FlexNet Communications System For Utilities
During storms power outages can cause chaos and havoc for communities and businesses. With the recent floods in that left nearly 30,000 residents in Columbia, South Carolina waiting out the storm in darkness. Traumatic events such as this flood, Super storm Sandy or Hurricane Joaquin can be a huge strain on utilities. Times such as these are also when line crews become super heroes if they can restore the power quickly. With the FlexNet communication system, utilities have less infrastructure in the path of storms which minimizes the damage and improves restoration times.
“When disaster strikes, it is crucial for utilities to be armed with a communications system that helps get the lights on faster with zero interference,” said Randolph Wheatley, vice president of marketing of census. “As our customer who weathered Hurricane Sandy and other devastating storms can attest, the security and reliability of the FlexNet system provides two-way communication they can count on, rain or shine.”
The FlexNet system is a dedicated and secure two-way communications highway for utilities and municipalities. Utilities can reliably receive alerts on system-wide issues and outages in real-time using its point-to-multi-point architecture. The immediate notification allows utilities to better organize efforts and restore power faster.
Public service providers can restore power faster using reliable, innovative technologies. With FlexNet, utilities can:
- View their entire system remotely
- Collect and access real-time data
- Quickly diagnose issues and restore power faster
- Avoid outage notification delays often associated with mesh networks
In 2012 FlexNet stood up to Superstorm Sandy in Stafford Township, New Jersey. Sandy damaged 5,000 homes in 24 hours. With FlexNet, Stafford prioritized its relief efforts by identifying the most impacted areas.
Superstorm Sandy caused 8.1 million utility customers along the east coast to lose power. Restoring their service took weeks and required assistance from utility crews from across the U.S. and Canada. Communication is key in situations such as these and allows the linemen and utility companies to get the power back.