Ohio Edison, the Illuminating Co. and Toledo Edison, all part of FirstEnergy Corp. began preparing for winter in advance of increased demand for electricity by performing inspections and equipment maintenance. Combined, the three utilities serve about 2 million people in Ohio.

“Completing inspections and equipment maintenance now can help enhance system reliability to keep power flowing to customers when severe winter weather strikes,” said Patricia Mullin, acting president of FirstEnergy’s Ohio operations, in a November 2022 press release.

Other FirstEnergy companies outside of Ohio have also completed winter preparedness operations, including Jersey Central Power and Light in New Jersey; Mon Power in West Virginia; Potomac Edison in Maryland and West Virginia; and Met-Ed, Penn Power, West Penn Power and Penelec in Pennsylvania.

Helicopters were used to perform inspections on almost 7,200 miles of high-voltage transmissions lines to detect the early stages of equipment issues that can’t be seen from the ground. Crews addressed potential reliability concerns discovered during the inspections to prevent potential future power outages.

FirstEnergy crews then inspected electrical equipment along neighborhood power lines and transformers, ensuring everything is operational and capable of meeting increased demand during winter’s heating needs.

To diagnose potential problems on power lines and within substations that are undetectable during a visual inspection, crews are using thermal imaging cameras to take infrared images of electrical equipment. Infrared technology shows heat on a color scale; bright colors indicate hot spots, or areas that may need repair. Issues that can be identified using this technology include loose connections, corrosion and load imbalances. 

Crews are also confirming that bucket trucks and other vehicles are in good working condition and are getting snow removal equipment ready for winter.

To avert tree-related outages caused by ice and heavy, wet snow, utility tree contractors trim trees throughout the year, maintaining clearance around electrical equipment. By the end of December, they expect to have trimmed trees along 8,000 miles of transmission and distribution lines.

The focus on winter prep extends beyond infrastructure to personnel. FirstEnergy utility employees took part in readiness exercises and drills to prepare for winter storm-related power outages. Storm drills that test a company’s restoration processes are being progressively introduced in the utility industry due to recurrent severe weather.

Additionally, the three utilities urge customers to prepare for winter weather and manage higher energy costs due to cold temperatures. Their tips include:

• Setting thermostats as low as comfortably possible. For every degree the thermostat is decreased, 3% less energy is used.
• Use a programmable thermostat to lower the temperature when no one is home.
• Add weather stripping or caulk around windows and doors to seal leaks and keep cold air out.
• Replace furnace filters so the furnace doesn’t have to work as hard.
• Close the fireplace damper when not in use to prevent warm air from escaping.
• Be sure your home has at least 6 inches of insulation.

Simultaneously with winter preparations, FirstEnergy is completing $500 million worth of smart grid enhancements they started in 2020 as part of the grid modernization plan approved by the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio. Work includes installation of new automated equipment and technology designed to prevent power outages or at least minimize the negative effects if one occurs.