ATLANTA, Aug. 22, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Georgia Power
announced today that investments in "smart grid" technologies such
as automatic Fault Location, Isolation and Service Restoration
(FLISR), automatic switching devices and Advanced Metering
Infrastructure (AMI), are improving reliability and have helped the
company avoid more than 280,000 total hours, or 17 million minutes,
of potential power outages for customers so far this year. The
enhanced distribution technologies help Georgia Power pinpoint the
location of an issue, more efficiently dispatch crews and reduce
overall outage durations for customers.
More than 1.2 million customers across the state are currently
connected to an automated network with new upgrades and projects
underway every day to ensure that the state's transmission and
distribution network remains as reliable as possible. Georgia
Power's network is one of the most advanced in the country with
more than 715 self-healing circuits that can automatically isolate
problems and restore power to unaffected areas.
"We understand that when the power is out, every minute counts
for our customers," said Leslie
Sibert, vice president of distribution for Georgia Power.
"The investments we've made in our system are helping us fulfill
our commitment to our customers to minimize outages, while keeping
our rates as low as possible."
In addition to new smart grid technologies, Georgia Power has
invested more than $1 billion over
the past five years on equipment and facility improvements
including cyber and physical security, modernization of grid
protection and control systems, and replacement of aging
infrastructure such as power poles, wires and underground cables. A
continued focus on investments that improve reliability and service
has helped position Georgia Power as an industry leader in customer
satisfaction.
Georgia Power offers a variety of free tools and resources to
keep customers informed and connected including the online Outage
& Storm Center at www.georgiapower.com/storm. The center
provides an easy way for customers to check the status of an
outage, as well as an interactive Outage Map which provides updates
on where outages are occurring across the state and estimated
restoration times. Customers can also visit the site to sign up for
free Outage Alerts, personalized notifications about outages via
phone, text message or email. The company also engages with
thousands of customers in real time every day on social media,
including Facebook and Twitter, from its new Social Media Center in
Atlanta.
About Georgia Power
Georgia Power is the largest
subsidiary of Southern Company (NYSE: SO), one of the nation's
largest generators of electricity. Value, Reliability,
Customer Service and Stewardship are the cornerstones of the
company's promise to 2.5 million customers in all but four of
Georgia's 159 counties. Committed
to delivering clean, safe, reliable and affordable energy at rates
below the national average, Georgia Power maintains a diverse,
innovative generation mix that includes nuclear, 21st century coal
and natural gas, as well as renewables such as solar, hydroelectric
and wind. Georgia Power focuses on delivering world-class
service to its customers every day and the company is consistently
recognized by J.D. Power and Associates as an industry leader in
customer satisfaction. For more information, visit
www.GeorgiaPower.com and connect with the company on Facebook
(Facebook.com/GeorgiaPower) and Twitter
(Twitter.com/GeorgiaPower).
Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20160822/400177
Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20160822/400176
Logo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20050216/CLW066LOGO
To view the original version on PR Newswire,
visit:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/new-smart-grid-technologies-mean-fewer-shorter-power-outages-for-georgia-power-customers-300316547.html
SOURCE Georgia Power