Safety and reliability are among Idaho Power’s most important goals. The company works constantly to maintain and improve the grid to safely deliver as much energy as customers need when they need it.

This effort starts with equipment that meets or exceeds industry standards. The company monitors weather, energy markets and the grid. Inspectors use thermal imaging, drones and helicopters to find equipment that needs to be repaired or replaced.
In areas of high wildfire risk, workers wrap wood poles in fire-resistant mesh and clear vegetation that might become fuel. Crews trim trees to keep them from touching lines, reducing fire risk and improving reliability. The company installs spark prevention units (SPU) and fire-safe fuses — technology that provides around-the-clock protection of equipment on Idaho Power’s system. For example, if lightning causes an abnormal increase in voltage, the SPUs protect other equipment on the line from failing and producing sparks.

Idaho Power recently produced a video to highlight some of this work, as well as other measures aimed at keeping the grid safe and power reliable. The results speak for themselves: Idaho Power keeps the lights on more than 99.9% of the time with some of the lowest prices in the nation.

For more information on how Idaho Power protects the grid and serves customers with reliable, affordable power, visit idahopower.com/reliability.

Sven Berg
Communications Specialist
sberg@idahopower.com
208-388-2905