Record breaking, billion-dollar weather events like Winter Storm Uri, Tropical Storm Isaias, and rampant wildfires will continue to batter the grid.
To save lives and avoid harsh penalties, utilities must innovate: improving the way data is collected, shared, and stored during emergency response.
In 2020, Tropical Storm Isaias paralyzed energy distribution in New York. In 2021, Winter Storm Uri crippled generation in Texas. Year after year, wildfires threaten transmission lines throughout California.
As utilities face severe penalties, scrutiny, and increasing extreme weather throughout the country - utility providers can no longer settle for the status quo.
The unique regulatory environments in California, Texas, and New York - though revealing of the innate complexity involved in storm response - suggest utilities aren't powerless to affect the outcome of an extreme weather event.
To prepare for extreme storms and secure the future of their industry, utility providers must invest additional resources in technology and innovation - seeking solutions that provide accurate information, clear communication, and streamlined response operations in the field.