CPOPE
10-31-2010, 12:28 PM
FPL takes advantage of weather to strengthen system
Ken Weatherly, a journeyman line worker with Pike Energy Solutions, prepares a new grade 2 utility pole being installed on Appomattox Drive in North Port on Friday, one of Florida Power & Light's “hardening” projects to create a more storm-resistant infrastructure.
http://www.heraldtribune.com/apps/pbcsi.dll/bilde?Site=SH&Date=20101030&Category=ARTICLE&ArtNo=10301009&Ref=AR&Profile=2055
Florida Power & Light cannot guarantee power outages will not occur if this area gets slapped by a major storm.
Workers with Pike Energy Solutions erect the new pole, one of 1,720 inspected in Sarasota.http://www.heraldtribune.com/apps/pbcsi.dll/bilde?Site=SH&Date=20101030&Category=ARTICLE&ArtNo=10301009&Ref=V2&Profile=2055
Even so, Florida's largest electric utility is undertaking a massive effort to limit the chances of outages, especially for transmission lines that supply power to this region's 911 centers, 911 communication towers, police and fire stations, hospitals and other emergency and acute care services.
FPL recently completed "hardening" efforts in this area, part of what has been an ongoing statewide plan since 2006.
Here is a breakdown of what FPL will have accomplished in 2010:
Power line repairs: Used infrared devices to check for loose connections or other flaws requiring repairs on 13 main power lines in Sarasota County, two in Manatee County and nine in Charlotte County.
Pole inspections: Inspected 1,720 power line poles in Sarasota County, 10,960 in Manatee and 12,730 in Charlotte, replacing some wooden poles with concrete poles.
Trimming: Trimmed trees and removed vegetation along 710 miles of power lines in Sarasota County, 400 miles in Manatee and 690 miles in Charlotte.
Main lines: Upgraded and strengthened 15 main power lines serving 911 communication centers, various public safety agencies and each county's hospitals.
Even with all the upgrades, outages are likely to occur because of a storm, FPL spokeswoman Sarah Marmion said. “There is no storm-proof system out there.”
Yet the upgrades should enable FPL to restore power more quickly, Marmion said.
Ken Weatherly, a journeyman line worker with Pike Energy Solutions, prepares a new grade 2 utility pole being installed on Appomattox Drive in North Port on Friday, one of Florida Power & Light's “hardening” projects to create a more storm-resistant infrastructure.
http://www.heraldtribune.com/apps/pbcsi.dll/bilde?Site=SH&Date=20101030&Category=ARTICLE&ArtNo=10301009&Ref=AR&Profile=2055
Florida Power & Light cannot guarantee power outages will not occur if this area gets slapped by a major storm.
Workers with Pike Energy Solutions erect the new pole, one of 1,720 inspected in Sarasota.http://www.heraldtribune.com/apps/pbcsi.dll/bilde?Site=SH&Date=20101030&Category=ARTICLE&ArtNo=10301009&Ref=V2&Profile=2055
Even so, Florida's largest electric utility is undertaking a massive effort to limit the chances of outages, especially for transmission lines that supply power to this region's 911 centers, 911 communication towers, police and fire stations, hospitals and other emergency and acute care services.
FPL recently completed "hardening" efforts in this area, part of what has been an ongoing statewide plan since 2006.
Here is a breakdown of what FPL will have accomplished in 2010:
Power line repairs: Used infrared devices to check for loose connections or other flaws requiring repairs on 13 main power lines in Sarasota County, two in Manatee County and nine in Charlotte County.
Pole inspections: Inspected 1,720 power line poles in Sarasota County, 10,960 in Manatee and 12,730 in Charlotte, replacing some wooden poles with concrete poles.
Trimming: Trimmed trees and removed vegetation along 710 miles of power lines in Sarasota County, 400 miles in Manatee and 690 miles in Charlotte.
Main lines: Upgraded and strengthened 15 main power lines serving 911 communication centers, various public safety agencies and each county's hospitals.
Even with all the upgrades, outages are likely to occur because of a storm, FPL spokeswoman Sarah Marmion said. “There is no storm-proof system out there.”
Yet the upgrades should enable FPL to restore power more quickly, Marmion said.