Grid Investments Enable Quick Response to Hurricane Debby
Duke Energy's advanced technology and grid strengthening efforts enabled a swift response to Hurricane Debby, restoring power to most customers within 24 hours. Key investments include:
1. Grid strengthening measures: Vegetation trimming, underground placement of outage-prone lines, and upgrading poles and wires.
2. Smart, self-healing technology: Saved over 500,000 hours of outage time and automatically restored ~150,000 customer outages.
3. Flood walls: Protecting critical substations from flooding.
4. Year-round storm preparations: Staging crews and resources near affected areas.
These efforts resulted in power restoration for 93% of Florida customers and 95% of Carolinas customers within 24 hours of Debby's arrival in each area.
Le tecnologie avanzate di Duke Energy e gli sforzi per rafforzare la rete hanno consentito una risposta rapida all'uragano Debby, ripristinando l'energia per la maggior parte dei clienti entro 24 ore. Gli investimenti chiave includono:
1. Misure di rafforzamento della rete: potatura della vegetazione, posa sotterranea delle linee soggette a interruzioni e potenziamento di pali e cavi.
2. Tecnologia intelligente e autoriparativa: ha salvato oltre 500.000 ore di tempo di interruzione e ha ripristinato automaticamente ~150.000 interruzioni per i clienti.
3. Muri contro le inondazioni: protezione delle sottostazioni critiche dalle inondazioni.
4. Preparazioni per tempeste durante tutto l'anno: posizionamento di squadre e risorse vicino alle aree colpite.
Questi sforzi hanno portato al ripristino dell'energia per il 93% dei clienti in Florida e il 95% dei clienti nelle Carolinas entro 24 ore dall'arrivo di Debby in ciascuna area.
La tecnología avanzada de Duke Energy y los esfuerzos por fortalecer la red permitieron una rápida respuesta al huracán Debby, restableciendo la energía a la mayoría de los clientes en 24 horas. Las inversiones clave incluyen:
1. Medidas de fortalecimiento de la red: poda de vegetación, colocación subterránea de líneas propensas a cortes y modernización de postes y cables.
2. Tecnología inteligente y auto-reparable: ahorró más de 500,000 horas de tiempo de corte y restauró automáticamente ~150,000 cortes de clientes.
3. Muros contra inundaciones: protección de estaciones de transformación críticas de inundaciones.
4. Preparaciones para tormentas durante todo el año: posicionamiento de equipos y recursos cerca de las áreas afectadas.
Estos esfuerzos resultaron en la restauración de energía para el 93% de los clientes en Florida y el 95% de los clientes en las Carolinas dentro de las 24 horas siguientes a la llegada de Debby a cada área.
Duke Energy의 고급 기술과 전력망 강화 노력 덕분에 허리케인 데비에 신속하게 대응할 수 있었으며 대부분의 고객에게 24시간 이내에 전원을 복구할 수 있었습니다. 주요 투자 항목은 다음과 같습니다:
1. 전력망 강화 조치: 식물 관리, 정전 취약선의 지하 배치 및 전신주 및 전선의 업그레이드.
2. 스마트 자가 치유 기술: 50만 시간을 초과하는 정전 시간을 절약하고 약 15만 건의 고객 정전을 자동으로 복구했습니다.
3. 홍수 방지벽: 비 오는 날 주요 변전소를 보호합니다.
4. 연중 내내 폭풍 준비: 영향을 받는 지역 근처에 팀과 자원을 배치합니다.
이러한 노력으로 플로리다의 93% 고객과 캐롤라이나의 95% 고객에게 데비가 각 지역에 도착한 지 24시간 이내에 전력이 복구되었습니다.
La technologie avancée de Duke Energy et les efforts de renforcement du réseau ont permis une réponse rapide à l'ouragan Debby, rétablissant l'électricité pour la plupart des clients en moins de 24 heures. Les investissements clés incluent:
1. Mesures de renforcement du réseau : élagage de la végétation, placement souterrain des lignes sujettes aux coupures et modernisation des poteaux et fils.
2. Technologie intelligents et autoréparante : a permis d'économiser plus de 500 000 heures de temps de coupure et a automatiquement rétabli ~150 000 interruptions de clients.
3. Murs anti-inondation : protection des sous-stations critiques contre les inondations.
4. Préparations aux tempêtes toute l'année : positionnement des équipes et des ressources près des zones touchées.
Ces efforts ont permis de rétablir l'alimentation électrique pour 93 % des clients en Floride et 95 % des clients dans les Carolines dans les 24 heures suivant l'arrivée de Debby dans chaque zone.
Die fortschrittlichen Technologien von Duke Energy und die Bemühungen zur Stärkung des Stromnetzes ermöglichten eine schnelle Reaktion auf den Hurrikan Debby, wodurch die Energie für die meisten Kunden innerhalb von 24 Stunden wiederhergestellt wurde. Wichtige Investitionen umfassen:
1. Maßnahmen zur Stärkung des Stromnetzes: Vegetationsschnitt, unterirdische Verlegung störanfälliger Leitungen sowie die Modernisierung von Masten und Kabeln.
2. Intelligente, selbstheilende Technologie: Spart über 500.000 Stunden Ausfallzeit und stellt automatisch ~150.000 Kundenstörungen wieder her.
3. Überschwemmungsschutzwände: Schutz kritischer Umspannwerke vor Überschwemmungen.
4. Ganzjährige Sturmvorsorge: Bereitstellung von Teams und Ressourcen in der Nähe betroffener Bereiche.
Diese Maßnahmen führten zur Wiederherstellung der Stromversorgung für 93 % der Kunden in Florida und 95 % der Kunden in den Carolinas innerhalb von 24 Stunden nach Debbys Ankunft in jedem Bereich.
- Rapid power restoration: 93% of Florida customers and 95% of Carolinas customers restored within 24 hours
- Smart technology saved over 500,000 hours of total outage time
- Approximately 150,000 customer outages automatically restored by self-healing technology
- 65% increase in customers served by advanced technologies over the last two years
- Deployment of over 10,000 line and tree workers, damage assessors, and support teams across Florida and the Carolinas
- Approximately 850,000 customers experienced power outages due to Hurricane Debby
Insights
Duke Energy's rapid response to Hurricane Debby showcases the effectiveness of their grid modernization efforts. The ability to restore power to 93% of Florida customers and 95% of Carolinas customers within 24 hours is impressive. Key factors contributing to this success include:
- Strategic grid strengthening measures like replacing wooden poles with reinforced steel and underground line placement
- Expansion of self-healing technology, which saved over 500,000 outage hours and automatically restored ~150,000 customer outages
- Installation of flood walls at 13 substations to mitigate flood risks
These investments not only improve storm resilience but also support the integration of new technologies like energy storage and EV charging. While the immediate benefits are clear, the long-term impact on grid reliability and operational efficiency could be substantial, potentially leading to reduced maintenance costs and improved customer satisfaction.
Duke Energy's investments in grid resilience demonstrate a forward-thinking approach to risk management and operational efficiency. The rapid power restoration after Hurricane Debby likely translates to reduced revenue loss and lower emergency repair costs. Key financial implications include:
- Potential for lower storm-related expenses, improving the company's bottom line
- Enhanced regulatory goodwill, which could facilitate favorable rate case outcomes
- Improved investor confidence due to demonstrated operational excellence
While the initial capital expenditure for these upgrades is significant, the long-term benefits in terms of reduced outage costs, improved reliability and customer retention could provide a strong return on investment. Investors should view this as a positive indicator of Duke Energy's commitment to sustainable, long-term value creation.
Duke Energy's proactive approach to climate resilience is commendable. Their investments in grid strengthening and smart technologies are important adaptations to the increasing frequency and intensity of major storms. Key observations:
- The 65% increase in customers served by self-healing technologies over two years shows rapid progress in modernization
- Flood walls at substations demonstrate learning from past flood events, enhancing long-term resilience
- Integration of renewable energy sources and EV infrastructure alongside resilience measures indicates a holistic approach to energy transition
This strategy not only improves immediate storm response but also positions Duke Energy well for future climate challenges. However, continuous investment and adaptation will be necessary as climate impacts evolve. The company's ability to balance these investments with affordability for customers will be important for long-term success.
NORTHAMPTON, MA / ACCESSWIRE / September 4, 2024 / Duke Energy:
Advanced technology and year-round grid strengthening work help Duke Energy restore power for most customers within 24 hours
By Gina DiPietro
When Hurricane Debby unleashed its fury on Florida and then carved a path through the Carolinas as a tropical storm, Duke Energy's swift response was a testament to the power of preparation.
Grid strengthening measures and advanced technologies helped more than 10,000 line and tree workers in the field restore power to most customers within 24 hours of Debby's arrival in each service area.
Here's how our investments are keeping communities resilient amid another storm season:
Strengthening the grid to reduce storm impacts
The company makes strategic upgrades year-round to strengthen the energy grid, reduce outages and restore power faster for customers. Crews trim vegetation near power lines and strategically place outage-prone lines underground to minimize recurring disruptions for customers.
Duke Energy is also upgrading poles and wires to better withstand severe weather impacts; ongoing improvements include replacing wooden transmission poles with reinforced steel and installing stronger wires in some coastal and wind-vulnerable areas.
These infrastructure improvements will also help the company expand its power transmission capacity, important to meeting an extraordinary increase in demand for electricity, as well as innovative technologies like energy storage, electric vehicles and at-home charging stations.
Smart technology minimizes customer disruptions
As major storms become more frequent and intense, Duke Energy continues to expand its network of smart, self-healing technology. It works a lot like the GPS in your car - rerouting power around problems to reduce outage time for customers the way a GPS reroutes drivers around traffic accidents to avoid long delays.
More than half of customers are served by self-healing and automated restoration capabilities across six states. That represents around a
During this latest storm, the company's self-healing technology saved more than 500,000 hours of total outage time and automatically restored approximately 150,000 customer outages. A more resilient electric grid also frees up line teams and other essential workers who assist with storm response.
Duke Energy restored
"We know how much our customers depend on us to safely restore power quickly as possible after a major storm, and we appreciated their patience and support as we responded to power outages from Hurricane Debby," said Scott Batson, senior vice president and chief power grid officer at Duke Energy. "Our crews worked through challenging conditions to deliver on those expectations, and we are grateful for the combined efforts of employees and contractors, many of whom traveled from out of state, to assist communities impacted by the storm."
Flood walls in place to help keep substations dry
When Tropical Storm Debby made its way up the coast, flood walls were ready to help keep flood-prone substations in the Carolinas dry. Crews were prepared, too, with equipment and remote technology that enables them to monitor and access equipment during storms.
Substations are a critical part of the grid - they take the electricity carried by high-voltage lines from a power plant and convert it to a lower voltage compatible with smaller power lines in communities. If a substation is down, it can mean power outages for thousands of people.
With lessons learned from back-to-back historic floods across eastern North Carolina and the Pee Dee region of South Carolina in 2016 and 2018, the company reinforced substations and essential equipment around 13 substation perimeters in recent years.
Upgrades include flood barriers made of reinforced high-density polyethylene, and pumps inside the walled-off area help drain away rainwater, while stairs over the wall allow substation technicians to get safely inside if approaching by boat.
Year-round storm preparations
The company also credits its rapid response to Debby to year-round storm preparations and decades of lessons learned and key collaborations with state, local and community response agencies.
Ahead of the storm, crews and resources were staged near likely affected areas to allow for a quick and safe response to potential outages. In addition to its convoy of local crews, Duke Energy was able to draw on other resources from its service territories in Indiana, Kentucky and Ohio, as well as contractors.
In total, more than 10,000 line and tree workers, damage assessors and support teams deployed across Florida and the Carolinas, working alongside power plant workers, grid operators and storm response teams to restore power to around 850,000 customers in those states.
"Our goal is always to be ready to respond when a storm strikes," Batson said, "and the combination of our people, advanced technology and a storm response process that we work to improve after every storm helps us maintain that readiness to serve our customers effectively when they count on us most."
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SOURCE: Duke Energy
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