Hurricanes, blizzards, wildfires, and thunderstorms can damage utility infrastructure and interrupt service. Grid hardening involves assessing risks, such as severe weather, and proactively strengthening and protecting infrastructure. Learn how utility companies can prepare for severe weather to prevent power interruptions and minimize recovery expenses.
Underground Select Utility Wires
In some cases, burying utility wires underground is an effective way to protect critical infrastructure. Underground utilities are protected from high winds and fallen trees, which can reduce the risk of power outages caused by storms.
Most underground lines service densely populated areas, public institutions, and emergency services such as police departments, fire stations, and hospitals. These areas need higher electrical reliability to offer community support and life-saving services.
Undergrounding Is Not Always Feasible
Undergrounding existing overhead distribution infrastructure or new transmission lines is often prohibitively expensive. The Public Service Commission of Wisconsin states in their paper “Underground Electric Transmission Lines” that constructing underground lines may cost 4 to 14 times more than overhead lines of the same voltage and distance.
Additionally, undergrounding only works in some regions. Avoid undergrounding in locations prone to flooding or that have rocky subsoil.
Replace Poles
In most cases, replacing utility poles is an effective and more practical hardening technique. Even with chemical preservatives, wood poles are subject to damage from moisture decay, fire, and pests.
Newer pole materials include concrete, metal, and composites. Installing ductile iron poles is an effective way for utility companies to prepare for severe weather.
Benefits of Ductile Iron
Ductile iron has a lower lifecycle cost than steel and concrete, making it budget-friendly for grid hardening. The poles are also strong and resist deformation, with a minimum yield strength of 42 ksi.
Ductile iron poles are impervious to rot, insects, woodpeckers, and freezing weather. They have high survivability against hurricanes, fires, and tornados.
Enhance Vegetation Management Programs
Trees and other vegetation near power lines become more dangerous during severe weather. Vegetation management involves removing unwanted plant growth near utilities.
Traditionally, utilities schedule trimming, spraying, and removal on a fixed timetable using data from the previous year’s records. However, regions are updating their approaches as the weather becomes more erratic. Geospatial technology, advanced analytics, and artificial intelligence help modern utility vegetation management programs meet demands.
Utility companies can harden the grid by undergrounding select lines, replacing poles with more durable materials, and improving vegetation management. Developing a comprehensive improvement plan minimizes the impact of severe weather and improves services.
