Networks without borders

Transmission providers and their suppliers have no choice but to be innovative in all their activities. They have the ability, knowledge, technology, and skills to make changes that will provide customers with available, safe, reliable, and cost-efficient transmission services, but they cannot achieve those results without industry-wide sharing of best practices. Conferences like International Conference on Transmission and Distribution Construction, Operation, and Live-line Maintenance (ESMO) are necessary if there is to be continued cooperation in the development of new technology, sharing of winning practices and methods, and improvement of the ability to provide reliable and efficient transmission services. The author discusses the changes in the electricity supply industry, and future trends. The need to be the best at technical skills, condition based maintenance, best practices, computer use, environmental and safety issues is discussed. Service continuity at Hydro-Quebec is then discussed