For Draydan Power, electrical energy is in the name and the game. He joins the City as the new Electric Utility Manager with a bright vision for the future of Penticton’s electrical grid.
With the rise of electrical vehicles and an ever-increasing demand for electricity, particularly during peak evening hours, managing the electrical needs of customers can be tricky. But it’s a challenge that makes Power light up.
“People see challenges, but I see opportunities for the customers to have a more resilient electric system,” he says. “Our province is going to have a lot more electric load going forward and it’s important to have a plan to mitigate the demand as much as possible. Yes, there will be challenges to make sure our grid can handle the electrification of buildings and transportation, but there are also opportunities.”
Born and raised in Summerland, Power is excited to return home to his roots. He joins the City from FortisBC, where he most recently was working within the Business Innovation department as the Manager of EV Infrastructure and Investment, where he became known as a regional expert on electric vehicles and the impact to electrical grids.
He developed and maintained a residential peak load mitigation program, deployed fast charger stations across 22 sites and participated in regulatory processes for rate setting and incentive programs.
Prior to that, Power worked as an electrical engineer at locations throughout the Okanagan and Kootenays.
“I had an opportunity to work in every aspect of power – from generation to distribution. I’ve designed, touched, broken and fixed every element,” he explains.
As for his new role, the Electric Utility Manager will be responsible for the day-to-day operations of Penticton’s grid, while planning for the future.
“A lot of my responsibilities involve managing the electric teams and integrating with other City groups to make sure we’re doing the best we can to serve the people of Penticton,” he says.
As for his name, Power jokingly questions whether it was “nurture or nature” that led to his passion for electricity, having decided in high school precisely which career path he would pursue. Today, Power enjoys hobbyist electronic projects as well as basketball and other outdoorsy activities, when not busy with his family, including two young kids.
About the City’s Electric Utility
The City of Penticton’s Electric Utility provides electricity to nearly 20,000 residential, commercial and industrial customers. It includes:
- 4 substations
- 4,005 power poles
- 380 km of overhead power lines
- 193 km of underground cables
- 3,505 street lights
- 40+ traffic signals
Find out more at penticton.ca/electric.
