Within an industry landscape that increasingly favors renewable energy options, Rising Edge Group, a major contributor to green energy infrastructure across North America, emerges as a force to be reckoned with. President, Jason King, outlines his company’s burgeoning success.
AT THE CUTTING EDGE OF ENERGY
As the world’s energy sector continues to evolve, industry players face both challenges and opportunities in the widespread push towards green energy.
While undertaking significant work to implement effective, sustainable electrical infrastructure, utilities across North America are expected to maintain or even improve the reliability of power.
One such company that has become increasingly aware of its role in the green energy evolution is Rising Edge Group (Rising Edge), a high-voltage electrical contractor providing full-scale engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) solutions within the energy industry.
Founded in 2002, the business has been in operation for over 21 years, initially providing commissioning and testing services for major utility clients in Alberta, Canada such as ATCO Energy, AltaLink Management LP, EnMax, and more.
“As we developed, our top-tier commissioning and testing services quickly confirmed our status as a competent, qualified, and knowledgeable contractor,” introduces President, Jason King.
This led to the company’s clients supporting its growth to include additional substation-related services like EPC.
Facilitated by its burgeoning success, Rising Edge expanded its service territory from the west coast of Canada to the east before beginning to serve locations in the US.
Having grown from only a small handful of employees to a 500-strong team of professionals, Rising Edge currently boasts locations across North America, including Calgary, Edmonton, Regina, St. John’s, Labrador City, Fredericton, Newport Beach, and Raleigh.
Providing unparalleled client services and solutions to assist in the fortification of high-voltage electrical infrastructure in North America, the company is founded on the principles of client-centric solutions, exceptional customer service, and a robust safety culture.
“At Rising Edge, we continue to lead and grow our organizations with these principles at the forefront of every decision we make,” King proudly adds.
A COMPETITIVE EDGE
Rising Edge’s clientele today consists of large-scale utilities, renewable energy developers, oil and gas operators, and industrial customers.
These include, but are not limited to, Southern California Edison (SCE), Berkshire Hathaway, AltaLink Management LP, Newfoundland and Labrador Hydro (NL Hydro), RES, NextEra Energy, Suncor, Mosaic, and Iron Ore Company of Canada.
To effectively serve its clients, Rising Edge’s vast plethora of services includes EPC for high-voltage electrical assets, substations, and transmission and distribution networks. It also provides facility maintenance and turnarounds, panel fabrication, e-house manufacturing, and grid fortification.
“Our competitive edge is felt through the efficiency of our integrated processes and applications, which directly impact a project’s execution and lifecycle,” King prides.
Rising Edge recognizes that each project must be accurately planned, scheduled, resourced, managed, tracked, and documented, which is critical for completion and meeting client standards and specifications.
“Ensuring we meet their contractual obligations by providing complete, on-time, and on-budget services is paramount,” he emphasizes.
Other competitive advantages that set the company apart include its integrated systems, robust safety and quality program, and consistent project management cycle.
“Our integrated systems give clients the ability to analyze and assess a project throughout its lifecycle by yielding real-time data outputs that accurately display the actual cost of a project in its initial stages, when under construction, and when forecast for completion,” King reveals.
This can be attributed to the integration of advanced software and programs that interact to provide an efficient flow of data.
Safety is equally at the core of Rising Edge and entrenched in its culture, as evidenced by the organization’s exceptional, long-established track record of safely delivering projects that comply with regulatory requirements and meet client expectations.
“This is managed through a robust quality program that houses a large library of procedures and best practices where all work is inspected and approved against our internal standards,” he details.
In addition, Rising Edge understands that every project is unique and presents different challenges; ensuring the project lifecycle is consistent, repeatable, and flexible is therefore crucial to its successful management.
As such, the company has developed a unique proprietary software application that standardizes project management for maximum efficiency.
“Our competitive edge is felt through the efficiency of our integrated processes and applications, which directly impact a project’s execution and lifecycle”
Jason King, President, Rising Edge Group
A RENEWABLE REVOLUTION
As North America witnesses a considerable evolution in renewable energy, King notes the responsibilities that utilities and contractors have in effectively implementing green infrastructure.
“Renewable energy is rapidly changing everything, from the way we generate power to the way we operate the grid. As such, there is a lot of work to be done and I firmly believe that all players within the industry are up for the challenge.”
King outlines how the energy sector requires contractors to execute projects within wind, solar, and battery electrical storage systems (BESS) and connect new energy solutions to the grid.
He also points out how additional contractors will be required to support anticipated grid upgrades, which will ensure it can handle new forms of energy.
“The responsibility is not just on the contractors – suppliers are also needed to manufacture critical equipment while utility companies must understand how to operate the grid with new inputs and upgraded systems,” he adds.
The list of parties that support the widespread implementation of renewable energy is endless, and the industry is therefore actively innovating and improving its products, services, and solutions in response.
However, despite the numerous benefits provided by renewables, they also present a degree of uncertainty due to the inability to control sources such as wind or solar power.
Additionally, given the geographic location of many renewable energy sources, extensive transmission lines will be required to transport energy, while back-up generation from combustion sources will be required to provide a consistent supply during periods of increased consumption.
To address this, and present solutions to overcome the potential barriers of widespread renewables usage, the global energy sector is developing new storage ideas, batteries, hydro pumps, and hydrogen capabilities.
“The rapid advancement of renewable energy technologies is driving innovation, economic growth, and creating new job opportunities,” King excites.
As Rising Edge continues to invest in renewable energy infrastructure, it is not only playing a role in building a cleaner and more sustainable future but also ensuring the long-term viability and resilience of North America’s energy systems.
STAFF AT THE CENTER
Rising Edge’s motto is ‘our people are the business’.
With 500 active members and counting, each therefore plays an integral role in contributing to the company’s success.
“We don’t sell gadgets or goods; we sell our service, which places importance on the people at the core of our business,” King asserts.
The staff at Rising Edge are empowered by the knowledge that their work directly contributes to the success of the organization. Each team member cultivates a sense of personal responsibility to participate, solve problems, communicate, and always seek ways to improve.
“Our people have a clear direction for their roles and responsibilities, and we ensure they are provided with all the tools, knowledge, and support required to be successful.”
Furthermore, leaders at every level of the company are empowered to improve processes, innovate design, and continuously adapt to offer a better service.
“Our highly skilled and knowledgeable workforce provides the best high-voltage services in the industry,” he prides.
Led by management staff with direct field experience and deep-rooted knowledge of Rising Edge’s internal practices and processes, the company collaboratively provides the highest quality workmanship.
Importantly, all Rising Edge personnel are trained, assessed, and certificated to conduct the tasks associated with their position.
“With over 20 years of industry knowledge and experience, we ensure that all personnel who continue to work with us gain experience, expertise, knowledge, and skills that are unattainable elsewhere in the marketplace,” King divulges.
To reward their hard work, the company recognizes staff contributions through various means, from personal recognition to a ‘Nectar points system’, career development opportunities, and end-of-year profit-sharing bonuses, amongst others.
SOCIALLY RESPONSIBLE
As a large industry contributor, Rising Edge recognizes that it has a duty to ensure social responsibility in the way it conducts its operations and executes projects.
“We firmly believe in making a positive impact on the communities and environments in which we operate,” King confirms.
For example, Rising Edge’s dedicated health and safety program ensures the well-being of employees, clients, and communities.
The company focuses on safety in all aspects of its operations and implements strong protocols alongside ongoing training to support employees.
In addition, Rising Edge is dedicated to environmental stewardship by minimizing its footprint and reducing its impact on the locations where it operates.
“We adhere to sustainable practices and take mitigation measures to prevent negative environmental impacts.”
Rising Edge’s corporate social responsibilities involve actively engaging with local communities, organizations, and events. The company ‘gives back’ by employing local residents, investing in colleges and universities, making charitable donations, and volunteering.
Its ethical practices include conducting each project with the highest standards and acting with integrity and accountability in every aspect.
“We adhere to all relevant laws and regulations while promoting diversity and inclusion throughout the business and maintaining open and honest communication with our stakeholders,” King explains.
PROJECTS AND BEYOND
A major part of its project portfolio, Rising Edge is currently executing three wind farms in Alberta which have the potential to be secured imminently.
The first site, a 136 megawatt (MW) facility that includes a total of 22 wind turbine generators, is located near Whitla.
“For this project, we are executing the EPC of a 138/34.5 kilovolt (kV) collector substation and 44 kilometers (km) of 34.5kV underground collector systems. We anticipate reaching project completion this year, and we’re making great progress on both elements,” King confirms.
The second solar farm project near Bow Island aims to connect an existing wind farm, currently generating 300MW, to the utility’s proposed substation.
It seeks to support a tie-in of renewable energy with the electrical grid, through which Rising Edge is responsible for the EPC of a 240/34.5kV collector substation.
“This project is nearly complete and is currently at the closeout stage for commissioning tests, quality inspections, and contract reviews.”
Rising Edge’s third wind farm project, although not located in Alberta, utilizes the province’s resources to support and execute the work. Located near Kipling, Saskatchewan, the project is developing a 200MW wind power facility.
Rising Edge’s involvement includes installing 106km of collector systems to 36 wind turbines, the EPC of a 230/34.5kV substation, material management, underground utility crossings, splicing and terminations, and testing and commissioning.
In addition, Rising Edge is participating in another large-scale solar project – a 93MW solar farm located near Drumheller.
“We are providing EPC services for the solar facility, including control building fabrication and utility connections to three 25kV lines,” King surmises.
A BRIGHT FUTURE
Amidst a stimulating industry landscape, Rising Edge cites the widespread push towards sustainable innovation as a source of increased opportunity. As a major industry player, it anticipates a bright future.
“Given our rapid movement within the renewable energy industry, it’s hard to pinpoint any one project that truly excites us – they all do,” King fondly reflects.
Continuing to fulfill its reputation as a client-centric and solutions-based organization, the company’s projects, ranging from commissioning tests to full-scale EPC wind farms, are all undertaken with the utmost care and attention to detail.
In addition, as obtaining more large-scale renewable projects in the US becomes an increasingly attractive prospect, Rising Edge is on track to secure further US contracts for 2024 and beyond.
Looking to the future, it is focused on a number of key objectives, such as supporting and growing its existing relationships with clients in both the utilities and renewables spaces.
“Over the past year, we have hired a Vice President (VP) for our operations in Eastern Canada to assist our mandate to expand in the area,” he outlines.
Since the appointment, Rising Edge has established a third office in Fredericton, New Brunswick, and continued to grow its presence in Atlantic Canada while also entering Ontario.
“Another priority is growing our footprint in the US. As we currently base our operations out of California and North Carolina, we aim to have a third office open by the end of the year and have hired a VP for our US operations to support this growth,” King concludes.
Given Rising Edge’s existing reputation for excellence and its burgeoning presence in the renewable energy sector, the industry can certainly anticipate an electrifying future.
RISING EDGE GROUP PARTNERS
