America’s utility industry is undergoing the biggest changes it’s faced in over 100 years. See board meetings and agendas. View RPU’s mission, vision, core values and focus areas.
Here's what you need to know:
Riverside Public Utilities is gearing up for big challenges facing the entire utility industry. These include aging infrastructure, climate change and new government regulations aimed at curbing its impact, the use of new technology, workforce development issues surrounding the baby boomer retirement wave and skills training for new workers, and threats to RPU’s financial health.
To tackle these issues, RPU has developed Utility 2.0 – a 10-year plan that re-imagines the way we serve Riverside. Below is a brief overview.
Aging Infrastructure
Utility 2.0 accelerates the replacement of aging infrastructure.
The Problem
Every utility in the nation is facing old or aging infrastructure, utility equipment that was installed during the postwar baby boom.
These crucial systems need to be repaired or replaced.
New Technology
Technology is evolving fast – Utility 2.0 helps RPU keep up.
The Problem
New technology and The Internet of Things is forever changing the utility business. This technology improves not just utility operations, but the overall customer experience, and RPU needs to stay on top of this trend.
The Solution
Technology for the utility sector is evolving fast, and Utility 2.0 will allow RPU to keep up. Power line sensors and new computer systems will reduce outage times in Riverside and offer a range of operational benefits that will improve the customer experience. See the Utility 2.0 Technology Plan.
Climate Change
Utility 2.0 will find new ways to assess climate change including harnessing the power of solar energy and moving toward a future of clean energy.
The Problem
The challenges of climate change are causing utilities and their customers to conserve more and more energy while getting less of it from coal. Water utilities are facing a similar challenge, and with California’s drought, many cities in our state are searching for new ways to develop new water supplies.
Workforce Development
We’re developing a tech-driven workforce with Utility 2.0.
The Problem
Baby boomers are leaving the workforce in record numbers while new workers need to develop new technology skills to do their jobs effectively.
The Solution
With Utility 2.0, RPU will strategically prepare its workforce for this historic transition and avoid disruptions in productivity and service. Read the Utility 2.0 Workforce Development Roadmap.
Thriving Financially
Utility 2.0 – helping make our future brighter.
View the Utility 2.0 Strategic Plan.
The Problem
The Edison Electric Institute (EEI) reported in 2013 that “Recent technological and economic changes are expected to challenge and transform the electric utility industry.” Riverside’s utility needs to remain nimble in the face of these new financial challenges.
The Solution
A 10-year financial plan has been developed to determine the impacts to the utility of all changes needed to thrive financially. The plan provides an overview of impacts to rates, reserve levels and bond coverage ratios. See the Utility 2.0 Thriving Financially Roadmap. Read the Thriving Financially Development Roadmap.