1. Value of High Speed Communications to the Grid and the Community
Lee Ayers
Vice President of Engineering
Mid-Carolina Electric Cooperative, Inc.

2. Mid-Carolina Electric Cooperative, Inc.
55,000 meters
4,200 miles of line
~1000 square mile territory
GPON ISP in 5 counties
Near Columbia, SC

3. History of Distribution System Communications
Analog Leased Lines for SCADA
Ghz Analog Microwave and 900 Mhz Analog MAS for SCADA
Leased 56k Frame Relay for SCADA and AMI
Private single mode fiber optic network for SCADA / AMI
Begin construction of Drop Ready FttM

4. What Led to FttM Small sporadic additions to existing fiber plant
Changed all hydraulic reclosers to electronic
250 recloser locations, less than 100 connected to SCADA
Needed more connectivity
But how far to go, where to stop
Aging AMI technology and infrastructure

5. Lessons Learned Along the Way
Be careful when choosing “Tried and True” technology
Always consider more than today’s needs and requirements
Consider more capacity than anticipated
IP, IP, and IP
Fill it up
Capacity will reveal solutions to unknown problems

6. Why Drop Ready FttM
As deep as could be built into the distribution network
What will Next Gen AMI look like?
AMI data returned to member in near real time
Unserved and Underserved members
How to pay for network plant

7. Could MCEC be an ISP? Yes, But!!! How to provide ISP
A new cooperative!
CarolinaConnect Cooperative

8. Outside Plant Design Follow the power Standard cables and hardware
ADSS in Supply Space
Splice cases and multi-ports brought down pole
Distributed split GPON
CO / ONT at existing substations

9. Develop Standards Design Cable, hardware, and connectivity
Construction
O&M including restoration
Scalable deployment

10. The Future
Limitless with fiber

11. Questions?