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Duke Energy taking measures for storm preparedness
The St. Pete energy provider has been implementing a technology that allows power to be redistributed based on outages.
Duke Energy Florida is investing heavily in a system that has the ability to decrease power outages, even in storms. Statistics show its promise.
According to the company, self-healing technology can detect outages and then reroute power to the affected lines. This can happen in a quick timeframe, even in bad weather.
With state of the art equipment such as sensors, updated communication systems and reclosers (high-voltage electric switches for power lines), Duke is able to receive real-time information from “thousands of points” on its energy grid so that fast decisions can be made to restore power to clients.
In Pinellas County alone this year, it has helped customers avoid nearly 47,000 extended outages, the organization reported.
During the 2024 hurricane season, Duke’s self-healing system had an impact. Statewide, the technology helped to save 3.3 million hours of outages during Hurricane Milton and 1.8 million hours during Hurricane Helene, according to the company.
Self-healing technology was first implemented by Duke in 2015.
Focusing on this technology is one of the key ways Duke is updating its energy grid in St. Petersburg. Approximately 90% percent of Pinellas County customers are benefiting from the system as of this year.
This, organization leaders believe, can be essential if a hurricane occurs in the area.
“We are always looking at creative, innovative and cost-effective ways to reduce outages for our customers, especially during critical times like storms,” said Duke Energy Florida general manager of power grid projects Brian Lloyd in a statement prepared for the Catalyst.
“These numbers show that the investments we’re making are truly making a difference in our customers’ lives.”
Lloyd added that the self-healing system has significantly improved how the company handles power outages.
“Before this type of technology, we had to roll a truck to restore power,” he explained. “Today’s technology allows us to restore power within seconds – automatically.”
The self-healing system joins other initiatives in the area as part of Duke’s ongoing St. Petersburg Reliability Program.
Major updates at the Vinoy and Pasadena substations are in the works. A key aspect of these projects is converting overhead lines to underground.
Duke Energy St. Petersburg Reliability Program website
