'Self-healing' tech aims to avoid power failures
May 13—Duke Energy is installing new technology to its electrical grid in Caldwell County that the company says will reduce the number and duration of power outages.
The "self-healing" technology is supposed to automatically detect power outages and quickly reroute service to restore power, often in less than one minute, Duke Energy said in a press release.
Installation of this technology includes new and upgraded power lines in some areas and upgraded utility poles. Crews will also continue trimming trees and managing vegetation in rights of way near power lines.
Nearly 80% of all Duke Energy customers in Caldwell County will benefit from grid improvement projects planned to begin in 2021 to enhance reliability in the region, with more improvements planned over the next few years, the press release said.
Recent grid improvements benefitted the village of Cedar Rock, where crews replaced an underground line serving the community.
In 2020, self-healing technology helped to avoid around 300,000 extended customer outages in North Carolina and South Carolina, the company said.
Duke Energy said it is significantly expanding this smart technology and expects to install enough over the next few years to serve most customers.
