Oak Ridge Electric to Implement Smart Switches by June 2027
Oak Ridge Electric is set to upgrade its infrastructure with smart switches and a remote control system by June 2027 to reduce outage durations. This initiative comes in response to frequent outages affecting residents, particularly the elderly and those reliant on medical equipment.
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Oak Ridge Electric plans to install smart switches and a new remote control system by June 30, 2027, aiming to reduce power outage durations. Following a recent outage affecting over 800 residents, the utility identified vegetation as a primary cause, with outages occurring weekly during storm season.
The new technology will permit remote isolation of faults and rerouting of power, potentially reducing average restoration times from two hours to mere minutes. Funding for these upgrades has been approved by the City Council, with further improvements anticipated in the following years under a capital improvement plan. The utility currently conducts monthly substation inspections and operates a two-year vegetation management cycle.
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