GridOS^® Disruption Planning & Recovery

A power grid disruption refers to any event or condition that adversely affects the normal operation of an electrical power grid. Such disruptions can vary in scale and impact, ranging from minor disturbances to major outages that affect large geographical areas.

There is a clear link between power grid disruption and climate change, with severe weather affecting power grids. Thunderstorms, wildfires, floods, tornados, hurricanes, blizzards, and droughts are all driving the number of power grid disruptions utilities face every year. Aging infrastructure can also play a role in power grid disruptions as corrosion or general wear-and-tear take their toll on key physical assets.

While no solution can completely eliminate power grid disruptions, GridOS Disruption Preparation and Recovery Solutions can help minimize their frequency, duration, and impact. GridOS Visual Intelligence increases the efficiency and effectiveness of year-round utility vegetation management as well as asset inspections and wildfire mitigation. Disruption Prepare provides impact assessments up to 72 hours before an event occurs. Outage Management System is a power grid outage solution that improves grid resilience during severe weather. And Storm Manager streamlines the logistics associated with power grid recovery, from contracting crews to expediting invoicing.

GE Vernova offers two solutions that help utilities unlock proactive planning for power grid disruptions. Both solutions play a role in long-term and short-term grid disruption preparation. GridOS Visual Intelligence pinpoints the precise locations where vegetation is growing too close to power grid assets and must be trimmed to avoid damages. It can be used throughout the year, even when nothing is on the radar. Disruption Prepare can help electric utilities predict the impact of an impending event up to three days before it arrives. This advance notice enables utilities to begin preparing for recovery efforts, such as staging crews safely out of harm’s way, acquiring necessary materials (for example, ordering backup generators if critical infrastructure is expected to take a direct hit), and other preventative measures.

Utilities can recover from power grid disruptions faster by applying smart grid solutions for severe weather that reduce the risk of damage and accelerate recovery efforts. GridOS Disruption Preparation and Recovery Solutions include several solutions that improve operations before, during, and after a disruptive event. These include Visual Intelligence, the Outage Management System of ADMS, and others.

The power grid faces several significant threats that can affect its reliability, stability, and security. Among these, the biggest threat is often considered to be cybersecurity risks. Here is a more detailed explanation:

Cybersecurity Risks: As power grids become increasingly digitized and interconnected, they are vulnerable to cyber attacks. These attacks can target critical infrastructure, disrupt operations, and potentially cause widespread outages. Cybersecurity threats include malware, ransomware, phishing attacks, and more sophisticated intrusions that can compromise the control systems and data integrity of the grid.

Other notable threats to the power grid include:

Aging Infrastructure: Many power grids rely on outdated equipment and technology, which can lead to increased failure rates, inefficiencies, and vulnerabilities.

Extreme Weather: Increasingly frequent and severe weather events due to climate change can strain the grid and cause power grid disruptions.

Operational Challenges: The integration of variable renewable energy sources and distributed energy resources can present operational challenges, requiring advanced grid management and technology solutions to maintain stability.

Addressing these threats requires a proactive approach, including investing in modern infrastructure, enhancing cybersecurity measures, improving disaster preparedness, and implementing robust grid orchestration systems to ensure resilience.