Eversource: Power Outages Down In Connecticut After 'Smart' Moves

CONNECTICUT — Eversource Energy on Wednesday touted a "commitment to enhancing system reliability" for what it called a 13 percent reduction in Connecticut power outages in 2019 compared to 2018.

A big factor has been a program to install hundreds of "smart fuses" to electric systems throughout the state. Smart fuses can automatically restore power to customers when a tree limb temporarily contacts wires and help to protect the electric system when a problem is detected, such as a current surge or overload, Eversource officials said.

"Our continued investments in developing a smarter, more resilient, and more flexible grid are delivering direct reliability benefits to our customers and allowing us to reliably and seamlessly connect more clean energy resources onto our system," Eversource President of Regional Electric Operations in Connecticut and Massachusetts Craig Hallstrom said. "Additionally, our commitment to enhancing the electric system throughout the state will help us to reach our goal of being carbon neutral by 2030 and support continued economic growth across the region."

According to Wednesday's announcement, Eversource has invested more than $5.5 million to install more than 500 smart fuses on its electric system throughout Connecticut since 2018. The company plans to expand the program in 2020 by installing more than 100 devices in all areas of the state, according to the announcement.

In addition to its smart fuse program, Eversource will continue to install smart switches, devices that enable system operators to remotely reroute power to customers from a backup source in minutes, officials said.

The company has installed more than 300 devices as part of its smart switch program over the past five years and will continue to work throughout the state to replace utility poles with more "durable structures," install hundreds of miles of covered wire, and conduct "robust tree-trimming programs" to "ensure the reliable delivery of energy to customers."