FPL statewide pilot program strengthens grid with underground lines in Palm Bay

After each bad hurricane that downs dangerous power lines, the sparks fly and the obvious question always pops up: Why don't they just bury them, instead of putting power lines back up for the next storm to rip down? 

Florida Power & Light Company is doing just that, installing underground power lines in the most vulnerable neighborhoods statewide, including in Palm Bay.

FPL recently demonstrated field crews using an innovative directional boring process (or horizontal drilling) at the 800 block of Rostock Circle NW, Palm Bay, as part of a statewide pilot program. FPL launched its Storm Secure Underground Pilot Program two years ago, as a "first-of-its-kind" effort in Florida, as a cost-effective way to replace overhead power lines with more reliable underground lines in targeted neighborhoods that experienced severe downed power line in past storms. Company officials assure the effort will keep customers' lights on when it most matters.

“As we prepare to put more neighborhood power lines underground in the coming decade, we are learning valuable lessons from the pilot (program) that will benefit all of our customers for years to come.” FPL Senior Vice President of Power Delivery Manny Miranda said in a release.

In general, outages happen less often underground than above ground but may last longer and take longer to repair and are more expensive to install. Overhead wires are more susceptible to high winds, falling trees and lightning but much easier to repair. Post-hurricane repair crews, whether from Florida or out of state, can quickly find downed lines and fix them within a week or so. Underground lines — not exactly a silver bullet — are more vulnerable to flooding and problems are harder to detect. Fixing them may take considerably longer and require intrusive digging near homes.

As of Oct. 1, FPL had completed more than 160 Storm Secure Underground Program projects throughout the company’s 35-county service area. More than 53 miles of overhead lines have been installed underground. 

FPL chose neighborhoods with a history of outages from hurricanes, "vegetation-related issues and other reliability factors." More than 100 other neighborhoods are under construction for buried lines.

"The pilot (project) is yielding important data that will continue to advance FPL’s efforts as it envisions more widespread undergrounding in the future," FPL officials said in a statement.

Trees and vegetation hitting overhead power lines and equipment were the leading cause of outages from Hurricane Irma in 2017, FPL officials said.

FPL estimates that between 300 and 700 neighborhood power lines will be placed underground annually from 2021 to 2023, as part of its 10-year Storm Protection Plan approved by the Florida Public Service Commission.

FPL officials say the pilot program is teaching them more-efficient design and construction practices; customer preferences; how to minimize disruptions by using technology such as ground-penetrating radar and other technology to detect and avoid telephone and cable lines and water pipes.

In 2004, a particularly bad hurricane year that saw hurricanes Charley, Frances and Jeanne swipe Brevard, the Hampton Trace subdivision off Murrell Road never lost power. Power lines in the 26-year-old subdivision, like many newer or higher-end developments, are buried underground. Those lines typically prove more reliable in storms like Charley and Frances, which were defined by high winds rather than storm surge or flooding

During Hurricane Frances in 2004, some underground customers did lose power because damage anywhere to transmission lines or substations feeding the subdivisions knocked it out.

Jim Waymer is environment reporter at FLORIDA TODAY.

Contact Waymer at 321-242-3663                                         

or jwaymer@floridatoday.com.

Twitter: @JWayEnviro

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