Case Study: Control Room Transformation for Middle Tennessee Electric

Background:

Middle Tennessee Electric (MTE), is one of the largest electric cooperatives in Tennessee, serving 750,000 members through 19,000 miles of transmission lines across eight counties. MTE’s mission to provide reliable and efficient service led them to seek an upgrade for their outdated 20-year-old control room. The goal was to implement the latest technology and enhance operational efficiency for their team. With a constrained budget and a short four-month timeline for the project, MTE turned to Evans for a solution. 

Challenges:

• Outdated Facilities: The original control room was built 20 years ago, with basic technology that could not keep up with modern data tracking and operational demands. 
• Limited Budget: The client had a strict budget that had to be utilized by the end of the fiscal year.
• Space Constraints: The room’s layout was not wide enough for the client’s initially preferred U-shaped console design. 
• Operational Efficiency: The legacy operator workstations were unstable, and haphazard movements were causing disruptions during operations. 
  
  

Needs and Requirements:

• Stability and Reliability: Unlike their workstations that shook with every movement, the client required solid consoles that remained steady during use. 
• Ergonomic Design: Operators needed a workspace that allowed them to work efficiently and comfortably for long hours.
• Flexibility: An adaptable sit-stand feature was essential for operators who often work 12-to-16-hour shifts, allowing them to adjust their posture and reduce physical strain, and the consoles needed to include individual environmental control features to increase operator comfort. 
• Efficient Use of Space: The design needed to maximize the use of available space while ensuring each operator had sufficient personal space to work without feeling crowded. 

Solutions Provided: 

1. Customized Consoles: Evans designed heavy-duty, reinforced console's purpose built to fit the room’s dimensions perfectly. These consoles have advanced cable management systems, ensuring a clutter-free and organized workspace.
2. Stability and Durability: The consoles provided by Evans are engineered to remain stable, allowing operators to take calls, use radios, and work on keyboards without any shaking or instability.
3. Ergonomic Design: Instead of the original U-shaped design, Evans recommended and designed a straight console with a scalloped work surface. This design choice provided each operator with a personal workspace and enhanced comfort and productivity. It also accommodated the room’s spatial constraints.
4. Sit-Stand Feature: The new consoles include a sit-stand option, which is crucial for operators working long shifts and those with back issues. This feature allows operators to adjust their workstations according to their comfort needs.
5. Technology Integration: The consoles were designed to integrate seamlessly with modern technology, supporting multiple monitors and ensuring easy access to all necessary controls and data. 

The Evans process includes a few different steps, and we handle everything from start to finish. 

• Design  — The overall design included ergonomic and spatial considerations to maximize efficiency and comfort.
• Construction  — Our project management team was there every step of the way, from project drawings to delivery and installation plans.
• Installation — We ensured that the client could benefit from our live cutover installation to ensure your operations continued uninterrupted.
• Maintenance  — Even after installation, we are there to keep your consoles aligned, replace parts, and clean everything from cables to equipment.

“The sales manager let me choose what we needed. He didn’t design something and tell us ‘this is what you need,’ he listened to what I told him our requirements were. When I asked three other console providers for designs, they didn’t meet my expectations. Evans did.” 

Shawn Futrell -  Middle Tennessee Electric

Scope of Work:

• Consoles: Evans provided seven Response NEXTGen™ sit-stand consoles, each custom-built according to the client’s vision.
• Control Room Design: The overall design includes ergonomic and spatial considerations to maximize operator comfort, allowing them to maintain focus when performing tasks.

Console Features: 

• Eight monitors
• Slatwall single tier monitor arm
• Envirolinc™ touchscreen controller
• KVM switch
• CPUs
• Slatwall Z-bar Task Light
• Desktop power grommet
• Cavity light
• Base slide-out shelf
• Rear heater 
  
  

Implementation Process:

The sales manager at Evans worked closely with MTE, listening to their needs and preferences. This collaborative approach allowed the client to choose the features that best suited their requirements, resulting in a customized solution that provided the latest control room technology which enhanced operational efficiency for their team.

The adaptable control room design, combined with Evans’ comprehensive portfolio of clients, quickly gained the approval of the executive team at MTE. The CEO, upon seeing the design alongside Evans’ client list, was immediately impressed and approved the project. 

Outcomes:

• Enhanced Operator Interaction: The new design allows operators to see the video wall clearly, even if someone in front is standing, improving situational awareness and communication.
• Increased Comfort and Efficiency: The sit-stand feature has significantly improved operator comfort, essential for long shifts. Operators can now adjust their workstations to suit their needs, reducing physical strain and enhancing productivity.
• Positive Feedback: The new consoles have significantly improved working conditions, making operators happier and more efficient. The stability of the consoles has eliminated previous disruptions, allowing operators to focus on their tasks without distraction.

Watch a video testimonial from our client - Shawn Futrell.

Want more stories like this one? Read the Nicolette County Case Study.