA for supporting this unique approach and are proud of the role we are able to play in providing solar consulting services to both LPCs throughout the life of the project.”

The 28.4MW project, set to be completed by 2023, will allow TVA to adjust the wholesale bill for each LPC to reflect a 50/50 split of the power generated by the facility.

The project is the first of its kind in the Tennessee Valley and was made possible by TVA’s Flexibility Program, which allows LPCs to meet 5% of their power needs through local generating sources.

Greg Williams, General Manager and Executive Vice President of AEC, and Jody Wigington, General Manager and CEO of MUC, accepted the award on behalf of their entities.

“The partnership between AEC and MUC serves as a great case study for other LPCs across the Tennessee Valley who are looking for creative ways to deploy solutions that best serve their customers,” said Steve Noe, Vice President of Sustainability & Energy Resilience of Seven States Power. “We were thrilled to get the call from Greg and Jody and have enjoyed working with them to make this a reality.”

For more information on how Seven States can help design, develop, and deploy solar projects in your area, please contact Steve Noe .

Member-Owners to Gather on November 5 to “See Seven States” at Rock City!

Mon, 27 Sep 2021 19:54:00 GMT

Seven States Power Corporation’s 2021 annual meeting will be held November 4-5, 2021, at Rock City in Lookout Mountain, Georgia. The two-day event will kick off with a board meeting on the afternoon of Thursday, November 4, with the business meeting to be held the morning of Friday, November 5. Featured guest speakers on Friday will include Jeff Lyash, President and CEO of the Tennessee Valley Authority, and Wolfgang Maluche, Vice President of Engineering of Volkswagen. Following the conclusion of the business meeting, Seven States, member-owner EPB, and EPB-customer Rock City will celebrate the installation of a solar-powered arbor that will reduce energy consumption and enhance sustainability opportunities at Rock City.

“We could not be more excited to host our members and special guests at Rock City in the beautiful Scenic City for this year’s annual meeting and solar arbor dedication,” said Betsey Kirk McCall, President and CEO of Seven States Power Corporation. “During these unprecedented times, we are fortunate to have the opportunity to gather together in person and virtually and look forward to sharing more with our members about the work Seven States is doing to move the Valley forward.”

Seven States’s annual meeting is open to members only. Due to COVID-19 considerations and with the health and safety of our member-owners and special guests at top of mind, space is limited.

For more information, please contact Betsey Kirk McCall at bkmccall@7spc.com.

Leading EV Readiness Efforts in the Valley

Wed, 07 Jul 2021 15:20:00 GMT

One of the ways Seven States is fulfilling its mission as the future-ready provider in the Tennessee Valley is by helping local power companies (LPCs) meet the changing needs of customers in the electric vehicle (EV) space.

In June, as Seven States celebrated the deployment of its 100 ^th EV charger in the Tennessee Valley, it launched EV365 – a utility readiness platform – to help LPCs simplify electrification and create economic value in their communities through a series of tools and mechanisms that will allow them to take full advantage of the growing transportation electrification market in the Valley. EV365 kicked off on June 4 with more than 100 participants attending a webinar focused on Direct Current Fast Charging (DCFC).

The EV365 platform has three initial market verticals for fueling electric vehicles, including DCFC , commercial applications for Level-2 charging (fleet and public use cases), and residential smart charging infrastructure. EV365 provides best practices and utility insights to help meet the daily fueling needs of any customer and is intended to make the transition to delivering electric fuel easy for LPCs. Seven States is continuing to add tools and resources to the EV365 platform and encourages LPCs to reach out for help with fleet transition planning, customer product/ program design, and charging infrastructure solutions for their communities. EV365 is a one-stop resource for LPC’s electric transportation needs.

Over the next year, you will see communications from Seven States about EV365 as we hold webinars, conduct tours, and host other collaborative events.

In the second installment of the EV365 webinar series, Seven States Vice President of Partnerships and Project Development James Ellis will be joined by special guests from the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) and the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation (TDEC) to explore the new DCFC program launching in Tennessee, which provides LPCs with 80% of the funding to deploy DCFC in their service territory and lower a critical barrier to the adoption of electric vehicles in the Valley.

LPCs, keep an eye out for more information from Seven States on how you can join the conversation on August 3 from 1:00 – 2:00 p.m. ET to learn more about the program and how you can participate. Ellis will also share more about how Seven States can provide charging infrastructure and full turnkey solutions for DCFC projects.

Development of the Middle Mile Fiber Network

Wed, 07 Jul 2021 15:18:00 GMT

By leveraging bulk pricing and strategic partnerships, Seven States is working to stand up a valley-wide fiber transport network to fully interconnect utilities in the Tennessee Valley. The “Middle Mile” fiber optic network, owned and operated by local power companies (LPCs), will enable grid modernization of the electric system, offer operational efficiencies, and enhance reliability for consumers and communities across the seven-state region.

As Seven States continues its work to interconnect the 153 LPCs in the Valley, the power of partnerships has never been more important. Seven States assembled a team of 15 subject matter experts (SMEs) from across the Valley, including 13 LPC SMEs with representation from each of the seven districts. Additionally, Seven States and Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) are looking at potential future collaborations related to the middle mile network to evaluate research and development project opportunities.

“Oak Ridge National Laboratory is excited to see Seven States work to build out a middle mile fiber network across the Tennessee Valley,” said Jeff Cornett, Manager of Industrial Partnerships and Economic Development at ORNL. “As I see in my day-to-day work, the region needs affordable, high-speed broadband to support several critical areas, education, healthcare, innovation and economic development. A middle mile network that provides secure, reliable communications will put communities across the valley in a prime position for recruitment and create a real competitive advantage over other sites under consideration. We also are working with Seven States to understand the best options for cost-effective last-mile buildout as we work toward a shared goal of connectivity across our region.”

Seven States Senior Vice President of Engineering and Market Innovation Clint Wilson will provide an update on the middle mile project at the Fiber Broadband Association’s upcoming annual conference, which will be held July 25-28 at the Gaylord Opryland Resort & Convention Center in Nashville, Tennessee.

Fiber Connect 2021 will offer new and unique opportunities for business development, market development, technology demonstration, and peer-group interaction. Seven States’ session will be held Monday, July 26 at 3:30 p.m. CT.

To register, visit fiberconnect2021.com. Seven States members will receive a 25% discount on registration fees with the promo code “7SPC”.

Seven States Leading Innovative Work Across the Region

Wed, 07 Jul 2021 15:07:00 GMT

On May 12, Seven States Power Corporation held its first board meeting as a newly independent business. One of the most significant actions taken during the meeting was the board of directors’ unanimous endorsement of a resolution defining Seven States’ role in the Tennessee Valley as a trusted energy solutions provider for local power companies (LPCs).

Owned and operated by the 153 LPCs in the Tennessee Valley, Seven States is more than an equipment provider or execution arm, it is an energy services cooperative. With its core values of integrity, innovation, sustainability, service, and partnerships in mind, Seven States designs, develops, and deploys future-ready solutions for its member-owners by working alongside LPCs as they evaluate the wide range of innovative technologies and environmentally-conscious energy solutions available to them.

As LPCs evolve to meet the changing needs of customers, Seven States provides value through turnkey solutions – from the strategy stage, through infrastructure planning – and makes new technology easy to implement. Seven States deploys solutions that align with its member companies and the Tennessee Valley Authority’s shared vision for distributed energy resources that support grid resiliency, economic development, and carbon reduction efforts.

By endorsing the vision, strategy, and execution principles for Seven States, the board of directors solidified the company’s role in:

Under the leadership of President and CEO Betsey Kirk McCall, Seven States is well-positioned to design and develop future energy resources, beginning with the rapid deployment of electric vehicle (EV) chargers, customized approaches to solar installations, battery storage research, and the creation of a “middle mile” fiber optic network that will benefit LPCs and local communities across the seven states in the Tennessee Valley.

Celebrating a Major Milestone: 100th EV Charger Installation

Tue, 22 Jun 2021 15:59:00 GMT

On Thursday, Seven States Power Corporation celebrated the installation of eight electric vehicle (EV) charging stations on the campus of East Tennessee State University (ETSU). The project was funded by students,...

TVC Panel on Partnerships Features McCall

Fri, 18 Jun 2021 16:05:00 GMT

The Tennessee Valley Corridor (TVC) National Summit promotes initiatives that advance its mission and encourage ongoing collaboration in energy, science, environment, space, national security and education. Seven States Power was honored to sponsor the event, themed “The Power of Partnerships and Collaboration,” and held June 2-3, 2021, on the University of Tennessee (UT) campus in Knoxville.

One summit session featured a panel discussion moderated by UT Vice President Dr. Stacey Patterson, and featured UT-Oak Ridge Innovation Institute Executive Director Dr. Joan Bienvenue, Eastman Senior Vice President Mark Cox, TVC Director of Innovation Michael Aikens, and our own President & CEO Betsey Kirk McCall.

Click below to see the session in full.

Ellis Rounds Out Seven States Team

Mon, 12 Apr 2021 20:46:00 GMT

The appointment of James Ellis as Seven States Power Corp’s vice president of partnerships and project development rounds out the team of experts helping Seven States Power deliver industry-leading expertise in electric vehicle charging infrastructure; solar power generation technology; middle-mile fiber connectivity; battery storage and other game-changing technologies designed to empower the Tennessee Valley’s local power companies to deliver on the promise of safe and reliable clean energy projects.

Ellis joins President and CEO Betsey Kirk McCall as well as Clint Wilson, senior vice president of engineering and market innovation and Steve Noe, vice president of sustainability and energy resilience. He brings more than 15 years of experience in sustainable transportation and clean energy projects.

Ellis joins Seven States at an opportune moment to help local power companies (LPCs) achieve their EV-charging and clean energy goals and will hold responsibility for establishing and executing the company’s strategy for electrification and building Seven States Power’s significant collaborations.

“With every major automaker committed to building EVs and with General Motors, Nissan, Volkswagen, and Toyota along with their OEM partners building EVs in the Valley, plus the research being done by our universities, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, EPRI, and other organizations here, the Tennessee Valley is poised for success as a leader in EV transportation,” says Ellis. “Seven States can bring all these diverse influences together to create a synergy that will allow our region to set an example for EV adoption for the rest of the country.”

Before joining Seven States Power, James worked for the Tennessee Valley Authority to advance electric transportation resources for local power companies, he led Nissan’s corporate planning for zero-emission mobility infrastructure strategy, was the Director of Electrification & Electric Vehicles at Pacific Gas & Electric, served as Senior Director for Utility Solutions North America with market-leading firm ChargePoint, and most recently led global utility engagement and fleet electrification strategy with Amazon.

“We are thrilled to bring James Ellis onto the Seven States team,” says Betsey Kirk McCall, president and CEO of Seven States Power. “With his extensive understanding of electricity as a transportation fuel, Seven States will continue offering and expanding end-to-end EV project delivery from grant application and equipment selection to budget development and full turn-key project management. We are excited to deploy innovative technologies that align with the LPC’s and TVA’s shared vision for distributed energy solutions to support economic development and carbon reduction efforts in the Valley. We believe James will quickly become an invaluable asset to our LPC partners as we empower them to be at the center of this transportation revolution.”

Seven States Wants to Put You on the EV-Charger Map

Mon, 12 Apr 2021 14:50:00 GMT

An EV fast charging station every 50 miles along Tennessee’s interstates and major highways – that’s the goal of the Tennessee Fast Charging Corridor Network, a collaboration between the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) and the Tennessee Department of Environment & Conservation (TDEC). Designed to help promote adoption of electric vehicles (EVs) by alleviating range anxiety while also advancing the State’s goal of establishing a statewide corridor fast-charging network that improves transportation efficiency, reduces vehicle emissions and strengthens the resiliency of Tennessee’s transportation network, this program will provide funding, through grants, to local power companies (LPCs) interested in installing EV fast-chargers as part of the network. And Seven States Power Corp. stands ready to help LPCs apply for those grants and get on the EV fast-charger map.

By working with LPCs in Tennessee to guide them through all stages of the process – from the grant application for TVA/TDEC’s distribution of funds, to site selection, identifying the right equipment, and the installation of their EV fast charger, Seven States works as an extension of the LPC’s own staff to deliver end-to-end service. While this program is specific to Tennessee, the Seven States team recently worked with two LPCs in Alabama to complete grant applications for their state’s fund to install chargers in their communities. With over 90 EV charger installations completed in two years, this experienced team delivers the know-how to make the entire process of EV charger installation seamless and easy for LPCs all over the Valley.

“The Tennessee Valley stands at the forefront of EV infrastructure readiness,” says James Ellis, vice president of partnerships and project development for Seven States Power. “And Seven States provides LPCs in the Valley with the expert guidance they need to support critical EV infrastructure for their community. And, of course, we can even help put their staff in the driver’s seat of an EV to better understand and promote the technology.”

In addition to bringing extensive EV knowledge to LPCs, Seven States Power can also offer generous discounts of up to $14,000 on the Chevy Bolt through an exclusive arrangement with General Motors, giving Seven States members a substantial incentive to invest in EVs. Research has shown that one of the fastest paths to EV adoption in a community is to normalize their use. By accessing the Seven States partnership with General Motors to add EVs to a fleet, LPCs can help drive awareness of EVs and facilitate EV adoption in their communities.

“Even in a rural market like ours,” says Jon Turner, manager of marketing and public relations for 4-County EPA, Columbus, Miss., “there’s a growing appetite for EVs. We thought we needed to start by educating ourselves and our members, so we worked with Seven States to purchase a Chevy EV through Seven States’ purchasing program and install a private charger at our office. Now is the time to move from the lagging side to the leading side on adoption of this technology and help push the Valley to the tipping point for EV growth.”

Having visible, publicly accessible EV chargers throughout a community can also help drive EV adoption by helping to alleviate concerns residents may have about running out of charge. “EV chargers aren’t a novelty anymore but we still need to educate communities. Seven States can help you identify your goals and figure out the best way to accomplish them,” adds Turner.

For more details on TDEC’s partnership with TVA, visit their website here .

University of Tennessee, Seven States Power, KUB Partner to Gain Valuable EV Insights

Mon, 12 Apr 2021 14:42:00 GMT

Four years ago, the University of Tennessee at Knoxville (UTK) launched a new initiative to help future corporate leaders bridge the divide between business and technical teams. The Heath Integrated Business and Engineering Program brings together students from the university’s Haslam College of Business and its Tickle College of Engineering to teach them how two very different sides of an organization can work together. In 2020, Seven States Power Corp. partnered with Knoxville Utilities Board (KUB) and students from the program to explore electric vehicle (EV) charger infrastructure on the UTK campus and ultimately, provide information that could aid in the formulation of a master plan for campus-wide EV charging.

What began as a casual conversation between Mary Pile, director of the Heath Integrated Business and Engineering Program, and Betsey Kirk McCall, president and CEO of Seven States Power, to find a project that Seven States could support will soon culminate with the installation of a new ChargePoint EV charger on the UT campus near the new Tickle College of Engineering.

“This was a student-led project. We teach our students how to look at the big picture to see how business and technical teams can work together to solve problems. We teach systems-thinking, communication skills, and problem-solving skills. For this project, our students set a goal of determining the need for additional EV chargers on campus and ultimately working with Seven States Power and KUB to bring a new charger to campus,” explained Pile.

Students began by accessing data collected by Chien-fei Chen, Director of Education and Diversity and Research Associate Professor for CURENT, who had surveyed more than 500 faculty, staff and students about their use of and interest in EVs and EV chargers. From there, the students worked with various campus departments, KUB staff, and the Seven States team to evaluate grid requirements, determine who the primary audience for campus chargers might be, and identify potential locations. Potential locations were then prioritized based on which campus programs had the most students, staff and faculty driving EVs as well as ease-of-access for tapping into existing electrical infrastructure, and finally, visibility of the chargers themselves. Visibility of the chargers became a key factor primarily to make sure drivers could easily locate a charger when needed, but also, as a means of helping the university highlight its commitment to sustainability.

While a few EV chargers already exist on campus, none offer the data-collection or revenue-generation capabilities of the ChargePoint dual-port charger provided by Seven States Power. Students, and others involved with this project, feel hopeful that once the new charger, which will be located in the Tickle College of Engineering parking lot in an easily accessible spot with high visibility along Neyland Drive goes live, they can begin collecting the necessary data to help the university develop a master plan for further charger installations.

“Our students have really enjoyed working on a project with such tangible results,” said Pile. “Working with Seven States allowed us to go beyond a theoretical concept to solve a problem with the potential for long-term benefits to our campus. Seven States has been extremely supportive and everyone on the team, along with the staff of KUB, have been great about providing any information we needed. They were great to work with…always available to answer questions. I would definitely recommend working with Seven States on this type of project to anyone who has the opportunity.”

Seven States Power Corp. Names Vice President of Partnerships and Project Development

Thu, 01 Apr 2021 20:41:00 GMT

Seven States Power Corp. welcomes James Ellis to the team as the company’s new vice president of partnerships and project development. Bringing more than 15 years of experience in sustainable transportation and clean energy projects, Ellis now holds responsibility for establishing and executing the company’s strategy for electrification and building Seven States Power’s significant collaborations.

Starting work on April 1, 2021, Ellis joins Seven States at an opportune moment to help local power companies achieve their EV-charging and clean energy goals. With more funding becoming available through state and federal programs, the potential for a rapid expansion of EV infrastructure is ripe. And Ellis believes the Tennessee Valley has a prime opportunity to lead the nation in EV adoption.

Seven States Power Launches as Independent Energy Solutions Company

Thu, 25 Feb 2021 02:48:00 GMT

Seven States Power Corporation’s board of directors cast a significant vote today for our energy solutions company. After three years of exponential increases in demand for project management services by the Tennessee Valley’s local power companies (LPCs), the Seven States Power board of directors committed to growing the company by launching it as a self-reliant business with a dedicated staff under the leadership of President & CEO Betsey Kirk McCall. The change, effective this month, will enable Seven States Power to grow its services and compete for larger projects for the benefit of its member-owners, the electric power distributors in the Tennessee Valley.

With rapid change in the electric utility industry in recent years and even more on the horizon, Seven States Power, developed by TVPPA in 2007, is preparing for exponential growth. While our operations and governance have always been separate from TVPPA, we have shared staff. Three of those staff members will transition to Seven States Power in April. McCall will serve as president, Clint Wilson as senior vice president of engineering and market innovation and Steve Noe as vice president of sustainability and energy resilience. We will soon add a vice president of partnerships and project development to the team.

“The power industry is evolving more rapidly than ever before and consumer demand for innovative technologies and environmentally conscious energy solutions has reached a new level,” said Jeff Dykes, chairman of the Seven States Power board. “Seven States Power is focused on empowering its members to meet consumer demand in an evolving utility marketplace.”

Our team designs, develops and deploys energy solutions that enable power distributors to modernize and grow their business, meet the needs of existing customers and attract new ones, and ultimately benefit the communities they serve. We help member-utilities plan and build distribution-scale solar arrays, procure and install electric vehicle charging infrastructure, provide ways to manage power system demand, and deploy other advanced technologies such as battery storage. In 2020, Seven States deployed “Project Liftoff,” a combined technology project consisting of a solar canopy, battery storage and electric vehicle chargers installed at the U.S. Space & Rocket Center in Huntsville, Ala., in partnership with Huntsville Utilities.

“I am humbled by the opportunity to lead Seven States and this talented team of experts. Working collaboratively with our members, vendors and partners we can broaden our impact and accelerate the adoption of new technologies in the Tennessee Valley such that the benefits can be realized at a faster rate,” said McCall. “We are grateful for the opportunity to expand our reach and deliver the power of possibilities for a brighter tomorrow.”

Meet the Muscle: The Seven States Power Team

Thu, 25 Feb 2021 02:47:00 GMT

As the demands for Distributed Energy Resources (DER) and renewable energy options continue to increase throughout the Valley, so does the need for a trusted energy solutions advisor who can guide local power companies as they evaluate the range of innovative technologies and environmentally conscious energy solutions available to them.

The launch of Seven States Power Corporation as an independent, self-sustaining business means that members and their consumers now have access to a staff of three pros with extensive industry experience, dedicated full-time to the delivery of, cost-effective energy solutions.

Led by President & CEO Betsey Kirk McCall, the team is comprised of two engineers and a lawyer – each an experienced professional with in-depth knowledge of their area of expertise as well as extensive experience working with power distributors in the Tennessee Valley. Vice President of Sustainability & Energy Resilience, Steve Noe led last year’s Project Liftoff efforts, a collaboration between Seven States Power Corporation, Huntsville Utilities and the U.S. Space and Rocket Center that combined solar generation with EV charging and battery storage for a the first-of-its-kind installation. Noe is currently engaged with local power companies in the development and deployment of solar generation including a unique solar generation partnership between Appalachian Electric Cooperative, New Market, Tenn., and Morristown Utilities Commission, Morristown, Tenn.

With more than two decades of experience in the public power industry, Senior Vice President of Engineering & Market Innovation, Clint Wilson leads Seven States Power’s efforts related to emerging technologies, research and innovation. He manages the load curtailment, aggregation and demand response programs as well as a new electric ride-through technology system.

Recently, Wilson has headed up efforts to create a roadmap for middle mile fiber connectivity which can empower local power companies in their efforts to improve operational efficiencies and reliability, and deliver affordable, high-speed fiber throughout the Valley.

McCall, who began driving the direction for Seven States Power just three years ago, has been recognized for setting Seven States Power on a structured and focused course. The first woman to lead an energy solutions company in the Tennessee Valley, she brings a strong background in contract law, negotiation and project management. By establishing a clarity of mission for Seven States Power with a focus on partnerships, McCall has empowered the rest of the Seven States team to deliver on robust product offerings including solar generation, EV charging infrastructure, load management systems, and middle mile fiber.

Over the past year, Seven States Power’s team has spent countless hours and miles on the road, in the midst of a pandemic, supporting LPCs in their quest to meet the demand for solar, battery storage, electric vehicles and charging options in their communities. By February of 2021, the team had supported the installation of over 80 new EV chargers in the Valley and helped in the delivery of new and innovative options for LPCs such as the new electric ride-through technology system.

As TVA provides a pathway for up to 5 percent self-generation of power through its Long-Term Partnership Agreement, and Seven States Power members continue to respond to their consumers’ demand for renewable and distributed energy resources, Seven States Power is working in tandem with both parties to deliver cleaner, greener energy to the Valley. As the only Valley-based energy solutions advisor, Seven States Power brings a deep knowledge of the region and an ability to tailor each project to the specific needs and challengers of its members. By acting as an extension of LPC staff, Seven States Power can take projects from research to implementation, delivering true “concept-to-completion” projects in the most cost-efficient manner that also allows LPCs to stay focused on their core business and keep their dollars in the Valley.

Ride-Through Technology Available to Members and their Industrial Customers

Mon, 11 Jan 2021 16:41:00 GMT

After hearing about the new electric ride-through (ERT) solution being offered by Seven States Power Corporation and technology partner RK Energy (RKE), Blue Ridge Mountain EMC’s Erik Brinke knew an ideal site for testing out the new technology which helps industrial customers protect against critical downtime events.

A wire extrusion manufacturer with multiple facilities producing a variety of cables from small security cables to large primary feed electrical conductors with a long history of numerous power fluctuations each year offered an ideal location for demonstrating the ability of RKE’s electric ride-through solution.

In late 2020, our team brought RKE and their mobile test unit to the manufacturing site in Georgia. The on-site demonstration illustrated how ERT can help protect the company’s manufacturing process against voltage sags and single-phase events that disrupt power and cause shut-down faults on the variable speed drives (VSD) that control motors in the wire extrusion process.

RKE’s mobile test unit provided the appropriate equipment to connect to a VSD controlling a 100hp extruder motor selected by the industrial customer. A series of three tests were performed, using the AC input panel breaker to disrupt power, simulating a full three-phase power loss. A logging meter and time-stamped video captured the entire process, showing the power disruptions and the time durations required to ride through a reclosure event and for backup generators to come online.

The demonstration showed the ability of the ERT solution to maintain normal VSD operation during both short and prolonged disruptions. By maintaining a stable power source to VSDs on their manufacturing lines, the test facility would gain the ability to reduce costly scrap and downtime caused by routine power fluctuations that affect their bottom line.

To learn more about ERT solutions and how they can help industrial customers in your service area reduce downtime and lower their power consumption, contact Seven States Power’s Vice President of Engineering & Energy Innovations, Clint Wilson .

Board to Vote on Middle Mile Fiber Expansion

Mon, 11 Jan 2021 16:34:00 GMT

During a special called meeting of the Seven States Power board of directors on January 28, 2021, the board will decide whether we will move forward with Phase Two of plans to build a Middle Mile Network. The goal of the Middle Mile Network project is to build a lit, interconnected fiber network across the Tennessee Valley by leveraging the existing assets of local power companies (LPC) and building connections between systems. With access to high-speed fiber, LPCs can benefit from operational efficiencies and improved reliability through enhanced communication and data collection which in turn can be used to help with load management. Additionally, an interconnected network can allow LPCs to more cost-effectively launch a broadband platform by tapping into headend infrastructure outside their own territory.

Our staff has been working with industry partner CTC Technology & Energy on a feasibility study, business plan, and high-level network design based on information gathered from a member survey, in-depth interviews with members, and GIS data. The information was used to create a detailed map of existing fiber networks.

If approved by the board, Phase Two of the Middle Mile Network project would leverage LPC fiber optic infrastructure to build connections between existing networks. Ultimately, about 3,900 miles of fiber would connect LPCs across the Tennessee Valley and bring high-speed fiber access to rural and underserved communities.

To learn more about Seven States Power’s Middle Mile Fiber project, contact Vice President of Engineering & Energy Innovations, Clint Wilson .

Solar Solutions Now More Accessible than Ever with Seven States Power

Mon, 11 Jan 2021 16:27:00 GMT

What began with a request to help Knoxville Utilities Board evaluate renewable energy sources in their operations has quickly become one of our most in-demand services. Offering a full-range of solar consulting services, Seven States Power provides local power companies (LPCs) with the necessary expertise to navigate the entire process of developing a solar project, from evaluation to execution. Access to this kind of knowledge and experience can be especially valuable to LPCs that do not have the staff or resources to pursue solar on their own.

“We know there are many LPCs who haven’t explored their options with solar generation yet because they’re not sure where to start,” says Steve Noe, Director of Strategic Energy Solutions for Seven States Power. “But we believe the benefits of solar energy are available to everyone and we can offer the right guidance and support for helping LPCs determine the best, most cost-efficient way to access those benefits.”

In addition to providing expert technical guidance to LPCs exploring solar generation, we now have an exclusive agreement with Chris Mitchell Consultants to work with member LPCs on rate analysis. Using interval data, Mitchell can help LPCs determine the value of a solar project and which type of project– from a PPA to a self-owned array provides the most cost-effective benefit to the LPC and its energy consumers.

“Every type of solar generation arrangement has benefits and complications. The value in working with Seven States Power lies in having a team of experts who know what those benefits and challenges are based on the unique qualities each LPC brings to the table, from geography to staffing resources,” says Noe.

With the completion of Project Liftoff in Huntsville, Ala., plus six very different types of solar projects currently under contract or in negotiant — including a unique joint project between Appalachian Electric Cooperative and Morristown Utilities as well as Sevier County Electric System’s complex solar installation atop a closed landfill — our team continues to rapidly gain knowledge that will inform and advance the expertise we bring to every future consultation. To learn more about Seven States’ solar solutions, contact Steve Noe .

Expanded EV Charger Offerings Provide Members More Options

Mon, 11 Jan 2021 16:04:00 GMT

In December, Seven States Power expanded our relationship with Clipper Creek to improve access to their competitively priced Level 2 chargers. The partnership enables us to provide Clipper Creek products, expert installation services and expedited shipping, all for a competitive price.

The Clipper Creek partnership complements Seven States Power’s long-standing partnership with ChargePoint for its commercial, industrial and residential EV chargers.

“With the growing EV market comes a demand for charging infrastructure; load growth will follow,” says Rains.

Despite the impact of COVID-19 on communities across the Valley, Rains oversaw 50 EV charger installations for members in 22 communities across the Valley in 2020. An additional 9 projects representing 29 new installs are already planned for 2021. To learn more about Seven States’ EV charging solutions, contact Brad Rains .

Getting acquainted with electric vehicle charging technology just go easier for Seven States Power members interested in accessing the market. In addition to the industry-leading ChargePoint DC Fast and Level 2 chargers that have been a mainstay of our charger offerings and installed by dozens of members for consumer use in their communities, we now offer another product for members interested in becoming more familiar with the technology before building a deployment plan.

"Until now, Clipper Creek has offered a basic Level 2 EV charger for owner use, which some members have chosen as a means of gaining cost-effective access to the technology," said Brad Rains, Director of DER Deployments. "This year, Clipper Creek is offering a new product that allows the owner to process payment for consumer use - a service that has long been part of the ChargePoint line - so our members now have two terrific options for public use."

Seven States Now Offering RK Energy Ride-Through and Regenergy Products

Wed, 21 Oct 2020 15:15:00 GMT

Thanks to a Seven States Power partnership with RK Energy, our members with a large base of commercial and industrial clients (C&I) can now offer a new tool to help C&I customers protect against the risk of power interruptions. Companies that depend on intelligent technologies, like variable speed drives, are especially vulnerable to the risks of even a blink in their power supply. By one estimate, industrial and digital businesses lose up to $45.7 billion per year due to power interruptions.

RK Energy’s Ride-through-System (RTS) protects industrial customers, giving them the ability to successfully maintain normal operation of VSDs during short or prolonged power disturbances. This ability to maintain consistent power can help customers reduce costly scrap and downtime caused by multiple power fluctuations throughout the year.

RK Energy’s electric “Regenergy” system may also help industries reach sustainability goals. By recycling this otherwise wasted energy, traditionally burned off as waste heat on dynamic braking resistors, power consumption and peak motor loads are reduced. By lowering power consumption and the peak motor loads, industrial customers may come closer to achieving long-term carbon neutrality initiatives and help reduce total load for local power companies.

To learn more about this exciting technology partnership between Seven States Power and RK Energy, as well as special pricing options for Seven States members, contact Clint Wilson .

Seven States Leads the Way in Preparing for an EV Revolution

Wed, 21 Oct 2020 14:16:00 GMT

A surge in electric vehicle (EV) production is coming and Seven States Power leads the way in helping local power companies and communities throughout the Tennessee Valley establish a foothold in this exciting space.

Over 18 months, we have installed 64 EV chargers in the Valley. Over 20 of those have been installed since June of this year, with many more scheduled for installation this fall. Spring and summer installations included:

In addition to managing a busy installation schedule, Brad Rains, Seven States Power’s director of DER deployments participated in Drive Electric Tennessee’s first-ever Driving EV Leadership event in Johnson City, Tenn., on September 29. The event, which was open to the public was hosted by Drive Electric Tennessee, the East Tennessee Clean Fuels Coalition, and the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation (TDEC) in celebration of Drive Electric Week.

TDEC Commissioner David Salyers spoke of Tennessee Governor Bill Lee’s commitment to building a robust transportation infrastructure to connect rural and urban communities in the state and the role EV technology can play in that. He also noted how EV technology can create economic opportunity and keep fuel dollars in the state.

About the event, Rains said, “Seven States plays a key role in building the EV infrastructure, not only in Tennessee but across the entire Tennessee Valley, that is critical to increased EV adoption. We wanted to show our support to Drive Electric Tennessee as they work to build awareness of electric vehicles in this part of Tennessee.”

Annual Meeting Underscores Renewable Energy Mission

Wed, 21 Oct 2020 14:10:00 GMT

Our members celebrated the Seven States Power’s achievements over the past year during the annual meeting at the U.S. Space & Rocket Center in Huntsville, Ala., on Thursday, October 1. The annual meeting offered both in-person and virtual attendance, with more than 100 members and their families and guests coming together in person in Huntsville. Seven States Power President & CEO, Doug Peters opened the meeting which was then led by Seven States’ vice chair, Jim Farrell of Jackson, Tenn., Energy Authority.

Astronaut Dr. Don Thomas, who served on four shuttle missions, was the keynote speaker. He spoke about the perseverance required to accomplish goals and also shared the important role energy, in particular solar energy, has played in space flight and exploration.

Following Thomas’s inspiring speech, members voted on business items including approval of a bylaw change that clarifies a quorum of the membership as a whole shall be present for all Director elections. The change also streamlines and consolidates the provisions relating to the Board election process. The members elected two new board members and re-elected six. Erik Brinke was selected to replace Jeremy Nelms in the Southeastern District and Terry Wimberley will replace Jim Ferrell as the Western District representative. Ferrell served six years on the board (two full terms) and served in various leadership positions through the transition and growth of Seven States.

The real highlights of the meeting came when Seven States team members Betsey Kirk McCall, Clint Wilson, Steve Noe, and Brad Rains discussed how the team has carried out the Seven States Power mission to deliver innovative technology solutions and establish sustainable resources that aid in the economic viability of member-owned – and Seven States Power enabled – distributed generation and renewable energy projects across the Tennessee Valley.

The Seven States Power team has doubled the number of projects completed each year since 2018. In the past year, they logged more than 31,000 miles on the company’s hybrid Chevy Bolt travelling throughout the Valley to work on projects for 26 different local power companies. A total of 72 projects were completed with an additional 31 under contract and 48 more in the evaluation phase. Six local power companies have begun implementing solar generation projects with Seven States Power under TVA’s flexibility option. One of those projects is a unique shared solar array being brought online in a partnership between Appalachian EC, New Market, Tenn., and Morristown, Tenn., Utilities. Two additional LPCs are evaluating potential projects with Seven States. Project Liftoff, which was dedicated at the end of the meeting represents Seven States’ first completed solar installation.

Other successes include 64 completed EV charger installations including two DC-Fast Chargers with another 69 either under contract or in negotiation; two DER management systems being installed; and, three backup generator systems purchased for Volunteer Energy Cooperative, Decatur, Tenn.

The Seven States Power team also shared news about emerging products in their portfolio like battery storage, a middle-mile fiber network, cybersecurity and Electric Ride-Thru technology. The team discussed their role in a number of unique research projects with Tennessee Tech, the University of Tennessee and ORNL, and highlighted partnerships with the Tennessee Valley Corridor, Tennessee Advanced Energy Business Council, TenneSEIA and TVA.

The day closed out with the dedication and ribbon-cutting ceremony for the successful launch of Project Liftoff .

Project Liftoff Takes Flight

Wed, 21 Oct 2020 14:04:00 GMT

The sun shone brightly as officials from Seven States Power, the U.S. Space & Rocket Center (USSRC) and Huntsville Utilities cut the ribbon to open Project Liftoff on October 1 at the close of the Seven States Power Annual Meeting. Before a crowd of members and their families and guests; employees of Huntsville Utilities; and U.S. Space & Rocket Center staff, Space Center CEO Louie Ramirez; Huntsville Mayor, Tommy Battle; Huntsville Utilities CEO, Wes Kelley; Seven States Power EVP Betsey Kirk McCall; and Astronaut Dr. Don Thomas symbolically opened this groundbreaking solar-powered, EV charging station that utilizes battery storage for greater functionality. Project Liftoff serves as an educational exhibit about the United States’ space program’s use of solar power in space exploration.

“Project Liftoff reflects both the ingenuity and the collaborative effort that it took to break away from gravity and send rockets soaring toward the stars. Seven States set out to imagine the possibilities of bringing together three technologies solar energy, battery storage, and EV chargers – that would connect power generation to space exploration in a way that visitors could interact with the technology. Achieving this vision required the partnership and creativity of our partners, the U.S. Space & Rocket Center, and Huntsville Utilities,” said McCall.

The combination of solar power and battery storage will offer an economic assist to the USSRC by allowing them to offset energy usage by using the 30kW of electricity generated by solar power right in their parking lot. The USSRC, like so many businesses that depend on tourism, has been especially affected by the economic ravages of the COVID-19 pandemic. “We’ll also gain the benefit of having excess energy that it produces off its solar power which will help us reduce our cost of our electricity which is a very valuable thing for us as we’re working through all of our challenges as we go forward,” said the USSRC’s Ramirez.

In addition to helping the not-for-profit USSRC offset their energy costs, the Project Liftoff installation promises to help educate the thousands of visitors who pass through the center during a typical year about how solar power has enabled solar exploration, from the early solar panels that powered the Vanguard 1 satellite launched in 1958 to NASA’s current use of solar arrays to power everything from the Mars Rover to the International Space Station.

The outstanding results of the collaboration involved in bringing Project Liftoff to fruition also illustrates the power of partnership among the Tennessee Valley’s 153 local power companies. “It’s time we start integrating these technologies into our distribution systems and energy portfolios, and leverage them for the benefit of our customers,” said Kelley.

“As we enter into a new era with rapid developments in the distributed energy resources space, and the flexibility options afforded by TVA, knowledge-sharing and partnerships among local power companies can drive the kind of innovation that resulted in this first-in-the-Valley combined solar, battery and EV charger installation,” said McCall.

Photo Gallery: 2020 Annual Meeting and Project Liftoff Ribbon Cutting

Tue, 20 Oct 2020 21:37:00 GMT

KUB, TVA Honored for Transformative Work in Solar

Fri, 09 Oct 2020 12:32:00 GMT

Seven States Power member and board representative Knoxville Utilities Board (KUB) and Tennessee Valley Authority’s (TVA) Chris Hansen join the ranks of Facebook, Google, Volkswagen and a host of local power companies as Solar Champions according to Tennessee Solar Energy Industries Association (TenneSEIA). Both KUB and TVA, who are in good company with past recipients for their transformative work, were selected by TenneSEIA for the 2020 annual award which recognizes individuals or entities that demonstrate leadership in support of solar energy deployment in the region.

More than 250 people participated in TenneSEIA’s 3 ^rd Annual Tennessee Valley Solar Conference, which was held virtually this year, to hear insights and perspectives from a wide range of policymakers, industry participants, and utility leadership.

At the conclusion of the conference, TenneSEIA announced its selection of KUB and TVA’s Chris Hansen as winners of its 2020 Solar Champion Award. Both recipients were recognized for substantial contributions expanding solar in the region most recently through TVA’s Green Invest program, a renewable energy tariff that enables large customers to access renewable energy from new projects in the Valley.

KUB was recognized for participating in the program to secure 212 megawatts of new-to-the-grid solar power for its customers. KUB’s new investment in solar will generate an anticipated 465 million kilowatt-hours per year, an amount equal to approximately 8 percent of KUB’s annual electric load, the equivalent of powering 35,000 average homes.

“KUB’s meaningful commitment to the Green Invest program marked the first such agreement between TVA and a local power company,” said TenneSEIA Board Member Forrest Forster. “As other LPCs follow KUB’s leadership, TenneSEIA expects to see a substantial increase in solar demand across the Valley.”

“KUB is committed to sustainable practices that help ensure the well-being of our current and future customers,” said Gabriel Bolas, President and CEO of Knoxville Utilities Board. “As technologies advance, and the needs and desires of our customers change, we continue to listen and adapt. We appreciate TenneSEIA for recognizing that commitment and are happy to make solar energy more accessible to all of our customers.”

TVA’s Vice President of Origination and Renewables, Hansen was credited for his leadership role in the development of TVA’s portfolio of renewable options including the Green Invest program. TenneSEIA credits his work with helping local power companies (LPCs) leverage low-cost solar energy to meet customer needs and recruit new business.

“We were so excited to see our member and partner on solar deployment in the Valley recognized this way,” said Betsey Kirk McCall, executive vice president of Seven States Power. “Seven States was honored to participate in a panel discussion about the LPC solar market and contract flexibility during this year’s conference. We were in good company speaking with members, vendors, solar industry leaders, and indeed Solar Champions.”

TenneSEIA is the state affiliate for the national Solar Energy Industries Association and represents the interests of the solar energy industry in Tennessee. The mission of TenneSEIA is to promote the development of solar energy and complementary technologies, including storage, positioning the Tennessee Valley’s residents and businesses as leaders in clean energy deployment and economic development.

Seven States Power, Huntsville Utilities Break Ground on Solar Project at U.S. Space & Rocket Center

Fri, 28 Aug 2020 16:59:00 GMT

Seven States Power Corp., with partners the U.S. Space & Rocket Center, and Huntsville Utilities, broke ground on Thursday, August 27, for Project Liftoff. This new power supply flexibility project took months of planning and coordination between the three organizations. The first project of its kind in the Tennessee Valley, Project Liftoff will integrate solar power, battery storage, and electric vehicle (EV) charging with an educational exhibit for visitors.

The installation, located in the parking lot of the Davidson Center for Space Exploration, near the vertical Saturn V rocket, will help offset the Space & Rocket Center’s energy usage and offer convenience to the growing number of electric vehicle drivers with its EV charging station.

“Not only will the project help the non-profit Space & Rocket Center reduce their energy costs, but through the educational exhibit, we hope visitors will learn about the sustainable benefits of renewable energy both on earth and in space,” said Steve Noe, Director of Strategic Energy Solutions for Seven States Power.

“Project Liftoff came to fruition thanks to the new power supply flexibility options under TVA’s Long-Term Partnership Agreement,” added Betsey Kirk McCall, Seven States Power Executive Vice President for Market Strategy & Corporate Operations. “We hope Project Liftoff will serve as a model for the possibilities of partnership to the 153 local power companies we serve across the Tennessee Valley.”

Construction of the project is slated for completion in September with a grand opening during the Seven States Power annual meeting on October 1.

Tennessee Valley Virtual Summit Series Sponsored by Seven States Power

Thu, 06 Aug 2020 13:51:00 GMT

The 2020 Tennessee Valley Corridor’s Annual National Summit is being held virtually this year as a series of five free sessions. The Virtual Summit Series promotes initiatives to advance the TVC’s mission and to encourage on-going collaboration in energy, science, environment, space, national security and education. Seven States Power was honored to sponsor the July 30th session entitled “Public Power Fueling Economic Growth in the Tennessee Valley Corridor”.

The 90-minute webinar featured an introduction by Seven States Power’s Executive VP Betsey Kirk McCall and two keynote speakers, Jeff Lyash, CEO of the Tennessee Valley Authority, and Jeff Dykes, CEO of BrightRidge in Jonson City, Tenn. Following the keynote speakers, Greg Williams, General Manager of Appalachian Electric Cooperative, moderated a panel made up of Mike Bolin, VP at Knoxville Utility Board, Pete Owens, VP at Dollywood, Dr. Ozlem Kilic, Associate Dean of the University of Tennessee at Knoxville and Cindy Herron, VP at the Tennessee Valley Authority. Bert Robinson of the Tennessee Valley Authority opened the session and the guest speakers provided insights on the role that public power plays in attracting and supporting businesses in the Tennessee Valley Corridor.

Click below to see the session in full.

TN Clean Fuels Press Release: Tennessee Tech Unveils New DCFC Unit in Cookeville as Part of “EV Testbed” Project

Wed, 29 Jul 2020 18:45:00 GMT

On July 22, Tennessee Technological University (Tennessee Tech, or TTU) unveiled a new Direct Current Fast Charging (DCFC) station that will serve a U.S. Department of Energy -funded project started in 2019, as well as the greater Cookeville area. The unit was installed in a TTU parking lot along a busy corridor in Cookeville and will be the primary refueling site for an all-electric E450 shuttle bus that is part of the same DOE project. Lead project infrastructure partner Seven States Power Corporation managed the installation.

TTU was awarded and started that three-year DOE project last year, towards “developing an Electrical Vehicle (EV) Testbed in the 14-county ‘Upper Cumberland’ region of Tennessee.” The region is a largely rural area and includes a number of economically distressed counties (see map below). The grant’s Principal Investigator, Dr. Pingen Chen , is an Assistant Professor in TTU’s Department of Mechanical Engineering and has brought a diverse group of about 10 partners into the project.

One component of this multifaceted project is the installation of nine EV charging units throughout the Upper Cumberland region. The first of the nine EV charging units is the DCFC unit that was installed at 320 University Drive, Cookeville, TN 38501 . In the coming months, the remaining eight EV charging stations – all of which will be Level-2 stations – will be installed in select locations in the surrounding counties in the following cities: Lafayette, Carthage, Livingston, Byrdstown, Jamestown, Smithville, Sparta and Spencer.

Combined, they will produce the beginnings of a charging network for the entire region that has largely had no focused EV-development efforts within it to date. Once the project is completed, it will have produced a “proof of concept roadmap” for how other rural areas across the U.S. can follow suit and help accelerate their development of EV charging and growth in use.

Another facet of the project includes procuring five electrified vehicles, which include three Nissan Leafs , one all-electric E-450 passenger shuttle, and one plug-in hybrid F-250. “The three Nissan Leafs are ready to be used now for educational purposes, such as showcasing the value of electric vehicles through Ride and Drive or Show and Tell types of experiences specifically for our rural community,” said Dr. Chen. “Many times, in our state, we see plenty of EV opportunities and accessibility available in metropolitan cities, whereas rural communities are not prioritized. Our goal is to provide information, education, and a variety of EV experiences and opportunities for business leaders and community members to have access to this new automobile technology and to help inform their buying decisions.”

Project Liftoff Takes Flight

Tue, 21 Jul 2020 19:46:00 GMT

Months in the making, one of the Tennessee Valley’s first power supply flexibility project under TVA’s Long-Term Partnership Agreement launched earlier this month on a site adjacent to the Saturn V rocket on Huntsville, Ala.-based U. S. Space & Rocket Center’s campus. The project, dubbed Project Liftoff by partners Huntsville Utilities, the space center and Seven States Power, will integrate solar, battery storage, EV chargers and an educational exhibit for visitors.

“This project integrates three technologies that will be used by the non-profit space center to offset their energy usage and conveniently serve the growing number of EV-driving visitors while also demonstrating, via an educational kiosk, how sustainable renewable energy is beneficial both on earth and in space,” said Seven States Power’s Steve Noe, director of strategic energy solutions. “As the energy marketplace continues to change and the demand for renewables grows, the educational exhibit will serve to create greater understanding of the technologies and their benefit to the people of the Tennessee Valley.”

Project Liftoff consists of a solar canopy by LightWave Solar that spans six parking spaces and is expected to generate 41,000 kWh/year of solar energy, a battery station rated at 11.4 kWh to store the solar generation, and two Level 2 electric vehicle chargers by ChargePoint, each with dual ports for charging. The installation will be located in the main guest parking area adjacent to the Saturn V rocket and the space center’s new entrance.

“Huntsville Utilities is excited to be amongst the first to launch a power flexibility project with Seven States that will enhance the U.S. Space & Rocket Center – a global tourist attraction located within our service area. Powering the home of Space Camp is truly a unique honor and executing Project Liftoff which adds a solar canopy, battery and EV chargers coupled with an educational component will complement the rich experience already available at the Rocket Center,” said Wes Kelly, president and CEO of Huntsville Utilities. “Partnering with TVA to provide flexibility options to consumers is critical to the success of the project as Huntsville Utilities continues to strengthen partnerships and relationships throughout the Tennessee Valley.”

In July, Huntsville Utilities began preparing the Project Liftoff site for connection to its distribution grid, and construction of the assets is scheduled for completion in mid-to-late September. The flagship project will be a showcase at the Seven States Power annual meeting held Oct. 1 at the U.S. Space & Rocket Center.

Flexibility: Better Together

Fri, 17 Jul 2020 19:22:00 GMT

More than two years ago, the Seven States Power board of directors charted a new course, one where our energy services company would help members meet demand for renewable solutions. Now, as local power companies usher in a new era of distribution-level power supply flexibility through TVA’s Long-Term Partnership Agreement, we are uniquely positioned to help them achieve their goals.

“Time and again, the old adage that “when we work together everyone achieves more,” has proven true for the 154 local power companies in the Valley. said Seven States Power EVP Betsey Kirk McCall. “At Seven States Power we are leveraging the combined experiences and best practices of our member-owners and pulling from a deep well of technical knowledge and economies of scale to help them build for their future. Best of all, our efficient, creative and cost-effective services are keeping the resources, investment and expertise within the Valley.” Structured as a generation & transmission cooperative, Seven States is member-owned by the local power companies (LPCs) in the Valley, so the experience and revenue gained from each project extends to the benefit of the members.

When TVA distributed a revised Power Supply Flexibility Agreement in late June, our staff had already begun working with members to install renewable technologies. While some LPCs are just beginning to explore carbon-free or carbon-neutral technologies, others have been working with us for months in preparation for a summer project launch.

Several of our members are planning installation or expansion of solar coupled with large scale battery storage to maximize the operation and value of the solar array. Combined heat and power projects are in the early stages of development in Tennessee and Mississippi, one for an industrial customer and the other for a wastewater treatment facility.

“We are excited to see Seven States growing because we can complement each other as we get things going,” said Doug Perry, TVA’s senior vice president of commercial energy solutions. “We need to see more distribution-scale solar, and the Seven States team has the ability to work with LPCs to bring information, lessons learned, and support that will help them make the best decisions for the customers of the Valley.”

Perry noted that Seven State Power’s expertise in disciplines like commercial engineering, grid connection, contracts, project management and maximizing economies of scale can help LPCs that partner with the energy service company. He lauded the formation of Seven States Energy, LLC, to leverage tax incentives, own assets, and to complete member projects effectively and efficiently. According to Perry, about a dozen LPCs throughout the Valley have distribution-scale generation projects underway.

When recently asked about Seven States Power’s role as a vehicle for LPCs pursuing distribution-level flexibility projects, Appalachian Electric Cooperative General Manager Greg Williams said, “When I think of the words innovative technology and flexibility, Seven States comes to mind because those two things come together in the new world we live in. A few weeks ago, we didn’t have this capability or the opportunity to go out and generate our own electricity. We do today, and what better vehicle to do that than through turnkey projects with our own company, Seven States? It’s a better solution for the Valley.”

Fiber Enables SVEC to Go the Extra Mile

Fri, 26 Jun 2020 19:31:00 GMT

Eighty years ago, Sequachee Valley Electric Cooperative improved the lives of residents in the Sequatchie Valley by bringing electricity to their communities. Today, SVEC continues to meet the essential service needs of the communities it serves and exceed expectations with the introduction of SVEConnect, the co-op’s high-speed triple play Internet, television and phone service.

“In real estate, it’s all about location,” said Mike Partin, President and CEO of SVEC, “but in our business it’s all about relationships. Our customers know they can depend on us to deliver reliable electricity service, so it was on us to find the right partners we could depend on to help us deliver a dependable, high-speed broadband product to our customer.”

Due to the proximity of their communities, Partin and the SVEC team were familiar with Chattanooga EPB and the gig-speed Internet and cable TV service they’ve provided to the city of Chattanooga and surrounding areas since 2010. The availability of middle mile fiber connectivity linking Chattanooga and the Sequatchie Valley paired with Chattanooga EPB’s reputation for consistently reliable service made them an optimal choice to partner with as a provider for SVEC’s new service according to Partin.

SVEC chose to first roll the product out to businesses and industry in parts of their service area that already had access to Internet service from other providers, knowing that they could leverage their existing relationships with these customers who already trust SVEC as their electricity provider. They further utilized federal and state grants from the Appalachian Regional Commission to extend the project into underserved rural residential areas and currently serve approximately 35% of their existing customer base.

“The value of bringing high-speed Internet service to rural areas in the Tennessee Valley cannot be overstated. What we call middle mile connectivity – fiber linking community to community – can change lives by providing everyone, no matter where they live, with access to education, remote work opportunities, telehealth options, and connections to the larger world. Projects like this one bringing broadband from Chattanooga to the Sequatchie Valley will become increasingly common as we continue to build out this type of fiber network,” says Betsey Kirk McCall, executive vice president of Seven States Power Corporation.

Partin has advice for other co-ops that might be looking to get into the Internet business. First, he says to choose dependable partners who share the same values. When building out the telephone service portion of their triple play option, Partin identified telecom veterans who shared the same customer-focused vision that has become a hallmark of SVEC’s brand and recruited them to help lead that team. Next, he says to be reasonable about expectations for the new business line. Although SVEC routinely achieves 90% customer satisfaction, they set their initial take-rate goal at just 30% of their existing customer base. Finally, he offers a reminder not to scrimp on marketing your new product. Electricity sells itself, but “you can’t build a $30M broadband network and think you can spend $500 on advertising it.’

New Research Includes Integration of Batteries

Wed, 13 May 2020 16:59:00 GMT

Battery storage. It isn’t typically something to get powered up about, but as the Seven States Power team recently discovered, there are some exceptions.

Our team recently received three 13.5 kwh batteries from EPB in Chattanooga for use in our Smart Grid Lab and installed one on each phase of electrical service at our headquarters.

“Most energy storage providers are focused on large grid-scale batteries or small residential batteries. We’re interested in understanding energy storage for our many small and medium businesses,” explained Lance Irwin, EPB’s Director of Energy Solutions Technology. “Seven States Power’s Smart Grid Lab is a great opportunity for our vendors and other LPC’s to learn from a real-world application.”

The units are flat, wall-mounted lithium-ion batteries that store electricity for solar self-consumption, time of use load shifting, backup power, and off-the-grid use. The modular system offers the flexibility to add multiple batteries for homes or businesses with high energy demands. Part of the testing with the manufacturer is a new load forecasting function that will automatically dispatch the batteries for optimal cost savings based on the building load and the electricity rates.

“In our laboratory, we will test how the batteries work, how well they perform, and how these batteries compare to other products on the market,” said Steve Noe, director of strategic energy solutions. “Battery storage will be an integral part of microgrids in the future, so we’re particularly interested in how it combines with technologies that could be used as a microgrid and how well it integrates into the DER Management System (DERMS).”

Our load management simulation laboratory is designed to integrate technologies that could benefit our members, show how DERMS software works in real time, and to explore the capability it offers those seeking to manage costs by filling valleys and shaving peaks.

The next phase of our Smart Grid Lab development includes the addition of load forecasting capabilities and controllable lighting.

Schedule a Tour

Laboratory tours will be available when COVID-19 restrictions are lifted and it is deemed appropriate to reopen our offices. Please contact any of our team members to schedule a tour of the lab, or email us at info@7spc.com .

Seven States Announces Sponsorship of 2020 TenneSEIA Solar Conference

Mon, 20 Apr 2020 18:31:00 GMT

Seven States Power Corporation returns as a support partner sponsor for the 2020 Tennessee Valley Solar Conference hosted by TenneSEIA (Tennessee Solar Energy Industries Association).

The conference will be held on Wednesday October 7, 2020 in Franklin, Tenn. at the Embassy Suites, Nashville at Cool Springs. Seven States executive vice president of market strategy and corporate operations Betsey Kirk McCall will participate on the event’s flexibility panel.

Seven States members who attend the event will receive 25% off the conference fee.

“We are pleased to partner with TenneSEIA on this event, bringing together thought-leaders and innovators from across the field of solar technology, for our third consecutive year,” says McCall. “Seven States continues to see the impact of Tennessee’s growing solar energy industry. We look forward to seeing many of our members and partners at this conference in the fall.”

Subsidiary Formed to Maximize Member Opportunities

Fri, 17 Apr 2020 20:27:00 GMT

Seven States Power Corporation will be able to provide an even higher level of service to its members thanks to the formation of a subsidiary, Seven States Energy, LLC. The subsidiary will provide us flexibility to leverage tax incentives and provide other resources that aid in the economic viability of member-owned – and Seven States enabled – distributed generation and renewable technology projects across the Tennessee Valley.

“We timed the creation of our LLC subsidiary to align with the ‘flexibility’ offerings of TVA’s Long-Term Partnership Agreement which are planned to be available to ‘Valley Partners’ this summer,” said Betsey Kirk McCall, executive vice president of market strategy and corporate operations. “In today’s economic environment, the subsidiary will help our members realize a return on their investment faster.”

McCall stated Seven States Power was formed in 2007 as a generation and transmission (G&T) cooperative for the purpose of owning the Southaven combined cycle natural gas plant and selling its output to TVA under a power purchase agreement. In 2018, years after the company sold the plant to TVA, Seven States Power redefined its role as an energy solutions company. Focused on renewable and emerging energy technologies, company leaders discovered the G&T structure limited its ability to own the assets and leverage the tax credits needed to help members meet consumer demand for new technologies. A three-year business plan was developed for Seven States Power and in December 2019, the company’s board of directors approved the formation of a subsidiary and by the end of February 2020, the Seven States Energy, LLC was formed.

“Consumer demand for renewables is on the rise, and this subsidiary provides additional opportunities for our members,” said Clint Wilson, vice president of engineering and energy innovations. “Through Seven States Energy, LLC, and our turnkey project management, we are better positioned than ever before to help members realize the full potential and value of their renewable technology investments,” said McCall.”

Smart Grid Lab Offers Loads of Information

Fri, 17 Apr 2020 19:20:00 GMT

Seven States Power is building a load management simulation laboratory that will enable us to show members how DER Management System (DERMS) software works in real time, and to discuss the capabilities it offers those seeking to manage costs by filling valleys and shaving peaks. The first of a four-phase development is complete, with a full-scale build-out scheduled for completion next year.

The simulation laboratory will be used to perform research and demonstrate various integrated technologies. The first phase of development completed in March 2020 included the installation of DERMS software, and the integration of a water heater control switch and Leviton Nest, Ecobee and Honeywell smart thermostats. An EV charger, the building’s electricity meter, and smart plugs controlling receptacle loads have also been integrated into the system. The building meter will simulate load from a distribution feeder.

The integrated distributed energy resources will allow operators to demonstrate device control within the Seven States Power building, which is shared with TVPPA. DERMS will enable operators to access the Aggregated Demand Response (ADR) program to observe performance and functionality.

The next phase of lab development includes the addition of load forecasting capabilities, battery storage and controllable lighting.

Schedule a Tour

Four New Members Confirmed

Fri, 17 Apr 2020 18:11:00 GMT

In just over a year, the boards of directors for four local power companies have confirmed their commitment to Seven States Power Corporation by passing a resolution of membership. In 2019, Alabama’s Scottsboro EB and Tennessee’s Jellico Electric & Water Systems joined, and in recent months Alabama’s Franklin EC and Russellville EB confirmed membership, bringing to 133 the total number of Seven States Power members. Each of the companies paid dues when the electric cooperative was formed in 2007 but only recently completed the membership resolution.

Membership in Seven States Power provides access to turnkey solutions on all of the innovative products and services offered through the cooperative. It also offers access to research on new and emerging technologies and special pricing on renewable energy assets such as backup generators and electric vehicle (EV) chargers through preferred vendors.

Local power companies in the Tennessee Valley that are unsure of their membership status or would like information on how to complete the membership process are invited to download a sample resolution and contact us at info@7SPC.com .

Cybersolution Coming in 2020

Wed, 08 Apr 2020 17:59:00 GMT

Opening our members to a world of distributed energy resources (DERs) – solar, EVs and battery storage just to name a few – and offering a system to manage the connected devices (DERMS) has been a primary focus of our team over the last two years. As our members deploy more DERs and enjoy greater flexibility to build distributed generation assets, it is becoming increasingly important that together we recognize both the opportunities and risks associated with each new grid-connected device.

Each interconnection that communicates openly across the grid creates an entry point for potential hackers on the network. That is why we are working with national experts to understand vulnerabilities, qualify potential vendors and develop a turnkey cybersecurity solution to protect the integrity of systems across the Valley.

“In partnership with APPA and NRECA, we are sharing information about vendors and learning about distribution-level products and services,” said Clint Wilson, vice president of engineering and energy innovations. “Through the collective wisdom of these national organizations, our peers nationwide and our members here in the Tennessee Valley, we are working to develop the most effective solutions for protecting member assets, systems, and ultimately the consumers they serve.”

Seven States Power expects to launch a robust cybersecurity program later this year. Meanwhile, through our partnership with the national associations, we are designing educational materials and other tools to help our members discover their system vulnerabilities and understand how to protect against them.

For more information, please contact Clint Wilson at cwilson@7spc.com or 423-531-0547.

Partnership Yields Place for McCall on ORNL SecCom Industry Advisory Board

Wed, 08 Apr 2020 14:43:00 GMT

In much the same way that DER devices are connecting consumers to the electrical grid, a partnership established with the U.S. Department of Energy-funded Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) in September 2019 is connecting us to a network of technology partners and a world of possibilities. Last fall, when ORNL leaders participated in our annual meeting held at their site just outside of Knoxville, Tenn., it sparked both a relationship and an invitation to Seven States Power Corporation’s Betsey Kirk McCall to join the technology lab’s SecCom Industry Advisory Board.

SecCom stands for “secure communications,” and the advisory board studies and solves grid security challenges stemming from an ever-increasing number of interconnected devices. The board is helping identify solutions that ensure resilient, end-to-end or point-to-point communications for the nation’s electricity infrastructure. The advisory board, which consists of cybersecurity experts, community-owned and investor-owned power companies and ORNL scientists, is focused on enhancing the cyber-physical security of generation and transmission systems.

“Fiber, sensors, distributed energy resources and other assets are operating on open networks, and that’s not a sustainable model,” said McCall, executive vice president of Seven States Power. “The assets must be secure to benefit the grid and the user, and we are honored to be a trusted resource to the team and excited to bring the expertise of other technology experts back to our members.”

McCall added that the SecCom Industry Advisory Board is helping her team learn about vendors, solutions and potential pitfalls as they prepare to offer a turnkey cybersecurity solution for members across the Tennessee Valley. Her team is working with NRECA and APPA to share information, develop educational materials and define a robust cybersecurity program for Seven States Power members.

Chattanooga EPB is also represented on ORNL’s SecCom Industry Advisory Board. EPB, a Seven States Power member company, is actively involved in testing both infrastructure and advanced concept solutions.

New Home EV Charger Program is On Point

Fri, 03 Apr 2020 17:33:00 GMT

Seven States Power joined Amazon and Home Depot on an elite list of “power buyers” when in March it inked a deal with ChargePoint to purchase the company’s Home Flex electric vehicle chargers in bulk at discounted prices. The two mammoth retailers previously carried exclusive “Authorized Reseller” rights to ChargePoint’s residential products in the eastern U.S. Now, Seven States Power can leverage the buying power of local power companies across the Valley to purchase units for resale through local power companies.

“The burgeoning EV market offers significant opportunity for revenue growth for power companies,” said Brad Rains, Seven States’ Director of DER Deployments. “For two years we’ve been helping our members and community partners expand public EV charging infrastructure across the Tennessee Valley. Now, we can support our members’ role as a trusted resource for consumers by helping them build a residential charger program. It’s a financial win-win for our members and the people they serve.”

The Home Flex charger deal complements Seven States Power’s long-standing pricing agreement with ChargePoint for commercial and industrial EV chargers. ChargePoint EV chargers are among the most highly rated products on the market, and Rains said the ChargePoint equipment and user app make the charging experience easy and reliable.

Thanks to the below-market pricing pact, Rains oversaw 37 EV charger installations for members in 12 communities across the Valley in 2019 alone. Though most installation projects are temporarily suspended due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the corporation has an additional 28 projects representing 66 new installs slated for 2020.

While public chargers are becoming more widely available for brief daytime recharging, Rains said the best and most economical way to charge an EV battery is at home over a longer period of time. He said one car charging overnight will use more power than a typical heat pump over the same period of time, adding “it represents electrification at its finest.”

Thank You

Tue, 24 Mar 2020 21:11:00 GMT

Each quarter, Seven States Power shines a spotlight on a member who has been on the cutting edge of innovation in the power industry. In light of COVID-19, we would like to spotlight all our members during this unprecedented and difficult time of operating utility systems during a health pandemic.

Thank you to all our members for putting the health and safety of their communities first.

Thank you to all our members for their ability to ensure reliable power is delivered to the people and industries in the Tennessee Valley in the face of a crisis.

Thank you to all our members for the part they are doing to get us through this storm, as they always do.

Thank you to all our members for making the tough decisions and leading with strength during this time of uncertainty.

You inspire us.

Board Announces New Subsidiary, Communication Tools

Thu, 19 Mar 2020 15:39:00 GMT

The Seven States Power Corporation Board of Directors met on Tuesday, March 17, 2020. Meeting via teleconference in light of social distancing requirements related to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Board discussed a slate of issues that included the announcement of a new wholly-owned subsidiary. Seven States Energy, LLC was formed in Tennessee in support of Seven States Power Corp’s FY20 Strategic Framework. The new entity will provide members with a vehicle for pursuing flexibility in the Valley.

The Board also discussed recent accomplishments including the installation of thirty-seven EV chargers throughout the Valley and the completion of Phase 1 of an onsite Seven States Demo Lab at the Seven States Power Corp headquarters in Chattanooga. The launch of Project Lift Off, a joint technology partnership project with Huntsville Utilities and the U.S. Space & Rocket Center in Huntsville, Alabama was also on the Board’s agenda.

One of the final items announced during the meeting was the upcoming publication of a new electronic newsletter to deliver news and information to members. The newsletter format will feature video as a primary source of communications.

Seven States Power COVID-19 Statement

Wed, 18 Mar 2020 14:07:00 GMT

As the spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19) impacts the Tennessee Valley, the United States and countries around the world, Seven States Power is monitoring this evolving situation closely. Our top priorities are the health and safety of Seven States team members, and the support and service of our members, partners and vendors.

We have been following CDC-recommended social distancing practices and as of today, March 17, all Seven States Power staff will work remotely to do our part to prevent the spread of this disease. Meetings that would have normally been face-to-face will be conducted as teleconferences or webinars. While we may not be working in our office, we are always working for you – our members, partners and vendors. We will continue to serve and support you in the uncertain weeks ahead.

We thank you for your help and understanding as we take the necessary precautions for the well-being of our staff, members and the people of the Tennessee Valley. Be safe. Be healthy.

ENoveering: Intersection of Energy, Innovation & Engineering

Thu, 13 Feb 2020 17:41:00 GMT

Seven States Power Corporation is a place where energy, innovation and engineering come together. That is how Executive Vice President Betsey Kirk McCall described the energy solutions organization when she spoke at TVPPA’s All Member Meeting in Murfreesboro, Tenn. on Wednesday, Feb. 5. Seven States, which serves the same local power company members as TVPPA, is growing exponentially as it crisscrosses the Tennessee Valley designing, developing and deploying renewable energy technologies in partnership with its members.

“We don’t just talk about energy products and services, we listen to the needs of our members and provide real solutions,” said McCall as she displayed a map depicting where her team has completed turnkey procurement and installation of EV chargers, backup generation and DER management systems across the Valley. “It’s early in the ballgame and we are just getting started.”

McCall recapped Seven States’ 2019 performance highlights, which included:

Noting that Seven States’ funding source has an expiration date, she outlined a strategy for long-term viability. She said the organization is focused on delivering cost-effective technology solutions to its members, investing in and learning from significant research that it can apply when designing solutions, and leveraging strategic partnerships to provide technologies to members at the lowest possible cost.

McCall discussed several successful projects that occurred in 2019, including one with Sevier County Electric System that involved the installation of electric vehicle chargers at Dollywood amusement park and DreamMore Resort. -Sevier County ES reported at the last Seven States board meeting that the company’s relationship with their customer was strengthened by the joint project.

“That’s when it hit us. We were experiencing in real time the fulfillment of the Seven States mission,” said McCall. “We empower our members to respond to customer demand for renewable energy in an evolving marketplace.”

Looking towards 2020, in its ongoing effort to empower members to meet the energy demands of the future, McCall announced the company is expanding its offerings to include solutions related to solar, cyber security and interconnected fiber.

She reported that Seven States is building a network of leading edge, innovative companies with which to create partnerships and conduct significant research, including Tennessee Advanced Energy Business Council and Tennessee Technological University. Seven States featured Randy Boyd, Interim President of the University of Tennessee as keynote speaker at its 2019 Annual Meeting held at Oak Ridge National Laboratory. The U.S. Space and Rocket Center in Huntsville, Ala., will be the site of this year’s Annual Meeting, held Oct. 1-2, 2020.

Seven States Board Elects New Leadership

Mon, 16 Dec 2019 14:19:00 GMT

The Seven States Power Corp. Board of Directors will head into 2020 with a new leadership team.

Meeting Dec. 10 at Seven States’ Chattanooga office, the corporation’s directors elected Jeff Dykes, CEO at Johnson City, Tenn. based BrightRidge, to a one-year term as chairman. Jim Ferrell, chief executive at Jackson, Tenn., EA, was elected vice chairman and Keith Carnahan, CEO at Meriwether Lewis EC, Centerville, Tenn., was elected secretary/treasurer.

Dykes took the reins at BrightRidge, then Johnson City PB, at the end of 2012. He’s also served as chief executive at Newport, Tenn., UB and Elizabethton, Tenn., ED. He holds an undergraduate degree from Milligan College and succeeds Rody Blevins of Volunteer EC, Decatur, Tenn., as Seven States chairman.

Ferrell succeeds Greg Fay of Clinton, Tenn., UB as Seven States vice chairman. Ferrell has been the chief executive at Jackson EA since March 2012 and has logged nearly 33 years at the utility, where he’d served previously as systems engineer, operations superintendent, vice president and senior vice president.

Carnahan is in his fourth year as CEO at Meriwether Lewis EC, having served previously on the cooperative’s board of directors. He earned an undergraduate degree in electrical engineering at Tennessee Tech University and an MBA from Bethel University. Carnahan takes over for Ferrell as the Seven States secretary/treasurer.

Seven States’ directors also elected Phillip Chaney of Scottsboro, Ala., EPB to represent the Alabama District. Chaney has worked at Scottsboro EPB for 21 years and has been the utility’s manager since mid-2015. He succeeds the retiring Richard Morrissey of Florence, Ala., Utilities on the Seven States board.

Seven States Executive Vice President Betsey Kirk McCall said the staff “truly appreciates the strong leadership and service of our directors,” past and present.

“We look forward to an exciting and productive 2020,” McCall said.

Robbins on Dollywood: ‘They call us’ with Energy Questions

Thu, 12 Dec 2019 21:30:00 GMT

Sevier Co., Tenn., ES isn’t trying to be the go-to energy advisor for its area’s sprawling Dollywood complex.

That’s because the utility has already earned that privilege.

“It’s all about relationships,” said Sevier Co. ES Superintendent Allen Robbins, one of the newest members of the Seven States Power Corp. Board of Directors.

“Dollywood used to pay a power bill,” Robbins said. “Now we have a relationship.”

That relationship, Robbins said, is built on a pair of ChargePoint electric vehicle (EV) chargers. The utility leveraged discount pricing available through Seven States to buy the chargers, then installed them at Dollywood’s DreamMore Resort.

“We don’t do a very good job of telling our stories sometimes,” Robbins said. “We went to the [Dollywood] owners looking for a partnership – a way to tell our story to millions of people who visit Dollywood every year.”

Robbins said the chargers were barely plugged in before Dollywood visitors started using them. The partnership has gone so well that Dollywood called on Sevier Co. ES to help with the development of its new Wildwood Grove attraction, which opened this past spring. The utility has four ChargePoint units at Dollywood and plans to install three more elsewhere in its service territory.

“They’re now very excited to help us tell our story,” Robbins said of Dollywood. “Now, when Dollywood has any question about energy, they call us. They’re coming to us every step of the way for input.”

Seven States Executive Vice President Betsey Kirk McCall said helping Sevier Co. ES do what it’s done at Dollywood is at the core of Seven States’ mission.

“We’re pleased to offer energy solutions to our members that empower them to meet consumer demand in a changing marketplace,” she said, “and, in so doing, strengthen their relationships with their customers.”

Seven States’ Board Member, Mike Partin, elected to NRECA’s Board

Wed, 27 Nov 2019 17:38:00 GMT

Mike Partin, president & CEO at Sequachee Valley EC, South Pittsburg, Tenn., and recent addition to the Seven States Power Corporation Board has been elected to the NRECA Board of Directors.

Partin was elected Nov. 25 in Nashville, at the TECA Annual Meeting. He succeeds Tom Purkey of Middle Tennessee EMC, Murfreesboro, Tenn., who opted to stand down from the NRECA board.

“I thank my colleagues for their support,” Partin said. “I look forward to representing the cooperative members of Tennessee.”

Partin signed on at Sequachee Valley EC in 1998. He served for 12 years as the cooperative’s vice president for marketing and member services, then was promoted in 2010 to the post of chief operating officer. Partin took Sequachee Valley EC’s top job in January 2015, succeeding the retiring Bob Matheny.

Partin earned his undergraduate degree at Middle Tennessee State University and is also a graduate of NRECA’s management program at the University of Nebraska.

NRECA’s board is comprised of 47 individuals, one representing each state in which a voting member of that association is located. Partin joins Kevin Doddridge of Northcentral EPA, Olive Branch, Miss., in representing the Tennessee Valley on the NRECA board.

On the municipal side, the Valley is represented by APPA board members Jim Ferrell of Jackson, Tenn., EA; Todd Gale of Columbus, Miss., L&W and APPA Chairman Decosta Jenkins, the president & CEO at Nashville ES.

‘Disruption’, EV Panels Highlight Marketplace Forum

Wed, 27 Nov 2019 17:25:00 GMT

Southwest Airlines clearly believes that, when it comes to hiring and creating a solid workplace culture, one really does get out what one puts in.

“We believe in doing what’s right by our employees, so that they show their best selves at work,” Southwest executive Lacey Jeffrey told her audience at the 2019 Tennessee Valley Marketplace Forum, conducted Nov. 19-21 in Nashville, Tenn.

Jeffrey joined Glenn Allison of Tractor Supply Co. and Bryce Dalley of Facebook in a panel discussion on how to manage disruption and still keep the customer first. Jeffrey said her airline started disrupting its market years ago by relentlessly pursuing customer-first policies, which start with employees.

“It’s about safety, reliability and taking pride in award winning customer service,” she said. “You can hire for skill all day, but when you have 60,000 people representing one brand, you won’t get the service you want if everyone’s not aligned [with those values].”

Jeffrey’s remarks resonated with Seven States Power Corp. Executive Vice President Betsey Kirk McCall, whose company sponsored the Forum in conjunction with TVPPA and TVA.

“Employees and customers are not mutually exclusive groups,” said McCall, who co-emceed the event with TVA’s Dan Pratt. “They’re often one and the same.

“Employees who are also customers have a vested interest in positively reflecting the company brand to the public,” she said. “This has always been the case in the Tennessee Valley, where utility employees also are the customers of [the utility’s] products.”

Forum attendees also took in a panel discussion on electric vehicles (EVs); the participants were Jenny Dileo of Austin (Texas) Energy, Joel Levin of Plug-In America and Ryan Stanton of the Tennessee Department of Environment & Conservation (TDEC).

Brad Rains, who serves as Seven States’ manager of DER deployments and runs point on the corporation’s flourishing EV effort, said the panelists spoke with a single voice on the role electric utilities are likely to play in EV growth.

“Sales are going to grow because of the cars themselves,” he said. “Batteries will get cheaper to make. Range will increase. Cars will get less expensive to build and will have options more attractive to more drivers.

“We fit on the charging side – somebody’s going to have to charge all those EVs and, in our footprint, that’s the local power company selling that power. TDEC is looking to Seven States to be a leader and driving force in building and deploying a charging infrastructure,” Rains said.

Among the Forum’s several other highlights were a presentation from Chick-fil-A executive John Shackelford, who talked about how founder Truett Cathy’s “heart for people” was central to that company’s defining of its purpose and culture. TVA CEO Jeff Lyash closed the Forum with a presentation including the declaration that a “convergence of three things – digitalization, decarbonation and electrification” will be TVA’s primary drivers for the next 10 to 30 years.

Volkswagen to Build EVs in Chattanooga

Thu, 14 Nov 2019 22:38:00 GMT

Volkswagen of America began construction Nov. 13 on a Chattanooga, Tenn., plant at which it plans to build electric vehicles (EVs).

The German automaker opened its Chattanooga manufacturing facility in 2011. It plans to spend about $800 million on expanding that site, which would include a nearly 200,000-square-foot battery pack manufacturing plant.

Volkswagen’s aim is to make Chattanooga its North American assembly base for EVs. It plans to start building the I.D. Crozz in Germany and China before launching production in Chattanooga in 2022.

“Electric vehicles are the future of mobility,” said Scott Keogh, president and CEO of Volkswagen Group of America. “Volkswagen will build them for millions, not just for millionaires.

“This is a big, big moment for this company,” Keogh said.

It’s also a milestone for EVs in the Valley generally, said Seven States Power Corp. Executive Vice President Betsey Kirk McCall.

“We’re pleased to see Volkswagen invest in Chattanooga and the utility industry with the production of an EV,” McCall said.

Pay ‘Sticker’ for LEAF, Bolt? Not With Seven States

Wed, 16 Oct 2019 20:29:00 GMT

If you’re looking to plug into an electric vehicle (EV), Seven States Power Corp. is your outlet.

Seven States Executive Vice President Betsey Kirk McCall has announced that Seven States members will be able to buy the 2020 all-electric Nissan LEAF PLUS for approximately $4,000 less than the sticker price. Seven States members will also be eligible to get the 2020 Chevrolet Bolt for about $8,000 off sticker, she said.

“Partnership is one of the three pillars on which Seven States stands and is growing,” said McCall, who’s driving a Seven States EV/charger program that is robust – and growing.

“The 2020 pricing on the LEAF PLUS is just the latest example of how our partnership with Nissan has resulted in measurable, material benefits for our members,” she said.

2019 Annual Meeting Photos

Thu, 10 Oct 2019 20:33:00 GMT

Seven States Meets at ‘Best National Lab’

Fri, 04 Oct 2019 17:36:00 GMT

In addressing the 2019 Seven States Power Corp. Annual Meeting, conducted at the Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Randy Boyd laid his cards squarely on the table. “I like to think that ORNL is the best national lab in this country,” said the University of Tennessee’s interim president, who delivered the keynote presentation at the Oct. 3 meeting.

Boyd’s assertion got an enthusiastic second from Seven States Executive Vice President Betsey Kirk McCall. The Annual Meeting, she said, sought to spotlight revenue, research and partnerships – the foundations on which “Seven States is building a business model that will sustain it long into the future.”

“Last year, we talked about electric vehicles and revenue at the Nissan manufacturing plant at Smyrna,” she said. “Having this year’s meeting at ORNL, including tours open to our members, allowed us to showcase the benefits of collaboration and research through partnerships. “Oak Ridge may have started out as a ‘Secret City,’ but ORNL is now truly everyone’s lab – in fact, a few of our members are doing project research [there],” said McCall, who announced that Seven States’ 2020 Annual Meeting will be at the U.S. Space and Rocket Center in Huntsville.

Attendees got a brief overview of ORNL from Tom King, who oversees the sustainable electricity program for the lab and UT-Battelle, the contractor that operates ORNL for the U.S. Department of Energy. The post-meeting tours offered by ORNL were well attended and, according to Guntersville, Ala., EB General Manager Jason Kirkland, more than worth the additional time. “Two words – innovative and unbelievable,” Kirkland said. “The technology they’re using here; it just left me almost speechless.”

In closing the meeting, BrightRidge CEO Jeff Dykes acknowledged that he and his counterparts are serving their constituents in uncertain times, but reminded them that they control their destinies. “It’s exciting, but scary these days,” he said. “We’ve got to change – a lot. But where we go as local power companies is really up to us. You’re doing great things, and we’re going to work closely with Seven States to change the way we do things here in the Valley.”

During the business meeting, Seven States Chairman Rody Blevins of Volunteer EC, Decatur, Tenn., was re-elected to the board. Blevins is scheduled to stand down as chairman in December, but remain on the board.

Seven States members also elected four new directors: Steve Hargrove of Sheffield, Ala., Utilities (Division 9); Jeremy Nelms of Blue Ridge Mountain EMC, Young Harris, Ga. (Southeastern District); Mike Partin of Sequachee Valley EC, South Pittsburg, Tenn. (Division 7) and Allen Robbins of Sevier Co., Tenn., ES (Appalachian District).

McCall concluded the meeting by presenting the 2019 Seven States Innovation Champion award to Jeff Cornett, ORNL’s manager of industrial partnerships and economic development. “I’d be remiss if I didn’t say a big ‘thank you’ to Jeff and everyone at ORNL for their amazing hospitality,” she said. “And it goes without saying that none of this could have happened without the attention to detail and time dedicated by the Seven States team.”

Seven States Joins TN Valley Corridor Leadership Council

Wed, 28 Aug 2019 21:01:00 GMT

Seven States Power Corp. has joined the Tennessee Valley Corridor’s (TVC) Leadership Council.

TVC is a regional economic development organization focused on supporting federal science and technology missions in the Valley, competing for new missions and leveraging these assets for private sector job development. TVC has built a strong alliance of community, business, education and government leaders throughout the Valley and Seven States is excited to be a part of it. The Leadership Council’s mission is to help TVC to promote the Tennessee Valley as one of the premier science and technology regions in the nation.

We are in good company on the TVC Leadership Council, joining other industry leaders such as Oak Ridge National Laboratory, TVA, the University of Tennessee, NASA and Tennessee Technological University.

Seven States Among DOE Grant Winners

Wed, 21 Aug 2019 20:15:00 GMT

Seven States Power Corp. is drawing attention for its efforts in the electric-vehicle (EV) arena. Over the last few months, they have assisted numerous members and partners with EV charger installations to help grow the EV charger infrastructure in the Tennessee Valley. This week they received news that they, along with a group of their strategic partners, won an EV-related grant from the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) to add even more chargers to the EV network.

Seven States- and strategic partners Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL), Nissan and ChargePoint- were joined by Tennessee Technological University, the University of Texas at Austin, Lighting Systems, East Tennessee Clean Fuels Coalition, the Upper Cumberland Human Resource Agency and Lyft in applying for the DOE grant.

The DOE project seeks to provide an alternative-fuel proof of concept in regions where those alternative fuels are not yet in play. The terms of the grant shared by the Seven States group call for Tennessee Technological University to receive $780,000 from the DOE; that money will be combined with additional matching funds, making the total value of the project $1.56 million. The grant funds will be used to develop an EV testbed in Tennessee’s Upper Cumberland region. This testbed will significantly grow the number of EV chargers available to owners of electric vehicles in the TN Valley.

As car dealerships introduce electric vehicles that are increasingly attractive and more affordable, sales are growing. The “Electric Vehicle Sales Forecast and the Charging Infrastructure Required Through 2030” report published by the Edison Electric Institute projects that the number of electric vehicles on US roads by 2030 will reach 18.7 million up from 1 million at the end of 2018. With the increasing number of plug-in vehicles on the road, the need to build an EV charging infrastructure becomes more and more necessary.

“Seven States’ role is to provide the charging equipment and help facilitate installation of charging infrastructure,” said Seven States Vice President Betsey Kirk McCall. “We’re pleased to play a part in bringing EVs to the Upper Cumberland.

“As the energy-services landscape continues to shift, so does Seven States continue to grow. Sharing this DOE grant is an important milestone in Seven States’ development,” McCall said.

The Oak Ridge National Laboratory will play host to Seven States Power’s annual meeting Oct. 3, while ChargePoint and Seven States are partnering on a number of installations of EV chargers throughout the Valley.

Greeneville’s Carroll an Electric Vehicle Convert

Mon, 12 Aug 2019 20:45:00 GMT

Bill Carroll’s done more than see the future- he’s driving it. The longtime chief executive at Greeneville, Tenn., L&P loves fast, loud cars, but he’s now embraced electric vehicles. The former TVPPA chairman is a true believer, having been won over by a Nissan LEAF. “I didn’t want to like the car,” Carroll said. “I thought (electric vehicles’) were slow, useless and unreliable- but they are none of those.”

Carroll said he decided a year ago that EVs were coming “whether I like it or not,” so he started doing his homework. “If one of our customers wants an HVAC system, they’re going to ask us because we are their trusted energy advisor,” he said. “If I want our customers to come to us in the future with their EV questions, we need to know the answers to those questions.”

So Greeneville L&P took advantage of special terms available to TVPPA and bought a LEAF in March. Carroll said his conversion was nearly immediate. “It has very good acceleration and is fun to drive- and I didn’t expect that,” he said. “When you get it out on the interstate, it’s about 3.8 miles per kilowatt-hour- which is the equivalent of more than 125 miles per gallon.” “So it’s quiet, has no emissions and is cheap to drive,” he said.

“There’s work to be done on infrastructure, but my humble opinion is that when batteries can do 400 miles to 500 miles on a 15-minute fast charge, it’s ‘game over’ for gasoline engines.”

Greeneville L&P has gone all-in with EVs- the utility has a charger at its headquarters and plans to have two more chargers in place in August at the Truck Stops of America/IHOP location at exit 36 off Interstate 81. And Carroll is partnering with California-based Electric Car Guest Drive and Seven States Power Corp. to host a September 25 event at which invited guests can drive a variety of EVs. “We’re excited about it. It’ll be a great show-and-tell,” said Carroll, who also predicted that transportation will eventually account for nearly all of a given utility’s load.

“I see us giving away heating load to gas companies,” he said. “Electric transportation will be a huge load- we’ll have to manage the demand and figure out how it’ll affect our wholesale bills, but I can see a day when it’d be our only load.”

DERMS Enrollment Spikes

Tue, 02 Jul 2019 18:23:00 GMT

In the space of two working days, June 28 and July 1, formal expressions of interest in Seven States Power Corp.’s DERMS program grew from four to seven local power companies that collectively serve 625,000 consumers in the Valley.

Chief executives Wes Kelley of Huntsville Utilities, Huntsville, Ala., Kathryn West of North Georgia EMC, Dalton, Ga. and Rody Blevins of Volunteer EC, Decatur, Tenn., have each signed letters of intent indicating that they plan to implement Seven States’ DERMS software by the end of 2019.

The newcomers join Seven States’ four original DERMS enrollees – Appalachian EC, New Market, Tenn.; BrightRidge, Johnson City, Tenn.; Cleveland, Tenn., Utilities and Lenoir City, Tenn., UB. Steve Noe of Seven States said that when each utility signs its formal DERMS participation agreement later on this year, it will begin work with software provider OATI to configure its unique DERMS application.

“DERMS pulls in all of a utility’s distributed energy assets to develop a load management profile and puts those in a single view,” Noe said. “That makes it much easier for a utility to gauge and forecast load, and determine what resources to use to best manage demand.”

Seven States Vice President Betsey Kirk McCall said the growing DERMS enrollment is very promising.

“This clearly shows that the direction given by the Seven States board with regard to DERMS is really starting to pay dividends,” she said. “The growth of DERMS is a sign of Seven States gaining momentum. The future of Seven States is looking brighter by the day.”

DERMS Solution for Appalachian Electric Cooperative

Thu, 20 Jun 2019 14:11:00 GMT

For all that Appalachian EC, New Market, Tenn., has going for it, the cooperative is saddled with a significant deficiency.

“We have one of the worst load factors in the Valley,” said Greg Williams, Appalachian EC’s longtime general manager and a former TVPPA chairman. “Our No. 1 goal is to impact our load factor.”

Enter Seven States Power Corp., which not only offered Williams a way to manage his load control, but to do it with relative simplicity – thanks to DERMS (Distributed Energy Resource Management Systems), a software product made by Seven States partner OATI.

“DERMS offers us the opportunity to centralize all those [load-control] functions and manage those effectively,” Williams said. “And, secondarily, the fact that it’s a Seven States solution makes it an ideal solution.”

It isn’t that Appalachian EC can’t manage its load issues on its own – the trick, Williams said, is to do it as effectively as possible.

“Trying to manage all those different things – water heaters, voltage control, all of it – in all those different silos can be challenging,” Williams said. “We have SCADA, AMI and different software tools, but no way of truly focusing our efforts on energy management.

“DERMS lets us pull all those together into one platform, and it opens the door for other potential projects – battery storage comes to mind,” Williams said. “And we weren’t actually looking at doing this – Seven States brought it to our attention and really opened our eyes as to the possibilities. Seven States brought a solution that we didn’t even know existed.”

Williams said that while DERMS is still in the pencil-and-paper stage at Appalachian EC, he’s already eyeing some near-term goals.

“I’d love to be able to start with voltage control by the end of 2019, then look at adding a demand-response program for our commercial and industrial customers by next spring,” he said. “Those are two things I think we could do fairly quickly.”

Middle Tennessee EMC Making Solar ‘Simple’

Thu, 20 Jun 2019 14:10:00 GMT

Middle Tennessee EMC, Murfreesboro, Tenn., strives to make life better for its members through its focus on serving not only as their energy provider, but as their trusted energy advisor as well.

“One of the ways we do that is through our Cooperative Solar Program,” said Chris Jones, the cooperative’s president and CEO. “It’s truly made solar simple.

“We’re going to continue to look for more ways to bring renewable energy to our members and focus on being good stewards of our environment,” he said.

MTEMC’s Cooperative Solar Program provides access to solar for environmentally conscious members who might otherwise be excluded from owning and installing their own solar generation. The cooperative operates a solar farm consisting of more than 3,000 ground-mounted, fixed panels on four acres of land in nearby College Grove, TN. The farm is about 1 megawatt, can power some 125 homes per year and stands on flood-plain property unsuitable for conventional construction.

Jones said MTEMC’s Cooperative Solar Program is quite “member-friendly,” as members may join or leave at any time. Participating members get access to one or two blocks of panels each month at $20 per block, and receive a monthly credit on their bill for the production of their blocks. Enrollment is subject to block availability.

“Participation has been at more than 90 percent for the past year,” Jones noted.

MTEMC tracks production of its solar system via onsite meters and online web monitoring; officials with the cooperative are alerted if any equipment isn’t working properly, but the system has required very little maintenance thus far.

Volunteer EC Goes Big on Backup

Thu, 20 Jun 2019 14:09:00 GMT

Rody Blevins’ new backup generators will represent the closing of an old loop.

The veteran CEO at Volunteer EC, Decatur, Tenn., has ordered two 750-kV, gas-fired generators from Caterpillar through Chattanooga, Tenn.-based Stowers Machinery. He plans to have them up and running at the cooperative’s two largest service centers, in Cleveland, Tenn., and Crossville, Tenn., by October.

Blevins said Volunteer EC is paying about $440,000 per unit – a savings of between 15 percent and 20 percent, per the new deal made by Seven States Power Corp. and the manufacturer.

“We were pleased with that final price,” Blevins said.

The new generators – and a 420-kV unit Blevins had installed at the cooperative’s main offices two years ago – bring full circle a plan Blevins said was launched nearly 20 years ago.

“We started a project to rebuild most of our system,” he said. “The vision is to update all our technical platforms and have the entire system digital by 2020. This is the culmination of that effort.

“Our goal is to always try to improve reliability for our membership, and this is one more step in that direction,” Blevins said. “The generator at our main campus is designed to run 20,000 hours before it needs any maintenance. It backs up the entire campus – all the IT, the 24-hour dispatch and call center, everything.”

Blevins said the new Cleveland and Crossville units will also support Volunteer EC’s fiber-based communications network.

“That’s our entire network – almost all our substations, all our AMI, SCADA and remote devices,” he said. “It’s critical to maintain those communications.”

And the generators won’t serve only as backup power; Blevins said the generator at the cooperative’s main campus runs – and the new units will run – at peak-demand times.

“Those peak-demand savings will be such that these units will pay for themselves in five or six years,” he said.

Seven States Power Corp. Attends Tennessee Valley Corridor National Summit

Wed, 29 May 2019 14:39:00 GMT

The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga served as host to this year’s Tennessee Valley Corridor National Summit on May 29-30, 2019. The Tennessee Valley Corridor (TVC) has built a strong alliance of community, business, education and government leaders through its technological summits that are held every year throughout the Valley. The primary focus of the summit is to advocate for collaboration and cooperation among key institutions, organizations, businesses and political leaders in the Tennessee Valley.

“When leaders and advocates collaborate to bring new opportunities to the Tennessee Valley, the possibilities are endless. The summit energized and challenged me to think outside the box on how Seven States Power Corporation can partner strategically to deliver services to our members and benefit the people of the Tennessee Valley.”

Board Meeting and CHP Tour

Sat, 30 Mar 2019 17:46:00 GMT

The Seven States Power Corp. (7SPC) board of directors met March 19 in Chattanooga, Tennessee after which several 7SPC directors toured a combined-heat-and-power (CHP) plant at Chattanooga’s largest hospital.

“As more members explore CHP technology, Seven States staff is sharing opportunities for members and the board to not only see distributed-energy technologies up close, but to get so close they can literally touch them,” said 7SPC Vice President Betsey Kirk McCall.

After the meeting at 7SPC’s offices, several board members repaired to Erlanger Hospital, which spends nearly $6 million annually on electricity and natural gas to heat and cool its downtown facilities and provide power for everything from hot water to air filtration and a host of medical services. 7SPC Director Mike Bolin of Knoxville, Tennessee UB pronounced the plant, “very impressive.”

The Erlanger project was an eye-opener for Monte Cooper of Jackson, Tennessee EA, which is eyeing CHP for its wastewater treatment plant.

“This project is quite a bit bigger than what we’re looking at, but the concepts are the same,” said Cooper, who accompanied JEA CEO and 7SPC Director Jim Ferrell. “Seeing this gives me a good idea of how things piece together.”

7SPC Board Meeting

New Partnership with Stowers Machinery

The 7SPC board announced a five-year partnership through Stowers Machinery Corp. that enables members to purchase backup generation at preferred pricing. The natural gas-powered generators are available for all members who order through 7SPC. Prices are based on the year of delivery, so Stowers recommends ordering by August of each year to take advantage of that year’s pricing.

For more information, contact Clint Wilson, TVPPA vice president of engineering and energy innovations, at cwilson@tvppa.com or 423-531-0547 .

DERMS Update

The 7SPC Board was updated on the Distributed Energy Resources Management System (DERMS); four 7SPC board members signed letters of intent demonstrating their commitment to participating in DERMS this year. Signees will receive special pricing offered by OATI in partnership with Seven States. The incentive pricing is set to expire in July.

For more information about letters of intent, contact Steve Noe, TVPPA director of strategic energy solutions, at snoe@tvppa.com or 423-490-7929 .

Report from TVPPA’s Manager of DER Deployments

The 7SPC Board Heard from Brad Rains, TVPPA’s manager of DER Deployments, who reported that 7SPC has 10 electric-vehicle (EV) projects in the pipeline, each of which is expected to reach completion in the next three to six months. Three of 7SPC’s four EV parking spaces in Chattanooga are under lease. 7SPC is also participating in the Drive Electric Tennessee program.

For more information about Seven States’ EV program, contact Brad Rains at brains@tvppa.com or 423-490-7926 .

Company Strategy and Goals

During the meeting, the board eviewed the company’s strategy and its success in meeting its goals over the last year. The board reaffirmed 7SPC’s strategy, which includes the company’s prioritization of DERMS, battery storage, backup generation, CHP, electric vehicles, and equity ownership in TVA assets. Seven States is currently facilitating backup generation projects for three member LPCs, is exploring water heater projects with five members, is working with Jackson, Tennessee EA on a potential CHP project for the wastewater treatment plant there, and is working on special pricing programs with DER manufacturers.

Volkswagen to make EVs in Chattanooga

Wed, 30 Jan 2019 17:53:00 GMT

Volkswagen has announced that its Chattanooga, Tenn., plant will serve as its North American base for manufacturing electric vehicles (EVs). The German automaker’s EV expansion will include an investment of...

Nissan Connection & Turnout Make 7SPC Annual Meeting ‘Historic’

Sun, 30 Dec 2018 17:55:00 GMT

Seven States Power Corp.’s (7SPC) November 30 event in Smyrna, TN, wasn’t its first annual meeting — but it was, to be sure, a first in several regards.

“This was nothing less than a defining moment,” said Seven States Vice President Betsey Kirk McCall. “It truly was historic. It was the first time a Seven States Annual Meeting wasn’t piggy-backed onto a TVPPA event. There was no other reason for members to be in Smyrna on that rainy day, but they turned out.”

“That support and commitment was gratifying,” said McCall. Giving a strong nod to the future was the fact that the meeting was conducted at the Nissan/
Tennessee College of Applied Technology, just yards from the city’s massive Nissan manufacturing plant.

Nissan’s Electric Vehicle Program

McCall said the selection of the site was intentional, given that Nissan is a leader in the electric vehicle (EV) market and 7SPC’s EV charger installation this summer is the corporation’s first project to reach fruition.

“We wanted to present Nissan’s EV program in an engaging way,” McCall said, “so as to encourage discussion of potential new EV projects and how 7SPC’s team can be of service in supporting our members’ EV and other DER [Distributed Energy Resources] initiatives. “EVs are the future—but the future is here. It’s now. 7SPC has several EV projects in play and we’re ready to launch more,” McCall said.

Annual Meeting Events

Annual Meeting attendees were briefed on Nissan’s EV program by company executives Cornelius Willingham and Scott Brierley, while 7SPC’s Brad Rains outlined particulars of the EV charger program. Attendees also toured the Nissan plant and several took advantage of an opportunity to test-drive the all-electric Nissan LEAF. Seven States’ Clint Wilson said both activities were designed to highlight the value of 7SPC’s EV program. “Holding our annual meeting at Nissan highlighted the new marketplace of the utility industry and couldn’t have been a better tie-in with the 7SPC strategic framework,” Wilson said.

Honors and Awards

Two attendees left the Annual Meeting with more hardware than they’d had when they arrived—Nissan executive Leon Simar, the event’s de facto host, was presented the first 7SPC Innovation Champion award in recognition of not only his efforts attendant to the meeting, but of Nissan’s strides in the EV marketplace.

And 7SPC Director Jeff Dykes of BrightRidge, who’d talked excitedly and at some length about the prospect of purchasing his utility’s first EV charger, wriggled off that particular hook when he won a ClipperCreek charger in a random drawing. “I’ve got a great board, but now my board members are going to argue about whose area it’ll go in,” Dykes said with a broad grin.

DERMS Initiative

Annual Meeting attendees also got updates on 7SPC’s Distributed Energy Resources Management System (DERMS) initiative from Steve Noe and the Meter Data Utilization/Analysis program from Melinda Harris. During the 7SPC business meeting, five incumbents were re-elected to their seats on the Board of Directors:

Mike Bolin of Knoxville, Tn., UB (Division 3)

Darrell Gillespie of Dickson, Tn., ES (Central District)

Mark Iverson of Bowling Green, Ky., MU (Kentucky District)

Terry Kemp of Starkville, Miss., Utilities (Division 10)

Jon Turner of 4-County EPA, Columbus, Miss. (Mississippi District)

Order of Events

Welcoming attendees was Doug Peters, president/CEO of 7SPC.

The Annual Meeting was conducted by Chairman Rody Blevins of Volunteer EC, Decatur, Tn. and Secretary/Treasurer Jim Ferrell of Jackson, Tn., EA.

Chris Jones of Middle Tennessee EMC, Murfreesboro, Tn., delivered the invocation and Michael Watson of Duck River EMC, Shelbyville, Tn., led the Pledge of Allegiance.

Middle Tennessee EMC serves Smyrna’s Nissan plant, while Duck River EMC counts Nissan’s Decherd, Tn., plant among its customers.

“Many thanks to the 7SPC staff for organizing a great annual meeting. Well done,” said Watson.

BrightRidge Invites Customers to ‘Take A Load Off’

Mon, 30 Jul 2018 18:08:00 GMT

At BrightRidge, ‘Take A Load Off’ isn’t just a folksy greeting; it’s what thousands of the utility’s customers have been doing, via their water heaters, since 2013.

Eric Egan, chief data officer at BrightRidge, estimates the TALO program saved the Johnson City, TN-based utility more than $236,213 in 2018 and will save it nearly $7 million through 2031.

Reducing cost is “critical as we look to keep costs down for our customers,” said BrightRidge CEO Jeff Dykes.

BrightRidge started the TALO program in earnest in 2014, shortly after finishing deployment of its advanced metering infrastructure. By the end of 2018, nearly 10 percent of BrightRidge’s 66,000-plus residential customers were in TALO.

TALO load-control devices are installed on water heaters in multi-family and single-family residences. The devices activate infrequently for a 2-hour duration during times of peak demand – usually very hot or very cold days. Should a BrightRidge customer need more hot water than what’s stored inside the water heater during a diversion event, that customer can simply push an override button on the TALO device.

At present, Egan said, TALO sheds on average 2.5 to 3 megawatts per diversion event.

“Our peaks are pretty easy to predict – 7 a.m. to 9 a.m. in the winter and 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. in the summer,” Egan said. “We’re almost always going to peak in those 2-hour windows, so the challenge is picking the correct day. In most months, we run two to four load-control events to capture the peak.”

BrightRidge customers who sign up for TALO receive a $40 billing credit as well as free water heater maintenance for elements and thermostats as long as they continue to participate in the program. Egan estimated that of the more than 6,000 devices installed so far, barely two dozen customers have asked to have theirs removed- “and most of those are due to customers changing out their water heaters,” he said.

TALO maintenance is a point of pride at BrightRidge. Egan said the utility averages 10 to 15 maintenance calls per month, with every bit of that work being done by BrightRidge personnel – no contractors. He said installation typically costs about $125 per device (up-front incentive plus labor), but the maintenance cost averages fewer than 25 cents per month, per device.

Egan said BrightRidge does its best to keep the TALO program top-of-mind where its customers are concerned.

“We have all the information on our website,” he said. “We run newspaper and radio ads as well.

“We have 150 to 200 people through our lobby every day, and TALO information is posted there. Anytime a customer sits down with one of our customer-service representatives, that customer is offered the program.”

For more information on TALO and other BrightRidge programs, visit www.brightridge.com or call Energy Services and Marketing at 423.952.5142.