With Hurricane Sandy bearing down on the east coast, Greentech Media explores how smart grid technology could help limit power outages. Distribution automation and smart meters are two such technologies that can help identify outages more quickly or minimize their spread. Although smart grid technology can’t singlehandedly alter the outcome of a storm– traditional preparations such as preparing crews are still critical – but many east coast utilities are better prepared for Sandy thanks to smart grid investments made in the wake of Hurricane Irene.  

After Hurricane Irene, Long Island Power Authority accelerated implementation of its new outage management system, which will put a real-time functionality on all of LIPA’s 980 feeders by the end of this year. Like New Jersey utilities, LIPA’s power website warns that restoration could take seven to 10 days. But if the new OMS is widely implemented, it could reduce restoration time.