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Month: September 2016

SECO Shines at Leesburg Rotary

On Wednesday, August 24, SECO Energy Key Accounts Consultant Hank Bolduc helped shine a light on solar power at the Leesburg Rotary Club meeting.

 

SECO Energy’s “Introduction to Photovoltaic Systems” presentation is an in-depth exploration of solar photovoltaic systems and how they work. Hank explained the process in which solar photovoltaic systems take available sunlight and convert it to energy, which is then used to power appliances and electronics in a home or business.

 

Before investing in a solar photovoltaic system, consider the initial investment needed for installation and the expense of maintaining and cleaning the system. Check the zoning ordinances and homeowners’ association rules – some do not allow visible solar systems on homes. Also consider the age of your roof – don’t put solar panels on a roof that will need to be replaced during the life of the panels. A photovoltaic system can only create energy when the sun is shining, before installation – remove trees or other obstructions that shade the panels.

 

Hank offered this advice to the Rotarians about solar installations, “Do your homework. As you would with any home improvement project, hire a reputable contractor – one that offers referrals from satisfied customers. Work with your contractor to determine how much you want to spend initially and how much you could potentially reduce your utility-supplied power.”

 

SECO Energy Shines at Leesburg Rotary

 

“The solar industry will continue to grow and as a not-for-profit electric cooperative, SECO is here to support members who choose to invest in a solar photovoltaic system,” Hank added.

 

In fact, The Florida Office on Economic and Demographic Research reports that SECO has the highest number of solar interconnections of any electric cooperative or municipal utility in Florida with 440 installations. For members who are considering solar, SECO’s experienced Energy Services Specialists can assist with determining a home’s conduciveness to solar using a device called a solar Pathfinder.

 

Try out our solar-estimator to determine how much a home could reduce its utility-supplied power by investing in a rooftop solar photovoltaic system. To learn more about the Leesburg Rotary Club, visit www.rotaryclubofleesburg.com. “Like” SECO Energy’s Facebook page and “follow” the company on Twitter for cooperative updates and the latest news releases.

SECO Recovers Quickly from Hurricane Hermine Pounding

Late Thursday night and early Friday morning, Hurricane Hermine pounded SECO’s service territory with buckets of rain and high winds as it sped toward the Florida Panhandle.  In addition to the storms, WESH Channel 2 advised at least one tornado touched down in Sumter County near Webster. This event began a series of weather-related outages for SECO Energy members in the storm’s path.

 

At the height of the high winds and rainfall, approximately 7,500 members were without power.  As of 8 a.m. on Friday, the outages were reduced to under 3,000 members out. As of 7 p.m. on Friday,  SECO has less than 100 members without power.
SECO Energy, SECO Territory Pounded by Hurricane Hermine
Hurricane Hermine brought damage across the state, including broken trees and utility poles, flooding, roadway debris and at least one death in Marion County. Earlier today, NBC News reported that more than 250,000 consumers across the state are without power. Fortunately, most SECO Energy members weren’t affected with power outages due to an expertly designed, soundly built and well maintained system whose reliability is enhanced by an aggressive vegetation management program.

 

Vice President of Corporate Communications & Energy Services Kathryn Gloria stated, “SECO continually maintains, inspects and upgrades its system to provide the most reliable power possible to our members.  SECO is Storm Ready – it prepared well in advance for the possibility of Hurricane Hermine and its impact on our service area.  SECO continued to update members this week about Hurricane Hermine’s projected path and status and warned members to be prepared for outages if the storm made landfall near our area.”

SECO Energy, SECO Territory Pounded by Hurricane Hermine, power line pole being replace after major damage.

 

Part of SECO’s strategy included pairing a tree trimming crew with a line crew during restoration. As of 7 p.m. on Friday, there were less than 100 SECO members whose service has yet to be restored.  SECO is continuing its emergency restoration plan until every member on the system is restored. SECO predicts the remainder of members’ service will be restored before midnight Friday – unless additional storms on the tail of Hurricane Hermine come into play.

 

As a not-for-profit electric cooperative, SECO is dedicated to being its members’ first source for storm information. “Like” SECO’s Facebook page and “follow” the company on Twitter for the latest news releases and cooperative updates.

Hurricane Hermine Wake and Restoration Process

Overnight, the SECO Energy system held up remarkably well given the high winds and rain that came in the wake of Hurricane Hermine.  At height of the Thursday overnight outages, about 7,500 members were without power. As of 8 am on Friday, about 3,000 members remain without power.

 

Employees worked throughout the night and field crews are performing under tough conditions. Fresh crews and tree trimmers stepped in this morning to relieve the overnight crews.

 

SECO expects severe weather throughout the day. Gusty winds up to 45 mph are forecast through 5 pm with periods of heavy rain and lightning at times.  The key component of the current outage equation is there are 170 individual outages affecting those 3,000 members.  That is a high number of individual outages, and some SECO members in less populated areas may need to prepare for a restoration effort that extends into the weekend

 

SYSTEM OPS UPDATE:

By-County Outages:

  • There are 1,125 without power in Marion County – largely in Blichton and Rainbow Lakes and Waterways Ocala.
  • There are only 127 members without power in Lake County.
  • Sumter County recovered well overnight after unofficial reports of tornados came with multiple outages. About 521 remain without power in Sumter County, mostly along the Highway 301 corridor north and south of Bushnell.
  • Hernando County (far north along the 301 corridor) has 15 without power.
  • 14 members are without power in Pasco County.
  • There are 99 members without power in Levy County.
  • Citrus County has 609 members without power – generally along Highway 41 and in Inverness. There are Citrus outage pockets on the north and south sides of Highway 44.

 

RESTORATION PROCESS:

Remember that bucket trucks and line work cannot withstand winds in excess of 35 mph – restoration work must be suspended in high winds.  SECO’s emergency restoration plan determines the system’s restoration priority of each affected feeder. Essential services such as shelters, hospitals, fire/law enforcement facilities, schools, and government agencies are the highest priority. Line repairs that will restore power to large groups of members are next, and then individual electric services in less populated areas.

 

If a member is unsure if SECO is aware of an outage, report it using your last name and house number on Storm Center.

Hermine Upgraded to Hurricane

On Thursday afternoon, the National Hurricane Center upgraded Tropical Storm Hermine to a Category 1 hurricane. Maximum sustained winds have increased to 75 mph. Currently, the hurricane is 115 miles south-southwest of Apalachicola and is moving north-northeast at 14 mph. Locally, tornado warnings have been issued for several counties in SECO’s service area.

 

SECO Energy is Storm Ready and is braced for Hermine’s impact on its service area. Members should expect 4-8 inches of rain during the event with isolated higher totals. Strong winds will occur on Friday and will have more of an impact on SECO’s service territory than before Hermine makes landfall. Tornadoes remain a concern until Hermine passes away from the state on Friday.

 

SECO has enacted its emergency restoration plan in preparation for Hurricane Hermine’s effects. Bucket trucks and line work cannot withstand winds in excess of 35 mph. Once winds subside, SECO’s Operations crews and additional contractor and tree trimming crews will work together to restore power quickly and safely. Additional reinforcements are on standby.

 

The company’s emergency restoration plan determines the system’s restoration priority of each affected feeder. Essential services such as shelters, hospitals, fire/law enforcement facilities, schools, and government agencies are the highest priority. Line repairs that will restore power to large groups of members are next, and then individual electric services in less populated areas. SECO urges members to continue tracking Hurricane Hermine and prepare to wait out the storm as it passes through Central Florida.

 

Use these practical suggestions:

  • If using a landline, have a non-electric phone for emergencies.
  • Invest in and charge a battery-operated cell phone charger.
  • Buy a battery-powered radio and a supply of fresh batteries.
  • Keep flashlights and extra batteries handy.
  • Dig out your first aid kit and refill prescription medications.
  • Stock a three-day supply of bottled water.
  • Fill bathtubs with water to flush toilets.
  • Purchase canned or packaged nonperishable food.
  • Buy an old-fashioned crank can opener.
  • Review your homeowners and flood insurance policies.

 

If neighbors have power but you do not, check your panel for tripped breakers, as this is common. If the breakers aren’t tripped, report the outage using your smartphone or tablet through the SECO Storm Center – or call us.

 

As a not-for-profit electric cooperative, SECO is dedicated to being its members’ first source for storm information. “Like” SECO’s Facebook page and “follow” the company on Twitter to stay updated.

SECO Braced for Tropical Storm Hermine

On Thursday morning, Tropical Storm Hermine turned northeast and is moving at 12 mph. Hermine’s maximum sustained winds are 60 mph with higher gusts, and tropical-storm-force winds extend up to 140 miles east of the center. Current models show the track to our west. Hermine is forecast to hit the Florida coast as a hurricane tonight or early Friday morning between Apalachicola and Cross City. Once inland, Hermine should diminish in intensity and track across northwest Florida into southeast Georgia by Friday morning.

 

SECO Energy is Storm Ready and is braced for Hermine’s impact on its service area. Members should expect 4-8 inches of rain during the event with isolated higher totals. Strong winds will occur on Friday and will have more of an impact on SECO’s service territory than before Hermine makes landfall. Isolated tornado threats remain a concern until Hermine passes away from the state on Friday.

 

SECO has enacted its emergency restoration plan in preparation for Hermine’s effects. Bucket trucks and line work cannot withstand winds in excess of 35 mph. Once winds subside, SECO’s Operations crews and additional contractor and tree trimming crews will work together to restore power quickly and safely. Additional reinforcements are on standby.

 

The company’s emergency restoration plan determines the system’s restoration priority of each affected feeder. Essential services such as shelters, hospitals, fire/law enforcement facilities, schools, and government agencies are the highest priority. Line repairs that will restore power to large groups of members are next, and then individual electric services in less populated areas. SECO urges members to continue tracking Hermine and prepare to wait out the storm as it passes through Central Florida.

 

Use these practical suggestions:

  • If using a landline, have a non-electric phone for emergencies.
  • Invest in and charge a battery-operated cell phone charger.
  • Buy a battery-powered radio and a supply of fresh batteries.
  • Keep flashlights and extra batteries handy.
  • Dig out your first aid kit and refill prescription medications.
  • Stock a three-day supply of bottled water.
  • Fill bathtubs with water to flush toilets.
  • Purchase canned or packaged nonperishable food.
  • Buy an old-fashioned crank can opener.
  • Review your homeowners and flood insurance policies.

 

If neighbors have power but you do not, check your panel for tripped breakers, as this is common. If the breakers aren’t tripped, report the outage using your smartphone or tablet through the SECO Storm Center – or call us.

 

As a not-for-profit electric cooperative, SECO is dedicated to being its members’ first source for storm information. “Like” SECO’s Facebook page and “follow” the company on Twitter to stay updated.

Nature’s Reflections – Salty Lightfoot Crab

Salty Lightfoot Crab

Colorful, feisty crab lives and hunts in rock crevices

 

The Salty Lightfoot crab, (Grapsus grapsus) also called the red rock crab, is found on rocky beaches in the Americas on both the Atlantic and Pacific coastlines. It is a common crab on the Galapagos and along the Atlantic coast of Africa. In Florida, it can be found along the Atlantic coastline, living in the rocks of the jetties.

 

The Salty Lightfoot crab is a bright multi-colored crustacean. Its body, called the carapace, is three to four inches across and bright red with black, orange and yellow markings. It has ten jointed legs with a bright orange or yellow tip on each leg. Two legs are claws, called pinchers that are larger and are more vivid red. It has two large bluish eyes and four antennae. Males tend to be slightly smaller than females and the right claw is slightly larger than the left. The underbelly is pale white. Young Salty Lightfoot crabs are darker-colored.

 

Salty Lightfoot crabs can move quickly and demonstrate remarkable agility clinging to the rocks while powerful waves crash over them. It will eat practically anything it can get, from algae to dead fish. It is known to clean the beach of broken eggs and bird and bat droppings.

 

SECO Energy, SECO News September 2016 Nature’s Reflections – Salty Lightfoot Crab

 

While Salty serves an important role as predator and beach janitor, it is also a vital part of the ecosystem as prey for many animals including large birds, octopuses, sea turtles, etc. In addition, fishermen use the species for bait and others become part of the pet trade. Average lifespan in captivity is seven years.

 

Breeding occurs year round. Males battle for females in a crab-style boxing match and the victor wins brief access to the female. Males and females may have multiple partners over a breeding season. After mating both return to a solitary life. Eggs remain suspended in a female’s belly until hatching in about three weeks, normally during a full moon. Females may bear twenty to a hundred offspring in a clutch. Once the young drop into the water they are on their own. Females molt after hatching the eggs and are ready to mate again in about three weeks.

 

Column & photo by: Sandi Staton