Idaho National Laboratory researchers have collaborated with Entergy Corporation, a Louisiana-based utility, to develop the Storm Damage Estimate Prediction and Recovery Tool (Storm-DEPART).

This innovative tool aims to assist utilities in efficiently restoring electricity infrastructure, including transformers, in the aftermath of natural disasters such as hurricanes. By combining utility infrastructure data with weather data from the National Hurricane Center, Storm-DEPART provides accurate damage estimates and predictions, allowing utilities to effectively deploy repair crews and allocate resources for transformer restoration.

The collaboration with Entergy has been instrumental in refining Storm-DEPART. The utility has shared vital data, including distribution, transmission infrastructure, and power generation information. The software tool considers various factors such as wind speed, pole age, repair requirements, and off-road accessibility. It generates comprehensive analyses of damage to transmission, distribution, and power generation infrastructure, specifically focusing on transformers. Storm-DEPART provides detailed predictions of the resources required for transformer repairs, including personnel, materials, and estimated completion time.

The implications of Storm-DEPART extend beyond the utilities themselves. Accurate predictions of power outage durations, particularly concerning transformers, enable communities to plan and respond effectively during recovery efforts. This tool has the potential to minimize downtime, optimize resource allocation, and enhance the overall restoration process in the wake of natural disasters. Storm-DEPART is now a licensed capability of Idaho National Laboratory, with several utilities expressing interest in utilizing this innovative tool to streamline their transformer restoration and enhance their disaster response strategies.

Source: eurekalert.org