In a news update on October 4, Duke Energy announced an update on their strategy to provide critical energy infrastructure, meeting customer needs while also achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2050. The company plans to invest $145 Billion over the next 10 years.

Duke Energy’s plan includes roughly $75 Billion to modernize and harden transmission and distribution infrastructure, and another $40 Billion in energy generation like solar, wind, and battery storage resources. Encompassed in the infrastructure is new technology to improve reliability and resiliency throughout the grid. Sumter Utilities has already been working on for Duke Energy to utilize these new technologies to better prepare for potential outages, and hope to continue partnering together to provide reliability to customers in the Southeast. Click below to read the full article. 

In a recent press release, Duke Energy shared they are teaming up with Ford to develop a pilot program to test the performance of Vehicle to Grid (V2G) technology. This new technology is just one of many innovative efforts Duke is using to reduce carbon emissions and increase renewable energy sources.

According to the announcement, Duke Energy customers in the Carolinas can join in the new V2G program and lease the new Ford F-150 Lightning, a fully electric truck with high capacity battery energy storage, and receive reduced lease payments. In exchange, they will agree to provide energy back to the grid during peak demand seasons.

This new technology has the potential to reduce carbon emissions and provide necessary backup storage for the grid. Click below to learn more.

According to a recent article from Utility Dive, the Department of Energy is making plans for the provision of $10.5 billion to improve grid resilience, enhance grid flexibility, and explore new approaches to reliability throughout the power industry.

This new program, which has requested comments and feedback, will offer grants to support the retirement of older assets and invest in new technologies as the energy transition continues on. Click below to read the full article and learn more. 

The Edwin I. Hatch nuclear power plant in Georgia has been operating since the mid-seventies, and currently provides carbon-free energy for co-owners Georgia Power, Oglethorpe Power Corporation, Dalton Utilities, and Municipal Electric Authority of Georgia.

In late August of this year, Southern Company subsidiary Southern Nuclear, who operates the plant on behalf of the owners, shared that they plan to apply for a 20-year extension to their operating license. If approved, the extension would continue operations at Hatch until the 2050s. Click below to read the full article from World Nuclear News.

As we approach the peak months of hurricane season, the supply chain struggle in the US continues, and it could make an impact on the ability to restore power after a storm. 

A recent article from Fox Business highlighted the need for transformers – a critical component for electric delivery – and the heightened backlog for delivery. Utility providers have begun searching for alternative solutions to find supplies, as well as looking to repair or refurbish used transformers.

The Atlantic hurricane season runs through the end of November, but the shortage of materials could extend to regions experiencing wildfires and flooding as well. 

Climate change continues to drive extreme weather, and more than ever the focus is on grid resiliency. But “hardening” the grid requires more than just replacing worn out equipment.

A recent article in Utility Dive discussed the need for proactive investment in resilient materials and technology, anticipating the need as extreme weather events continue to increase in frequency. The use of composite materials, like fiber reinforced plastic, is just one part of that investment. It may prove to be worthwhile for utilities, municipalities, and electric cooperatives. Click below to read the full article.