Upgrades to Our Electricity Infrastructure
We plan to invest in 2013 and 2014 about $8.2 billion to expand and upgrade our electric system infrastructure to improve reliability and meet the needs of growing communities. Most of the effort is aimed at improving our local distribution network of 700+ substations, 100,000+ miles of circuits, and 1.5 million poles.
These upgrades include replacing infrastructure equipment at the end of its expected lifespan, including poles, transformers, and underground cables. Upgrades also include adding new infrastructure, such as installing new underground cable, adding new distribution circuits, expanding the capacity of select substations, and adding new substations to meet the needs of our customers.
Advanced Technologies
Thanks to advanced technologies we are creating one of the nation’s most advanced electric systems, one that will be more resilient, efficient, and secure than ever.
Technologically enhanced, automated grid-monitoring systems help us identify and resolve potential problems early, before they lead to outages or damaged components. With smarter computer systems, we can more efficiently dispatch repair crews to restore service. We view smart technology as a key tool for heightening reliability, and it also enables us to more effectively and efficiently integrate power from renewable sources like solar and wind.