GREENSBORO, N.C. — Power outages are one of the biggest concerns as the threat of a major winter storm this weekend increases for the Triad, and Duke Energy says it is already preparing to restore electricity faster in the event ice and snow bring down trees and power lines.
Duke Energy spokesperson Jeff Brooks said it takes “about a quarter of an inch of ice” to start bringing tree limbs down onto power lines, while it typically takes “about six to eight inches” of snow before similar problems begin.
To reduce the impact of outages, Brooks said Duke Energy has invested in “self-healing” technology designed to automatically reroute electricity when part of the system is damaged. Brooks said about 80% of Duke Energy customers in the Triad are now connected to that technology…