In a bid to fortify the electric grid and enhance service reliability, Potomac Edison, a subsidiary of FirstEnergy Corp., has recently concluded significant service reliability projects spanning across Allegany, Frederick, and Garrett counties in Western Maryland. These initiatives mark a proactive step towards minimizing the impact of power outages for nearly 5,000 customers in the region.
The culmination of two pivotal projects signifies a substantial leap forward in grid resilience. These initiatives empower Potomac Edison to swiftly respond to disruptions by automatically rerouting power through adjacent lines in the event of damages or maintenance requirements on primary lines. Particularly, customers in the West Frederick, Frostburg, and Finzel areas stand to benefit from this adaptive measure, which promises fewer and shorter service interruptions.
Moreover, the installation of 14 automated reclosing devices in substations and along neighborhood power lines underscores a strategic approach to outage management. These devices act as advanced circuit breakers, promptly isolating faults and swiftly restoring power within seconds. By leveraging smart technology, Potomac Edison aims to limit the frequency, duration, and scope of service disruptions, thereby enhancing customer experience and satisfaction.
The implementation of these smart grid technologies offers multifaceted benefits-
- Improved Safety and Efficiency: Automated reclosers enhance safety and efficiency by autonomously restoring service without the need for manual intervention, thereby minimizing risks associated with outage response.
- Enhanced Fault Localization: By swiftly pinpointing fault locations, utility personnel can expedite restoration efforts, ensuring minimal downtime for affected customers.
- Isolation of Outages: In the event of more severe issues, such as fallen trees on electrical equipment, these devices isolate outages, limiting the total number of affected customers and streamlining restoration processes.
Infrastructure Reinforcement: In addition to these technological advancements, Potomac Edison has proactively replaced approximately 50 miles of aging underground cable with a more resilient alternative. Engineered to withstand various environmental challenges, including dirt, rocks, lightning, and water, this upgraded cable infrastructure promises enhanced durability and longevity, further bolstering the region’s electric infrastructure.
The successful completion of these service reliability projects underscores Potomac Edison’s commitment to delivering robust and dependable electric service to its customers in Western Maryland. By embracing smart grid technologies and investing in infrastructure upgrades, the utility is not only enhancing resilience but also laying the foundation for a more sustainable and efficient electric grid. As the region prepares to face future challenges, these initiatives position Western Maryland to navigate disruptions with greater agility and resilience, ensuring uninterrupted access to essential electric services for residents and businesses alike.
for more information Western Maryland Electric Grid Stronger and More Resilient Following Smart Enhancements (prnewswire.com)
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Jay Ferguson
Who I Am
My name is Jay Ferguson, and I am a lifelong resident of the Deep Creek Lake area. I am also co-owner of the real estate side of Taylor Made. I have been in the real estate business for 21+ years now and I LOVE what I do! I have to say, my career really took off when I co-founded the real estate side of Taylor Made in 2014. Its been an amazing experience, building a real estate company from the ground up and achieving so much so quickly! In August 2016, we purchased Long & Foster Real Estate Deep Creek, where I had started my career in 2000. In 2018, we on-boarded virtually every agent from Coldwell Banker Deep Creek Realty as they closed up shop and the real estate family grew even more! We now have over 40 sales agents and have expanded to West Virginia and Pennsylvania, as well. Taylor Made is the #1 vacation rental company at Deep Creek with over 475 vacation rental homes, and over one hundred thousand yearly visitors. Its amazing what we have accomplished using the principles of honesty, teamwork and customer service!
Personally, my wife Jessica and I enjoy traveling and especially spending time in the outdoors, hiking and exploring the many diverse areas that Garrett County is naturally blessed with. We have raised two wonderful children here, Kayleah (22) and Noah (13). In the summer, we love spending time on the water with friends & family and enjoying the lake life! We are both active in our church, our community & local school activities, and we fill our schedule with plenty of volunteer efforts. I currently serve on the board of directors for Habitat for Humanity. I am proud to say that I was named Deep Creek Time’s Favorite ‘Community Champion’ in 2019. I was also named Garrett County Realtor of the Year in 2018-19, as well.
I really enjoy promoting my hometown. I am very proud of the resort area that has developed over my lifetime and look forward to growing the area even more! Deep Creek Lake has been described as ‘The Lake Tahoe of the east', and I think that speaks volumes about the potential to own property here! Deep Creek Lake isn't really a town or city by itself; it's comprised of three towns: Oakland, Swanton & McHenry, Maryland. I am very passionate about my hometown and am impressed with how many people know about it as we travel around the country. Deep Creek Lake is an amazing place to visit and even better place to live! During the pandemic in 2020, our market exploded and more and more people left their primary residence in the city to live here permanently. With distance learning in schools and tele-commuting becoming the ‘norm’, many more people were drawn to the area to ‘live where they love to play’.
Why You Want Me Working for You: In addition to being an owner, I am consistently one of the top-producing agents in the entire area and the Associate Broker of record for Taylor-Made Deep Creek Vacations & Sales. I have 21+ years of experience and I am a problem solver. There aren’t many situations that I have not encountered and I have a strategy for almost every scenario that you may encounter. I
have extensively trained in all areas of real estate & emerging technologies, and also have trained as an appraiser, as well as served as a full-time Broker. I have a strong knowledge of the industry, as well as many trusted local contacts & affiliations that allow me to perform at a very high level and deliver results. I have a great deal of respect for my peers in this industry and have strong working relationships that I would love to put to work for you.
Call me to discuss your situation - I know I can be of great service to you & others you care about!
Honesty. Integrity. Results.
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