Power Lineman Weekly Brief: May 20–26, 2025
This week brought significant developments for power linemen, from crucial advancements in EV infrastructure to strategic utility investments and industry recognition. Here’s a recap of the most relevant news and trends:
Eaton and ChargePoint Partner to Boost EV Charging Infrastructure
Eaton and ChargePoint have announced a new collaboration aimed at simplifying the deployment of electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure across North America and Europe. This partnership seeks to advance bidirectional and vehicle-to-everything (V2X) technologies, combining ChargePoint’s charging solutions with Eaton’s energy management expertise. The goal is to promote electrification, enhance grid reliability, and reduce costs, indicating a growing need for linemen skilled in complex interconnection projects and smart grid interactions. This initiative highlights the evolving demands on electrical infrastructure as EVs become more integrated into the energy grid.
Published: May 22, 2025
https://eepower.com/news/eaton-and-chargepoint-join-to-advance-ev-charging-infrastructure/
EEI Recognizes Excellence in Business Development
The Edison Electric Institute (EEI) recently honored companies with its 2025 Business Development Awards, celebrating outstanding efforts to create purchasing opportunities for small businesses partnering with investor-owned electric companies. Presented on May 22, these awards underscore the utility industry’s commitment to fostering economic growth and empowering local communities through inclusive supply chain practices. DTE Energy, ZONES, and Walker-Miller Energy Services were among those recognized for their leadership in supplier inclusion, outreach, and mentorship, demonstrating a focus on community impact alongside operational excellence. This highlights the industry’s broader focus on community engagement and a robust supply chain.
Published: May 22, 2025
2025 Business Development Awards
Tools & Tips
- Comprehensive Report on Grid Modernization Trends For a deeper understanding of the evolving landscape of the U.S. electrical grid, the “50 States of Grid Modernization: Utilities Pursue Tools for Demand Management and Grid Flexibility in Q1 2025” report offers invaluable insights. This quarterly series tracks state regulatory and legislative actions on grid modernization, energy storage, microgrids, and demand response across the nation. Understanding these overarching trends can help linemen anticipate future projects and identify required skill sets in their respective regions.
The 50 States of Grid Modernization: Utilities Pursue Tools for Demand Management and Grid Flexibility in Q1 2025 | NC Clean Energy Technology Center - Exploring Drones for Enhanced Safety and Efficiency Drones (Unmanned Aerial Systems or UAS) are increasingly proving their value in public safety and utility operations. The growing trend of leveraging drones for enhancing situational awareness during emergencies, assisting in search-and-rescue operations, and conducting inspections is gaining significant momentum. For linemen, understanding how drones can be integrated into their work—from inspecting hard-to-reach lines to safely assessing storm damage from a distance—can significantly boost operational efficiency and reduce risks.
2025 Trends: Innovative Technologies Shaping the Future of Public Safety - Versaterm
Fun Fact
Did you know that one of the most indispensable and iconic tools for power linemen is the “hot stick”? This insulated fiberglass pole is specifically designed to allow linemen to safely work on energized power lines and equipment from a distance. Hot sticks vary in size depending on the voltage and task at hand, showcasing the remarkable ingenuity and highly specialized equipment required to perform one of the world’s most dangerous, yet absolutely essential, jobs.
We’d love to hear from you!
Have you participated in any Power Lineman events or utilized new Power Lineman tools recently? Share your experiences or insights with us—we’re featuring selected community voices in next week’s edition.