Why is El Paso a good location?

Excellent fiber connectivity

El Paso possesses one of the richest concentrations of fiber optic backbones among metro areas in the United States.  According to KMI Research in 2002, there were at least 60 discrete fiber backbone “access points” (existing, planned and/or proposed) connecting the El Paso/Juarez region to the rest of the North American telecommunications network.  This fiber backbone infrastructure is currently underutilized in El Paso. The region’s excellent fiber connectivity contributed to Ft Bliss’ designation as a “persistent node” on the Department of Defense’s Joint National Training Capability (JNTC) network.  The region also possesses a point of presence (POP) on the National LambdaRail system. 

   

Stable weather and geology

 

The El Paso region exhibits climatological and seismic characteristics that are suitable for the operation of mission-critical data centers. The region has no history of earthquakes, tornadoes, or hurricanes, and flooding has occurred only in limited geographic segments of the community.  Local building designs are not required to incorporate features for significant wind loads or snow loads. 

Availability of clean, reliable electricity

• Since 1999, El Paso Electric Company (EPE) has the best overall documented performance for service reliability when compared to the nine other large electric utilities in the State of Texas. 

• For the period 1999-2005, EPE ranked #1 overall in the state for performance on the System Average Interruption Frequency Index (SAIFI), averaging only 0.35 sustained service interruptions per customer per year, which is equivalent to one interruption per customer approximately every 2.9 years.  The average SAIFI for the nine other large Texas utilities for the period 1999-2005 was 1.05 interruptions, or just about one interruption per customer per year. 

• EPE also ranked #1 in the state during that same time period on the System Average Interruption Duration Index (SAIDI), averaging only 33.35 minutes of interruption per customer per year. The average SAIDI for the other nine large Texas utilities for that period was 81.68 minutes. 

• EPE will soon begin work on 288 MW of additional load to be complete in 2011.

In addition, EPE is in a strong position to accommodate new customer loads compared to most other areas in Texas and across the nation. For the 5-year period 2007-2011, EPE expects to have an average of 242 MW of available power above its annual firm peak system demand. That equates to a reserve margin above peak of approximately 16.2%. By comparison over that same forecasted 5-year period, ERCOT (Electric Reliability Council of Texas), which supplies 85% of all power in the State of Texas, expects to realize a reserve margin above peak of just 9.6% (Source: 2006 ERCOT Capacity, Demand and Reserves Report.)  Across the nation, the average projected electric generation over energy consumption margin for 2007-2011 is expected to be just 5.7% (Source: EIA Annual Energy Outlook 2006 with Projections to 2030). 

Reserve Capacity 2007-2011

El Paso Electric Company
Average annual firm peak demand	1491 MW
Average margin above firm	242 MW
Percent margin above firm	16.2%
Electric Reliability Council of Texas
Margin above firm	9.6%
United States
Energy consumption margin	5.7%

University Talent and Expertise

In combination, the University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP) and New Mexico State University (NMSU, 45 minutes north of El Paso) graduate more than 800 engineers and computer scientists each year.  In 2006, 46% of these individuals obtained degrees in either electrical engineering (EE), computer engineering (CE) or computer science.  The UTEP Engineering School also possesses core research competencies in a variety of disciplines within the field of Communications and Information Technology.  These core competencies include:

• high assurance computing
• safety critical systems
• distributed computing
• computer architectures
• computer security
• evaluation of real-time, high performance and parallel computing systems
• human-computer interaction
• runtime support for robust, self-organizing systems

 

Robust IT-Related Educational / Training Programs

 

El Paso Community College graduates more than 50 students per year in technology areas needed by mission critical data centers. 

Source: El Paso Community College, Divison of Research and Development

Updated: July 2007

Western Technical College graduates more than 70 total persons in the fields of computer technology and information technology each year.

Public Schools in El Paso

Data from the El Paso Collaborative for Academic Excellence shows strong indicators that students in El Paso public schools (particularly in the largest districts) are accelerating in high school completion rates, college entrance exam scores, math achievement and science achievement.  Each of the school districts also have specific programs and curricula that focus on science and technology. 

El Paso ISD:

• 4 –year pre-engineering program at Chapin HS
• Center for Career and Technology (CCT) offers programs in Cisco systems, internet, computer repair and engineering drafting

Ysleta ISD:

• Cyber Institute at Riverside HS—focus on 2D-3D graphics, animation, digital production, and webmaster
• Information Technology Academy at Hanks HS— focus on systems management, telecommunications, and software
• Math/Science/Engineering Academy at Parkland HS

Socorro ISD:

• Academy for Careers and Technology - multi-media
• Discovery Academy - computer technology
• Excel Academy - technical trades
• Mission Early College High School - students earn college credits while taking rigorous high school courses (college curricula) and graduate from high school with both a high school diploma and an associates degree. 

 Clint ISD:

• Information Technology Institute at Mountain View HS - prepares students for industry certifications in programs such as A+, Network Plus, and Linux.  Also prepares students for other cutting edge careers in information technology.