Introduction to High-Tech Tools for Preventing Blackouts
New York City is seeing soaring temperatures this week that could push the power grid to the brink, but Con Edision workers have been preparing for the last nine months for what they call their Super Bowl. NY1 got a behind-the-scenes tour this week of ConEd’s control center in Manhattan.
What You Need To Know
Con Edison has its own weather formula to predict power usage. Summer is the most challenging time of year for power companies. Con Edision has a fleet of repair trucks on standby waiting for the next superstorm. Feeder cables can be repaired without stopping power to neighborhoods.
High-Tech Solutions for Power Grid Management
Hot temperatures can push the system to its limits, but the crews have high-tech tools to help. These include specialized power-feeder cables designed to keep working even when there are partial failures, allowing the power to continue flowing, even during repairs. ConEd has also developed its own weather formula that helps them predict the electrical load. It’s called the TV, or temperature variable formula, and it’s a measure of the forecasted temperature and humidity over a three-day period.
Advanced Weather Forecasting and System Upgrades
Other resources in the playbook include $2.3 billion in off-season system upgrades, training exercises, shifting staffing during June, July, and August, having repair crews on retainer, and maintaining a fleet of trucks at a designated emergency facility ready to be deployed when storms or heat hit the city. The ConEd team has a big job ahead this summer with 96,000 miles of underground cables to monitor and maintain, and they are forecasting demand this summer to exceed last year.
Preparations for Peak Electricity Demand
Patrick McHugh, senior vice president of Electric Operations for Con Edison, said the summer months are when electricity demand peaks. “We’ve been preparing for the last nine months for these summer months. We are the most reliable utility in America, and we work very hard, especially in the summer months, to make sure the power stays on and the air conditioning is available to customers,” he said.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Con Edison is well-prepared to handle the high temperatures and potential power grid challenges this summer. With their high-tech tools, advanced weather forecasting, and system upgrades, they are confident in their ability to keep the power on and provide reliable service to their customers.
FAQs
Q: What is the TV formula used by ConEd?
A: The TV formula, or temperature variable formula, is a measure of the forecasted temperature and humidity over a three-day period used to predict electrical load.
Q: How many miles of underground cables does ConEd need to monitor and maintain?
A: ConEd has 96,000 miles of underground cables to monitor and maintain.
Q: What is the predicted electricity demand for this summer?
A: ConEd is forecasting demand this summer to exceed last year.
Q: How much has ConEd invested in off-season system upgrades?
A: ConEd has invested $2.3 billion in off-season system upgrades.
