Duke Energy's Resilience in the Face of Sustained Cold Conditions

As the Carolinas brace for prolonged freezing temperatures, Duke Energy is taking proactive measures to manage the power grid and ensure reliable service for its customers. The company's strategic planning and preparation have been instrumental in maintaining grid stability during these challenging conditions. Here's how Duke Energy is addressing the increased demand for energy and mitigating the impact of extreme weather events on the power grid.



Maximizing Resources and Offering Energy-Saving Programs

Duke Energy is maximizing its resources to meet the increased demand for energy during the cold snap. The company is operating all available generating assets, including power plants, to ensure a steady supply of electricity. Additionally, Duke Energy is offering customer energy-saving programs to help manage the power grid more effectively. These programs encourage customers to reduce their energy consumption during peak demand times, such as the early morning hours when it is typically the coldest outside.

By offering these programs, Duke Energy can better balance supply and demand, reducing the likelihood of rotating outages and ensuring reliable power supply for all customers. The company has not yet made a request for customers to voluntarily reduce their energy use this week, but it has the capability to do so if necessary.

Year-Round Preparation and Grid Strengthening

Duke Energy's year-round preparation and investment in power generating assets and grid infrastructure have been crucial in mitigating the impact of extreme weather events on the power grid. The company maintains and upgrades its power plants and other generating assets to ensure optimal performance during peak demand periods. Additionally, Duke Energy invests in grid upgrades and improvements, such as tree trimming, pole and line upgrades, and installing smart, self-healing technology.



These preparations help Duke Energy manage the power grid more effectively during extreme weather events, reducing the likelihood and duration of power outages. In 2024, self-healing technology helped avoid more than 1.1 million customer outages in the Carolinas, saving around 3.3 million hours of total outage time. Nearly 60% of those benefits were achieved during major storms, demonstrating the effectiveness of Duke Energy's grid strengthening efforts.

Key Factors Driving Customer Demand and Duke Energy's Response

During prolonged freezing temperatures, customer demand for energy spikes as families combat the cold to stay warm, which causes bills to increase. The key factors driving this demand are heating, water heating, and lighting. Duke Energy addresses these factors through its preparation and planning, including operating all available generating assets, offering customer energy-saving programs, purchasing available power, strengthening the grid, and using real-time analysis and predictive modeling.

By addressing these key factors and implementing a comprehensive strategy, Duke Energy is well-positioned to meet customer demand and maintain grid reliability during sustained cold conditions. The company's proactive approach to managing the power grid ensures that customers have access to reliable and affordable energy, even during extreme weather events.

In conclusion, Duke Energy's strategic planning, preparation, and investment in power generating assets and grid infrastructure have been instrumental in managing the power grid during sustained cold conditions. By maximizing resources, offering energy-saving programs, and strengthening the grid, Duke Energy is able to meet increased customer demand and mitigate the impact of extreme weather events on the power grid. As the Carolinas continue to experience freezing temperatures, Duke Energy remains committed to providing reliable and affordable energy to its customers.