How Smart Technology Helps Keep the Power On & Restore Outages Faster

Smart technology offers many advantages and provides our crews with valuable information that helps us spot trends and target potential issues before they lead to an outage. And when outages do occur, smart devices can help minimize the disruption for customers and get the lights back on faster.

Read more about the smart technology we’re using to improve your electric service:

Smart Meters: This device, installed at your home or business, is equipped with two-way communication technology. It provides AEP Ohio crews with information that helps expedite outage response times and repairs.

More than one million of AEP Ohio’s 1.5 million customers now have a smart meter. The final round of installations began earlier this year in Columbus and northwest Ohio — all customers across the state should have one within the next three years.

Line Sensors: These small devices are added along our power lines in some areas to better pinpoint issues. They can detect when electricity is interrupted, alert crews and help them to locate and fix the problem quickly (rather than patrolling the line trying to manually locate the issue).

Power Rerouting Technology: Distribution Automation Circuit Reconfiguration (DACR) detects a power outage and automatically reroutes power within minutes — minimizing the number of people impacted while repairs are made. It also helps crews locate the issue so they can fix it faster.

DACR is a powerful tool for improving reliability. To date, it has helped prevent 41 million minutes of customer interruptions. That’s why AEP Ohio recently filed a request with the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio (PUCO) for approval to expand our use of the technology by upgrading or installing DACR on 412 circuits throughout our service territory.

High-Tech Drones: From proactive inspections of our lines and equipment to assessing damage following severe weather, drones help in a number of ways. They are equipped with high-resolution and infrared cameras, plus video-streaming capability. When a cluster of smart devices indicates power interruptions, drones can help investigate the equipment that feeds power to the area. And during storms, they have the unique ability to access hard-hit areas to scope out the damage that is difficult to reach on foot. They can accomplish in minutes what might take a lineworker hours to patrol on foot.

Our system analysts securely review data provided by smart technology installed across our grid. By scouring our territory for service abnormalities — whether momentary blinks or lengthier outages — our analysts can spot trends, identify problems and initiate steps to make investments and upgrades to our equipment to help prevent future outages.

Added Smart Technology Benefits

In addition to helping keep the power on and restore it faster after an outage, smart technology can help save both money and energy:

Energy Dashboard: Customers with smart meters can see their energy use in 15-minute intervals on their Energy Dashboard, a free online tool with helpful insights and savings tips.

Weekly Energy Updates & High Bill Alerts: With a smart meter, you can also sign up to receive weekly updates on your energy usage and ways to save — plus you can get alerts if your use is trending higher than usual.

Volt Var Optimization: This technology, also known as VVO, works behind the scenes in some areas to help customers save. It assures that electricity is transmitted more efficiently through our power lines and into your home. This reduces the amount of electricity your household appliances use, saving an average of up to 4 percent on your monthly bill. 

We know you rely on us to provide reliable electric service — and using smart technology is one of the many ways we’re working to better serve you.