Getting the power back on safely takes planning. From day one, we create detailed plans for how to safely restore power in a variety of events. We plan how crews will be deployed, how information will be shared with customers, and when to call for additional help.
Here’s how it works:
Step 1: Safety Response & Damage Assessment
During and after a storm, PUD crews de-energize downed lines and safely assess other damaged parts of the system to reduce potential dangers.
Step 2: Transmission Lines
High-voltage transmission towers and lines seldom fail but can be damaged by severe wind or flooding. One line can serve tens of thousands of people. If one of these lines is damaged, the focus is to restore it first.
Step 3: Substations
PUD crews check distribution substations, which can serve several thousand homes and businesses, to see if a major outage is occurring because of a problem at the substation or with the transmission line coming into the facility.
Step 4: Main Distribution Lines
Main distribution lines carry power from substations to a central point in a neighborhood. When power is restored on these lines, whole neighborhoods may see the lights come back on as long as there are no problems further down the line.
Step 5: Local Distribution Lines
Local distribution lines carry electricity to transformers serving one to several homes or businesses. Crews work on these lines after repairs to the main distribution lines and prioritize locations to get the largest number of customers back in service. Secondary service lines run from transformers to individual homes. These lines are typically the last to be restored during storm events.
Step 6: System Improvements
Once power is restored, the recovery plan is assessed to identify parts of the system that may benefit from upgrades or enhancements to reduce the likelihood of damage in the future.