Category 5+? Managing power grid disruptions amidst skyrocketing hurricane threats

Recently, the United States has endured the devastating impact of two major hurricanes slamming into the Southeast: Helene, which battered communities along a 600-mile stretch from Florida’s Gulf Coast to Tennessee, and Milton, which affected nearly all of Florida just two weeks later. Both storms carved a trail of unprecedented destruction, including severe damage to the electrical grid. Although the storms have since moved on, utilities have been working around the clock to replace flooded equipment and repair downed lines, determined to restore power to the millions of customers who need it. Both Helene and Milton are testaments to the increasingly severe damage inflicted by today’s weather patterns and the urgent need for enhanced grid resilience.

As climate change progresses and ocean temperatures rise, conditions are becoming increasingly favorable for rapid hurricane intensification.

Research supports this. A recent study published in Nature Communications found that “offshore areas within 400 km of the coastline have experienced a significant increase in rapid intensification (RI) events, with the count tripling from 1980 to 2020.” The study suggests this trend may continue along with climate change, with recent research showing that "[storm] intensification rates increased in coastal areas (defined as within 200 nautical miles from the coast) of the United States."

Currently, hurricane severity is rated using the Saffir-Sampson Hurricane Wind Scale, which classifies hurricanes from 1 to 5, with Category 5 representing the highest level of damage, termed “catastrophic.” However, with storms continuing to intensify each year, scientists are debating the merits of introducing an unprecedented additional sixth category.

Advocates for a new Category 6 argue that the current scale’s open-endedness fails to truly capture the growing intensity and potential damage of future storms. With projections indicating that hurricanes will become more intense and frequent, a revised classification system could be crucial for ensuring the appropriate preparedness and response measures from those living in vulnerable areas.

At GE Vernova, we have decades of experience in supporting utilities through some of the most severe and damaging storms in modern history. Our advanced control room solutions, GridOS® Advanced Distribution Management System (ADMS) and Outage Management System (OMS), have proven highly effective in supporting grid operators across affected regions during recent hurricanes, including Milton and Helene. Our systems minimized downtime and helped restore power to nearly 2.8 million customers within hours of these devastating events.

To continue meeting the escalating challenges of increasingly severe storms, we are committed to enhancing the scalability and capabilities of GridOS ADMS, focusing on:

While we cannot predict exactly where and when the next big storm will hit, current trends suggest that countless utilities and their many millions of customers will continue to be affected by increasingly severe and frequent hurricanes. As we move forward, it's crucial that utilities adapt their storm management strategies to meet the evolving challenges posed by climate change and intensifying weather patterns.

By investing in advanced grid orchestration technologies and continuing to innovate storm solutions, utilities can better equip themselves for a future of extreme weather. GE Vernova is committed to leading this charge, developing solutions that both respond to current challenges and anticipate future needs. Together, we can build a more resilient, flexible, and robust energy infrastructure capable of withstanding the storms of today and tomorrow.

To learn more about how GridOS ADMS can strengthen your grid's resilience, please visit our Advanced Distribution Management System (ADMS) product page. There, you can explore the latest capabilities and customer success stories that demonstrate the power of our storm-ready grid solutions.