Strategies for Mitigating Power Grid Failures During Winter Storms and Blizzards

In this article:

• Explore the impact of blizzards on grids and challenges faced by electric cooperatives and utilities.
• Understand the importance of redundancy in critical components to improve grid resilience.
• Learn how advanced technologies, such as digital inspections, play a crucial role.

As anyone in the power sector knows, Mother Nature holds a wild card that can be played at any moment. For U.S. electric cooperatives and utilities, winter storms and blizzards are particularly troublesome, potentially causing power outages and escalating operational costs. America’s electric infrastructure must be resilient against these threats to provide reliable service.

The Icy Impact: Understanding the Blizzard-Grid Relationship

Blizzards can pose some challenges to our electrical grids. High-speed winds, heavy snowfall, and ice accumulations can cause physical damage to power lines, utility poles, and transformers, disrupting power supply across large areas. The increased load from heating demand during these cold spells can further strain the system, leading to a potential grid failure. 

In addition to these direct impacts, winter storms cause access difficulties for line workers, delay equipment maintenance and repairs, and escalate operational costs. Not to mention, power outages during winter storms also risk public safety and increase discomfort for electric consumers.

Identifying Redundancy and Advanced Technology Opportunities

In a consensus report published by the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine, assessing and ensuring the redundancy of critical components in the electric utility infrastructure has shown to be an effective strategy to harden electric grids. 

For example, the accumulation of ice and snow on power lines, as well as strong winds and heavy precipitation increase the risk of power line failures, which can result in widespread power outages.

To address this risk, electric utility companies may implement redundancy by having multiple transmission lines or routes connecting key areas. Instead of relying solely on a single transmission line to deliver power from a generation facility to a population center, redundant lines or alternative routes can be established. 

If one line fails due to the weight of ice, strong winds, or other storm-related factors, the redundant lines can continue to deliver electricity, helping to maintain service reliability.

Additionally, power distribution systems may include redundant substations or switching stations. These facilities play a crucial role in routing and controlling the flow of electricity, especially if one substation is affected by a storm or blizzard. Alternative pathways can be proactively installed to maintain electricity supply to the high-risk areas.

However, there are situations in which redundancy, such as building an additional transmission or distribution line, is not an option. In these cases, utilizing inspections to identify potential issues on the lines without redundancy becomes critical.

In both cases, the emphasis on digital inspections emerges as a cornerstone strategy. 

By embracing these advanced inspection techniques, electric utility companies can proactively enhance the redundancy and resilience of their infrastructure, proactively mitigating the risks associated with winter storms and blizzards.

Clearsight: Your Ally Against the Winter Storm

Given the risks posed by winter storms outlined above, electric cooperatives and utilities are turning to a more robust advanced digital inspection strategy to harden their grids against them. 

That’s where Clearsight comes in. By leveraging advanced digital inspection solutions, Clearsight helps electric cooperatives and utilities to anticipate potential issues and prepare effectively for inclement weather. 

Here’s how:

• Digital Inspection Solutions: With a fleet of drones and remote sensing technologies, Clearsight conducts regular inspections of power lines and other grid components even in difficult-to-reach areas. This provides early detection of vulnerable equipment and infrastructure that could be compromised during a blizzard, allowing for proactive repairs or replacements.
• Maintenance and Capital Planning: With a clear understanding of grid vulnerabilities, electric cooperatives and utilities can prioritize their capital and maintenance investments to harden the most critical and susceptible parts of the grid.
  

The Bottom Line

With innovative solutions, like the ones provided by Clearsight, electric cooperatives and utilities can shift from a reactive stance to a proactive strategy, significantly mitigating the impacts of winter storms on our power grids.

By investing in these digital inspection solutions, electric cooperatives and utilities are not only safeguarding their grids against immediate threats but also building a resilient infrastructure capable of weathering the storms of the future.