Chances are you've lost power during a storm at some time in your life. It's an inconvenience that Duke Energy, the states largest serving utility company, is trying to prevent.
"One of the ways we do that is through self-healing technology. It automatically detects power outages. It reroutes power to restore power to customers in the event of an outage," McKenzie Barbknecht said.
Duke Energy Spokesperson, Barbknecht, says the company is adding "self-healing" technology to different parts of the state. Upgrades are currently being made to power grids in Noblesville.
If the lights go out, the system will automatically detect that and re-route the power through a different line.
"It works very similar to how a GPS in your car works. It identifies an accident ahead and re-routes. Self-healing works the same way. If a tree takes out a power line, instead of knocking out power for thousands of customers, it isolates the outage to mid-area," Barbknecht said.
According to Barbknecht, only 11% of customers are protected by this high technology. Plans are in place to upgrade the grids for 65% of Duke Energy customers over the next six years.
"Last year, our self-healing technology helped avoid nearly 45,000 outages across the state, which saved 80,000 hours of outage time. Those are significant numbers. When you couple that with some other upgrades we are making to our system, like swapping out wooden poles for steel poles, all of that goes a long way in making sure the lights stay on," she said.
AES serves the Indianapolis area. It's also using self-healing technology.
Plans are in place over the next 7 years to significantly strengthen its grids.
-
Indiana starts post-Mendoza era by adding former TCU QB, new receiver, AP source
Indiana is gearing up for Friday's College Football Playoff semifinal against Oregon, and coach Curt Cignetti is already planning ahead. On Sunday, the Hoosiers added two key players.
Airlines add 13 flights for IU fans heading to Peach Bowl in Atlanta
Hoosier football fans celebrating Indiana University's big win now have plenty of flight options to cheer on their team in Friday's Peach Bowl in Atlanta.
Local alcohol-free shop thrives as 'Dry January' inspires year-round change
Rather than quitting alcohol entirely, many people are simply cutting back, and that trend is fueling interest in alcohol-free alternatives.
Indianapolis Venezuelans react to U.S. operation targeting Nicolás Maduro
Venezuelans living in central Indiana are reacting with relief and emotion following reports of U.S. airstrikes and the capture of Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro.
