Transformers play a vital role in energy distribution purposes, ensuring that voltage levels can be lowered before entering homes and businesses.
So, when an internal fault necessitated a Nevada transformer’s replacement, IBEW 1245 members at NV Energy were quick to take action, beginning their work as soon as the new transformer’s concrete foundation dried.
Left to right; Substation Apprentice Jonathon Lanting, Substation Apprentice Marc Jones, Substation Apprentice Dakota Newbrough, Substation Journeyman Casey Segale, Substation Journeyman Tommy Harpster, Foreman Josh Toulouse and Substation Journeyman Robert Murphy. IBEW Local 1245 members from NV Energy assemble a new transformer at the Northwest Substation in Reno, Nevada on August 14, 2024.
Josh Toulouse, an IBEW 1245 member and Substation Foreman for NV Energy described the work, saying, “We did about two weeks of wreck-out on the old transformer, and we’ve been working on this one for about a week now.” He added, “We’re replacing a transformer that went bad with a new one that we had as a spare.”
IBEW Local 1245 members from NV Energy assemble a new transformer at the Northwest Substation in Reno, Nevada on August 14, 2024.
The process is not without its challenges, including the accelerated nature of the operation and excessively hot weather.
“Since it was an emergency situation where this transformer needs to be in as soon as possible, we have the engineer scrambling to get work done that usually takes six months in the span of two,” Toulouse stressed. “Weather is also a factor in the summer. I try to make sure to give (the crew) breaks as often as I can.”
IBEW Local 1245 members from NV Energy assemble a new transformer at the Northwest Substation in Reno, Nevada on August 14, 2024.
As a member of IBEW 1245, Toulouse values the union’s role in advocating for members’ rights, including rest periods.
“They’re always there to fight for us, whether that be our wages, job amenities, or rest periods and making sure that we get a square deal,” he said.
The NV Energy crew aims to complete the project by the last week of August.
– Cole Gerstle, IBEW 1245 Communications Intern with photos by John Storey