Dropping the ball

If it fails, it could be the most publicized Y2K blunder of the new century, witnessed by more than 300 million people worldwide.

But ask Robert Hedlund, the man responsible for keeping the electrical power flowing to the Times Square New Year's Eve Ball on December 31, 1999, and he'll tell you not to worry. The ball will drop on time.

"We are comfortable where we are right now," said Hedlund, director of information technology resources at Consolidated Edison (ConEd). "Most of our programs are ahead of schedule."

Contrary to reports that the electric utility industry is lagging on Y2K conversion deadlines, the supplier of New York City's electric power has set a summer deadline for its mission critical systems to be Y2K compliant, and Hedlund anticipates his agency will meet it without a hitch.

In fact, ConEd is right in step with most other electric utilities in making steady progress battling the problem. A recent study on the electric utility industry found that 94 percent of electric distribution utilities expect to achieve overall readiness for transition to the Year 2000 by June 30, 1999, the target date recommended by the North American Electric Reliability Council, an industry watchdog organization.

The Year 2000 glitch can cause computers to read 2000 as 1900, since many older computers were programmed to read the year as a two-digit date. The bug could cause machines to either crash or transmit bad information.

Hedlund attributes ConEd's good fortune to an early jump on the technology problem back in 1995. Over the years, the power utility has spent $20 million on Y2K compliance program. The New York utility has budgeted as much as $27 million.

ConEd generates and distributes electricity for 3 million customers in a service area that covers almost all of New York City and most of Westchester County.

ConEd power plants currently have the capacity to generate almost 8.5 million kilowatts of electricity. The

Jon Arnold, CTO, Edison Electric Institute, on precautionary measures. (CNET TV video) 850K

transmission and distribution system includes almost 90,000 miles of underground cable for the world's largest underground electric cable system and 35,000 miles of overhead wires.

And during the Times Square celebration December 31, 1999, just as it has done since 1907, ConEd will provide the juice for the New Year's Eve Ball, which this year will be a dazzling orb designed and crafted by Waterford Crystal.

So far, ConEd's looking to bring in the new year smoothly.

Hedlund said that in Y2K testing of its power plants so far, all of the "problem" systems were ones that recorded data, not controlled or generated power. All but one of the plants have been tested.

Although he is sure about his company's own power plants, Hedlund admits he can't be as confident that the outside facilities that supply ConEd's purchased electricity are as prepared.

"We purchase more than we generate," Hedlund said, adding that his Y2K program managers have met with ConEd's suppliers' program leaders for what he calls "sanity checks," to see how the other power suppliers were doing.

In 1997, ConEd purchased 59 percent of the electricity it provided. In 1998, Hedlund expects that number to drop to 50 percent.

One of the suppliers for ConEd, and for a quarter of New York State, is the New York Power Authority, which has had a Y2K program management office in place since 1997.

According to New York Power's "Vision 2000 Program" communications director Joe Leary, the power authority is shooting for compliance work to be complete by this summer, with testing to continue right up until 2000.

New York's Millennium Ball

The revelers: 500,000 regularly attend the New Year's Eve Ball drop in Times Square. Another 300 million TV viewers watch festivities from home. Power to the people: The New York Power Authority generates power for 1/4 of New York State. ConEd generates and distributes electricity for all of New York City and most of Westchester County, or roughly 3.1 million people. The price of a blackout: The loss of power to a commercial or financial district could cost millions, according to sources at ConEd. Say cheese: Nine cameras provide live video broadcast from the Square, three screens in New York City provide viewers on the street with live video, and 40 giant search lights illuminate the show. Ball in the old court: Up until now the ball used was 500 pounds, 6 feet in diameter, and illuminated by 144 glitter strobe lights and 180 75-Watt halogen lamps. Stealing the show: A new ball, designed and crafted by Waterford Crystal and powered by Consolidated Edison, will make its debut next year.

Source: Times Square Business Improvement District

Despite this upbeat assessment by the two power companies, Hedlund admitted that as the clock ticks towards the end of the century, he can't take anything for granted.

"As the end of the year approaches, we'll have to develop contingency plans to see if we have to supply more electricity of our own," Hedlund said.

As for Leary, he said contingency planning at the power authority means doing it the old-fashioned way. "The control room at our large Niagara facility has the ability to manually run the plant."

Hedlund said that ConEd has begun reviewing existing contingency plans with the municipalities it services to see if a Y2K-related problem can be handled in the same way it handles other emergencies, such as a snow storm or a common brown-out.

"My gut [feeling] is that there is no difference," insisted Hedlund.

He better be sure. Nothing could be worse than an unanticipated power outage during the biggest party of the century on a cold dead-of-winter night.  

Go to: Bracing for the bug