Tag: Lake Forest Park

Seattle City Light’s Self-Healing Power Lines Online in Shoreline, Lake Forest Park

Seattle City Light has completed installation in Shoreline and Lake Forest Park of automated switching technology that is designed to speed the restoration of service when a power line is damaged.

“Any loss of electricity service can be inconvenient and frustrating,” said Michael Pesin, City Light’s smart grid architect. “City Light is using technology to speed the restoration of service and reduce the impact on our customers.”

Crews installed the equipment on two feeder lines in a pilot program to test its performance during storm season this fall and winter. The equipment is now fully operational.

Lineworkers prepare to install an automated switch in Shoreline.

Crews install an automated switch in Shoreline.

The new technology is designed to recognize outages and automatically close or open switches to isolate the affected section of a circuit. Power is re-routed to restore service to the areas that are not directly affected. This process takes place in a matter of seconds.

In addition, the technology gives City Light the ability to actively monitor and manage its distribution system in real time. It will improve the utility’s response to outages and incidents, which will save time and money while improving customer service.

If the pilot effort proves successful, City Light intends to install the technology, called distribution automation, on other feeder lines throughout its service territory.

The equipment is part of a larger effort to build a smarter grid in Seattle. Other components include technology to monitor and control substations, advanced meters and components to optimize the delivery of electricity to customers. Installation of these technologies will support the utility in reducing energy losses, improving the integration of electricity generated by solar panels on customers’ roofs and providing enhanced support for customers with electric vehicles.

Seattle City Light is the 10th largest public electric utility in the United States. It has some of the lowest cost customer rates of any urban utility, providing reliable, renewable and environmentally responsible power to about 750,000 Seattle area residents. City Light has been greenhouse gas neutral since 2005, the first electric utility in the nation to achieve that distinction.

City Light Testing Distribution System in Shoreline & Lake Forest Park

Distribution Automation Area Map

Seattle City Light will continue testing automated switching technology in Shoreline and Lake Forest Park that is designed to speed the restoration of service when a power line is damaged.

This technology, also known as distribution automation, gives City Light the ability to actively monitor and manage its system in real time. When outages occur, the system will isolate the affected circuit and re-route power to restore service to the unaffected areas. It will speed the utility’s response to outages and incidents, saving time and money while improving customer service.

In April, crews installed advanced power line switches, electronic controls and fiber optic cable along two major power lines in Shoreline and Lake Forest Park. From June 1-5, crews will program and test the equipment to ensure that the distribution system is functional. Delivery of electricity will not be interrupted by the work.

Daily work hours are planned Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Crews may be working beyond these hours, if necessary.

This project is expected to be completed by early July.  During field testing, customers and businesses should expect some noise as well as some minor traffic and parking impacts in the immediate work area.

For more information about this project and other City Light construction projects, please visit http://www.seattle.gov/light/aboutus/construction/.

Seattle City Light is the 10th largest public electric utility in the United States. It has some of the lowest cost customer rates of any urban utility, providing reliable, renewable and environmentally responsible power to nearly 750,000 Seattle area residents. City Light has been greenhouse gas neutral since 2005, the first electric utility in the nation to achieve that distinction.

Crews Working to Restore Remaining 2,000

Strong wind gusts resulted in outages to about 15,000 customers throughout Seattle City Light’s service territory early Sunday morning. City Light crews continue to work to   restore power to the remaining 2,000 customers affected by over 50 separate outages.

Customers can get updated outage restoration information online at www.seattle.gov/light/sysstat.

 

About Seattle City Light
Seattle City Light is the 10th largest public electric utility in the United States. It has some of the lowest cost customer rates of any urban utility, providing reliable, renewable and environmentally responsible power to nearly 1 million Seattle area residents. City Light has been greenhouse gas neutral since 2005, the first electric utility in the nation to achieve that distinction.

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Crews Responding to Scattered Outages Affecting More Than 15,000 Customers

Scattered outages are occurring in Seattle City Light’s service territory as gusty winds come through Thursday evening. 

High winds have left more than 15,000 customers without power in various parts of Seattle. Crews are responding to identify the exact locations and make repairs. Customers can get updated outage information online at www.seattle.gov/light/sysstat.

About Seattle City Light
Seattle City Light is the 10th largest public electric utility in the United States. It has some of the lowest cost customer rates of any urban utility, providing reliable, renewable and environmentally responsible power to nearly 1 million Seattle area residents. City Light has been greenhouse gas neutral since 2005, the first electric utility in the nation to achieve that distinction.

Crews Restore Power in Lake Forest Park, Shoreline

Repair crews restored power outage for about 4,400 homes and businesses in Lake Forest Park and Shoreline about 2:30 p.m. today.

The general boundaries of the outage were 244th Street on the north,61st Avenue on the east, Wallingford Avenue on the west and 165th Street on the south.

Crews believe that trees near 185th Street and 8th Avenue NE contacted power lines, causing electricity to arc and open breakers that cut power.