Unlocking the Key to Sustainable Power in West Palm Beach
In the heart of South Florida, a quiet revolution is unfolding, transforming the way residents and businesses in West Palm Beach power their lives. It’s a story of innovation, technology, and a relentless pursuit of a greener future – one that promises to not only reduce energy costs but also pave the way for a more sustainable tomorrow.
A Visionary’s Journey
Meet Margie Sweezer-Fischer, a true trailblazer in the world of energy. From a young age, Margie’s fascination with science and technology was kindled by a life-changing field trip to Fermilab, where she witnessed the wonders of particle physics firsthand. “That day shaped my interest in science and technology,” she recalls. “It painted a vivid picture of what is possible when human creativity meets technology.”
Margie’s journey continued at Tuskegee University, where she excelled in electrical engineering, leading to her current role as the Vice President of Operations at NextEra Energy Transmission. In this position, Margie is not just transmitting electricity – she’s transmitting a vision of a cleaner and more sustainable future.
Revolutionizing the Smart Grid
Margie’s innovative spirit has already left an indelible mark on the energy landscape of Florida. In 2014, her visionary leadership helped revolutionize Florida Power & Light Company’s (FPL) smart grid, a subsidiary of NextEra Energy. By unlocking the potential of smart meters and implementing intelligent devices, Margie and her team empowered FPL to have complete control of its electric grid from a remote location.
“Now FPL can fix issues automatically at the touch of a button or prior to a customer even seeing an issue,” Margie explains. “This helped reduce outages not only during a typical day but especially during adverse weather conditions like the hurricanes and tropical storms Florida is prone to, making FPL the most reliable electric utility in America seven out of the eight years following.”
Redefining Wind Turbine Efficiency
Margie’s pioneering spirit doesn’t stop there. She and a small team of NextEra Energy engineers have filed a patent for an AI control system that they co-invented for wind turbines, making them more efficient than ever before.
“It monitors wind speed and direction and uses machine learning to adjust how the turbine should be positioned to maximize power generation,” Margie reveals. “It’s interesting because I’ve had a chance to serve in the full scope of what it means to generate power and deliver it to customers.”
Strengthening the Backbone of Clean Energy
As Vice President of Operations for NextEra Energy Transmission, Margie is now leading the charge to revolutionize power transmission across the nation. She recognizes that for communities to truly reap the benefits of renewable energy, the country needs thousands of miles of new high-voltage transmission lines that would span multiple states.
“Growth in transmission is essential in order for us to manage the growth that’s happening on the renewables side,” Margie emphasizes. “It’s the key to unlock our industry’s shift to clean energy.”
Under Margie’s guidance, NextEra Energy Transmission has expanded into Canada as well as various states across the nation, including California, Nevada, Oklahoma, Kansas, Illinois, Kentucky, Indiana, and New York. But this is more than just a simple expansion – it’s a vision of a cleaner and more sustainable future.
Innovating for Resilience
Margie and her team are not just building transmission lines; they’re designing them with the future in mind. NextEra Energy Transmission has introduced innovative designs, including seismic isolators for electrical equipment during earthquakes and galloping mitigation devices for icy events, ensuring that the system stays up and running no matter the weather.
“This is critical because transmission infrastructure can be subject to extreme weather events like hurricanes, earthquakes, elevated normal temperatures, blizzards, and more,” Margie explains. “We’re not only improving our operations but also scaling transmission across North America that is stronger and smarter.”
Empowering Local Communities
Margie’s commitment to clean energy and sustainable power doesn’t stop at the transmission lines. She is also championing the integration of digital technologies, smart sensors, and data analytics into transmission systems, offering real-time monitoring and predictive maintenance for improved reliability.
“It’s great because we know what our north star is and the direction that we need to go,” Margie says. “We know that transitioning into wind, sun, and other renewable sources is not only great for the environment but necessary for the generations that are coming behind us.”
This forward-thinking approach has a direct impact on the local communities that NextEra Energy Transmission serves. The East-West Tie transmission project, for example, has come to symbolize prosperity for indigenous communities along the north shore of Lake Superior.
The Future is Bright
As Margie Sweezer-Fischer continues to lead the charge in revolutionizing West Palm Beach’s electrical efficiency, the future looks brighter than ever. With innovative technologies, a relentless pursuit of sustainability, and a deep commitment to empowering local communities, NextEra Energy Transmission is poised to transform the way we power our lives.
FindLocalElectric.com is proud to be at the forefront of this clean energy revolution, connecting residents and businesses in West Palm Beach with the latest energy-saving solutions and the experts who can bring them to life. Together, we’re unlocking a future where efficiency, affordability, and sustainability go hand in hand.
