ComEd system upgrades improve reliability and winter preparations

subscribe

While fall temperatures have been mild, winter weather is just around the corner. Recently, ComEd announced that investments to strengthen and modernize its electrical delivery system are helping to improve power reliability and ensuring that the utility is ready to serve its customers this winter.

“The work done by ComEd to modernize and storm harden the electrical grid has contributed to record-breaking reliability over the last two years,” said Terence R. Donnelly, executive vice-president and chief operating officer for ComEd. “As we approach the winter and the potential for heavy snow and ice, this work will help ensure that our customers have reliable energy to meet their needs.”

With the passage of the Smart Grid law by the Illinois General Assembly in 2011, ComEd embarked on a $2.6 billion program to modernize the power system in northern Illinois. Through investments in smart switches that reroute power around potential problem areas, new storm hardening and vegetation management solutions, and cable replacement, as well as other system improvement programs, more than 5.6 million customer interruptions have been avoided since 2012.

Last year alone, more than 1.5 million interruptions did not occur due to the reliability improvements ComEd is making to its system. In fact, despite severe weather conditions, including several tornadoes earlier this year, ComEd has produced record reliability for the first half of 2015. Due to system improvements, more than 1.6 million customer interruptions have been avoided so far this year.

ComEdÂ’s proposed legislation, known as ComEdÂ’s Future Energy Plan, builds on the benefits of the smart grid through, among other improvements, the development of six microgrids which will provide additional resiliency and reliability in the face of extreme weather or man-made events. The plan also calls for expanded support for renewable energy in Illinois and ensures that energy consumers and the state economy will continue to benefit from affordable power, a more secure and resilient grid.

“We are continuing to explore opportunities to bring new technology to the grid that will improve reliability,” said Donnelly. “Our Future Energy Plan delivers value to our customers through clean energy, energy savings, grid resiliency and customer choice.”

ComEd also offers the following no costs/low costs tips to help customers safely prepare their homes for winter weather, manage their energy usage and reduce electricity costs.

Related News

russia-builds-power-lines-to-reactivate-zaporizhzhia-plant

Russia Builds Power Lines to Reactivate Zaporizhzhia Plant

Russia is actively constructing new power lines to facilitate the restart of the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant (ZNPP), Europe's largest nuclear facility, which it seized from Ukraine in 2022. Satellite imagery analyzed by Greenpeace indicates the construction of approximately 80 kilometers (50 miles) of high-voltage transmission lines and pylons connecting the plant to the Russian-controlled port city of Mariupol. This development marks the first tangible evidence of Russia's plan to reintegrate the plant into its energy infrastructure.

Strategic Importance of Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant

The ZNPP, located on the eastern bank of the Dnipro River…

READ MORE
china nuclear construction

China's nuclear energy on steady development track, say experts

READ MORE

powerlines

Hydro One: No cut in peak hydro rates yet for self-isolating customers

READ MORE

power lines

National Grid warns of short supply of electricity over next few days

READ MORE

cyprus map

Cyprus can’t delay joining the electricity highway

READ MORE