The Necessity of Reliability
In an era where extreme weather events, wildfires, and other natural disasters pose increasing risks to our infrastructure, the reliability of utility services has never been more important. Within the utility industry, ensuring a stable and reliable grid is more than just a priority—it’s a necessity.
The stakes are even higher when interruptions can have devastating consequences for critical infrastructure and local economies. The lines and circuits delivering service to industrial facilities, hospitals, senior care facilities, schools, water treatment facilities and commercial businesses must be protected.
Traditional Utility Poles Not Up to the Task
Traditional utility poles, typically made from wood steel, or others, have long been the backbone of our electrical and communication networks. However, these materials have limitations and risk when the consequences of a failure matter the most.
Wood poles are susceptible to woodpeckers, carpenter ants and other pests, along with wind, fire and ice. Even in ideal conditions they weaken as they age. In addition, availability of wood and alternative poles such as, steel, or others is making it increasingly difficult to get supply when you need them, particularly for municipal utilities and co-operatives. Given these challenges, there is a growing need for more available, durable and resilient alternatives. RS utility poles are engineered to withstand nature’s harshest conditions while minimizing maintenance. They offer a promising solution to the reliability challenges faced by utility companies of all sizes.
Stronger, More Reliable RS Composite Poles
RS utility poles are constructed from a blend of proprietary materials such as fiberglass, polyurethane resin, and other composites. These materials were engineered over decades and are specifically chosen for their strength, durability, and resistance to environmental stressors. Unlike traditional poles, RS poles do not suffer from issues like decay, corrosion, or destructive wildlife. Their non-conductive nature also makes them safer for the crews who work on them, and the customers they serve.
RS poles are also better at handling the extreme conditions that are becoming more common in every community. From high winds and heavy snowfall to wildfires and flooding, their resilience increases the likelihood that utility services remain uninterrupted, safeguarding critical infrastructure and minimizing downtime during disasters.
By leveraging the unique properties of composite materials, our utility poles provide a robust alternative that can withstand the rigors faced in deployment. Their lightweight nature also materially reduces transportation and installation, reducing time and the associated labor costs. Reduced maintenance needs and longer lifespans mean significantly reduced costs due to: no replacement costs or repairs. So, while the unit cost of RS poles may be perceived to be higher than traditional poles, the long-term savings are substantial and provide more value than the alternative pole.
Upgrade Your Grid
The adoption of RS utility poles in high-threat or difficult to reach environments represents a forward-thinking approach to your infrastructure needs. Broadly using this innovative technology today, protects your assets and enhances service reliability against future destruction from pests, and environmental factors like wildfires and increasingly damaging storms and weather events.
Interested in further exploring a transition to RS utility poles? A member of the Resilient Structures team is ready to answer your questions.
