NOVEC places a high value on putting proven technology to work in our daily business. We endeavor to implement cost-effective technologies that improve productivity, reduce expenses, enhance reliability or in some other way benefit customers.

Fiber Optics

Since we first began installing fiber optic lines in 1995, NOVEC’s fiber network has grown steadily, as we expand the system to serve both our internal communication needs as well as to provide a valuable service to local businesses and produce a revenue stream for NOVEC. Today, our 143-mile internal fiber optic network provides data and voice communications for all of our offices, as well as with 33 of our 53 substations. Distributed Network Protocol 3 technology installed at a number of NOVEC substations improves system reliability and reduces expenses.

To increase the value of our internal fiber network, NOVEC has been leasing its excess fiber capacity since 2000. In 2008, NOVEC Solutions, a wholly owned subsidiary of NOVEC, began leasing our fiber network to offer optical services to large business and government customers in Northern Virginia and the District of Columbia. In one partnership, NS utilizes NOVEC’s leased fiber to cross connect its optical service network with hundreds of other carriers across the country at Equinix, an internet carrier-class data center in Ashburn, VA. Nearly 80 percent of the world’s internet traffic passes through this hub.

Since preparing for Y2K, NOVEC has utilized satellite phone technology during natural and man-made emergencies when ground-based communication towers have been knocked out, or in remote locations where other communication tools are useless. Satellite phones use orbiting satellites instead of cell towers to connect with main phone lines and are not susceptible to earthly disasters. This year, NOVEC replaced its aging satellite phone with a state-of-the-art system and added a mobile unit to the fixed-station satellite phone.

NOVEC’s interactive voice response phone system continues to prove itself worthy, processing more than 16,000 calls during major snow storms, enabling staff to more quickly process outage reports and dispatch crews. NOVEC’s online outage map allows customers and the news media to view real-time outage status reports and estimated service restoration times.

Wireless Technology NOVEC uses the Polaris Workforce system, a wireless internet technology that utilizes mobile laptops to give field workers immediate access to Miss Utility locate requests, meter connect and disconnect orders, automated meter readings, and other electric meter service requirements. The Polaris system saves at least 30 work hours per day and a minimum of $540 per day compared to the previous paper-based process, and has reduced data errors and virtually eliminated lost paperwork.

Information Technology

A major IT project culminated in 2006, with the implementation of our new geographical information, utility design, and work management systems. These fully integrated systems provide complete automation for several formerly manual processes in the distribution design and mapping areas. This multi-faceted system will provide improved information exchange, enhanced customer service and more consistent design practices, with the potential to reduce by 80 percent the process time required for large design jobs along with a 25 percent reduction in labor hours.

Cell Tower Attachments NOVEC seized an opportunity to partner with Milestone Communications to market the property surrounding our substations and poles to companies needing cell towers, co-locating cell antennas on existing structures wherever possible. With the demand for cellular service continuing to grow, NOVEC's customer-owners benefit by sharing the revenue stream received from cellular companies leasing the facilities. Staying up-to-date on this and other technology is an important priority to NOVEC.