Much of the country’s power grid infrastructure is aging; in fact, more than 70% of it is over 25 years old, according to the Joint Economic Committee. As it declines, the infrastructure can wreak havoc by increasing the likelihood of electrocution and other safety issues. Several major wildfires from the past decade can be attributed to the grid’s age. However, utilities can work to modernize this infrastructure. Their employees and contractors can also follow specialized safety practices and protocols to upgrade the grid and keep everyone safe.

The power grid is comprised of transmission lines, power plants and transformers connected to towns and cities throughout the country. Much of the infrastructure that holds the system together hasn’t been upgraded since it was built in the 1930s. At times, it cannot keep up with increasing energy demands, which it was never designed to handle. As such, the risks created by the aging equipment can be catastrophic.

Extreme weather

Exacerbating the challenges facing the power grid is the increasing number and severity of extreme weather events. The aging infrastructure often struggles to withstand major storms, heat waves and flooding, among other disasters. According to “The Electric Grid Is a Wildfire Hazard. It Doesn’t Have to Be,” a recent article by Michael E. Webber, a professor of public affairs and engineering at the University of Texas at Austin, “The accumulating wear and tear on the components that hold the grid together, combined with weather that has often been hotter and stormier in some regions, means the wildfires and sustained blackouts may be a preview of how an aging grid could falter spectacularly as weather becomes more extreme and demand for electricity continues to rise.”

Worker health

The deteriorating power grid also places a greater burden on lineworkers responsible for keeping up with the equipment’s maintenance and repair. This often leads to longer hours in more dangerous settings. When working in these stressful conditions, lineworkers are frequently away from their homes and families, which can lead to fatigue, loneliness, anxiety and depression. The physically demanding nature of the job can also lead to chronic pain. And tired workers are more prone to making mistakes.

To help combat these symptoms, employees should get plenty of sleep, drink lots of water and take breaks as needed. Workers should also seek the help of a mental health professional if necessary. Many employers have resources available.

Utilities can work to improve safety, such as by ensuring workers are properly trained, equipped with the right PPE and always following the appropriate safety protocols. Additionally, engineering controls can be put in place by running underground lines in fire-prone areas or regions susceptible to extreme weather. This can greatly lower the risk of fires and power outages. 

Maintenance and repair

Vigilance with vegetation management is a must. Making sure trees and shrubs are trimmed and well maintained can tremendously reduce the risk of an incident occurring.

Utilities should also conduct regular system inspections and install modern, real-time sensors. This technology can alert operators to downed power lines, damaged components or overloaded equipment. Technological advancement has also made it possible to remotely cut off power to wires.

Cost

One of the challenges facing utilities with grid modernization and maintenance is cost. It can be very expensive to move transmission lines underground. The price is often estimated at $3 million to $5 million per mile. Compounding the issue is the pressure to keep energy costs affordable to the public. Private utilities often have an even bigger challenge because they must keep shareholders happy.

“Utilities can take advantage of federal funding in the Inflation Reduction Act to decarbonize the grid and make it safer. Billions of dollars have been made available to upgrade the grid, in part by replacing older power lines with stronger ones that can carry more electricity. Utilities will be able to connect to more wind and solar power generators in remote locations while improving overall reliability. Old poles should be replaced with ones made of stronger, composite materials,” according to Webber’s article. 

Cyberattacks

In addition to fire and electrocution hazards, outdated software, technology and practices make the power grid susceptible to cyberattacks. The consequences could result in ransom cases, outages putting the public at risk or worse. Older or remote substations and equipment may lack modern security and protection measures, which can put workers at risk or in the line of danger. Upgrades to physical and electronic security can go a long way in improving the safety of workers and the public.