Protecting communities by hardening the grid
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Floridians were left without power during Hurricane Ian in the Fall of 2022
2.5M
Extreme weather events like hurricanes are battering our energy infrastructure. This is particularly true in the southeastern United States (US), which endures more hurricanes than any other part of the country. Due to the combination of intense summer heat and high humidity, states in the region encounter frequent lightning storms that unleash fierce winds, heavy rainfall, and storm surges.
Storms result in power outages
Extreme weather events like Hurricane Ian can be truly terrifying. Power outages can cause blackouts, food shortages, water shortages, and even the loss of human life. But there are lessons we can learn from our past experiences to help us prepare for the next big storm.
Redesigning for a changing climate
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Perform site-specific analyses to evaluate storm resiliency
Before we can begin to harden the grid, we need to figure out the locations where hardening is most necessary. Site-specific analyses are an essential step in the design process before a utility decides what type of storm hardening justifies the costs—and what best meets their needs.
The good news? The technology available today allows us to perform these analyses more quickly and produce better information than in the past.
Right now, most of the energy infrastructure in coastal communities is not designed to stand up to hurricanes or major storms. We can combat this challenge by hardening the grid. Hardening is proven to restore power more quickly after a storm and is essential to protecting seniors, families, and businesses.
Prepare existing infrastructure before the storm hits
It is also extremely important to have an action plan in place before the storm hits the shore. These kinds of plans help communities better respond to major events.
Create an action plan to prepare communities
Site-specific analyses
Harden the grid
Community action plan
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Predicting wire positions
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Identifying encroaching trees
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Determine blowout conditions
We use technology that helps us to identify how wires are positioned and how that could change under different combinations of wind.
By using a tool called WireWATCH, we can identify areas where trees and other vegetation could be encroaching on power lines.
This helps us to understand how the conductors will be affected by different conditions and combinations of wind.
One way to mitigate potential power outages is by installing the power lines underground where they are much less affected by high winds.
Install underground cables
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By identifying areas where trees and vegetation may be encroaching on power lines, we can proactively mitigate potential outages by trimming.
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Trim trees
Upgrade old wooden poles to thicker wood, concrete, or steel poles to withstand high speed winds.
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Upgrade old poles
What can we do?
Construct staging sites within a day of the storm passing to start the restoration effort immediately.
Stage sites
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Transport extra material from neighboring utilities in anticipation of an event.
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Procure resources
Prepare a massive mobilization effort for restoration personnel, trucks, equipment, and material.
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Mobilize equipment
House crews in Category 5 buildings in strategic locations ahead of the storm and provide food for crews who report on site.
Establish crews
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Arrange lodging accommodations for out of towners at local hotels.
Arrange housing
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Providing high-quality designs to keep Florida's power running
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As the planet continues to warm, we can expect extreme weather events to happen more frequently. We can also expect these events to be more severe. These adverse effects of climate change have taught us that we need to protect our power infrastructure more effectively.
Hardening the energy grid is an essential element of safeguarding our communities from the impacts of extreme weather events. By inspecting electrical assets and making the necessary adjustments beforehand, utility providers have a much better chance of keeping the lights on when the time comes.
Adapting our grid for a more resilient future
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Providing high-quality designs to keep Florida's power running
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As the planet continues to warm, we can expect extreme weather events to happen more frequently. We can also expect these events to be more severe. These adverse effects of climate change have taught us that we need to protect our power infrastructure more effectively.
Hardening the energy grid is an essential element of safeguarding our communities from the impacts of extreme weather events. By inspecting electrical assets and making the necessary adjustments beforehand, utility providers have a much better chance of keeping the lights on when the time comes.