Powering the Houston Zoo: How Absolute Ensured Reliability in Crisis

Since opening in 1922, the Houston Zoo has grown into a leader in animal care, supporting more than 6,000 animals and contributing to wildlife conservation efforts around the world. Operating a 55‑acre campus with diverse habitats and facilities requires a dependable electrical system and strong partners who help keep it functioning smoothly.

The Catalyst for Improvements

In 2020, the Zoo experienced a significant site‑wide electrical failure that affected operations across the campus. Absolute Testing Services was brought in to assess the situation, stabilize systems, and help the Zoo begin planning a modernized approach to long‑term reliability.
Multiple switch and transformer failures contributed to the outage, and with essential systems depending on uninterrupted power, timely assessment and recovery were critical. Absolute Testing provided rapid support, drawing on their emergency expertise to help restore power and mitigate further impact.

Assessment and Recovery

Absolute Testing determined that the primary issues stemmed from the Zoo’s medium‑voltage (MV) loop switches and transformers, some of which dated back several decades. As the Zoo expanded and its electrical needs increased, these aging components were placed under greater demand. Through extensive NETA-certified testing and diagnostics, Absolute Testing uncovered that 80% of the MV loop switches had exceeded their life expectancy, and a significant number of transformers needed repair. 

Building Long-Term Reliability

Absolute immediately executed a temporary power restoration plan, allowing essential Zoo operations to continue while implementing long-term corrective measures. Understanding the risks of future failures, Absolute Testing advised the Zoo on acquiring backup MV switches and spare transformers, ensuring a strong contingency plan was in place.

Following the crisis, Absolute Testing Services strived to bring the Zoo’s electrical infrastructure back to a reliable standard. Their comprehensive electrical reliability program included:

• Preventative Maintenance (PM) Services – Conducting annual and scheduled testing to detect early signs of equipment degradation before failure occurs.
• NETA-Certified Testing – Performing electrical diagnostics on transformers, switches, and cabling to ensure compliance with industry standards.
• Risk Assessment and Prioritization – Assigning reliability grading to all electrical components to determine which should be replaced or maintained for long-term reliability.
• Equipment Replacement and Upgrades – Strategically replacing outdated MV loop switches and transformers to modernize the Zoo’s power infrastructure.

Resilience

After the first year of maintenance, Absolute Testing saw a significant improvement in the Zoo’s electrical reliability. By 2023, the most critical MV switches had been replaced, and an ongoing maintenance plan was fully established. Cade Brazzil, Project Manager at Absolute, said, “Our ability to identify problems, make plans to address those problems, implement corrective actions, and create a future mitigation plan has helped in the success of the Zoo and our relationship.” 

What began as an emergency response evolved into a long-term, collaborative relationship built on trust, expertise, and a commitment to reliability. With Absolute Testing’s disaster recovery and electrical reliability maintenance services, the Houston Zoo has a proactive, NETA-aligned maintenance strategy, reducing the risk of unexpected failures and helping ensure a stable environment for guests, staff, and wildlife.

Contact us today to learn more about Absolute Testing Services' preventative and predictive maintenance programs and equip your facility for the needs of today and tomorrow. 

To learn more about how you can support the Houston Zoo’s mission to save wildlife, click here.