Case Study: Alabama Power speeds storm restoration with Sensus FlexNet AMI integration

The Sensus FlexNet System Aids Alabama Power Company’s Recovery Efforts from Historic Storm

Alabama Power, an electric utility, faced a significant challenge in managing outages after severe storms. Their existing outage management system (OMS) could estimate the number of customers without power but could not confirm when service was restored or identify which locations were too damaged to receive power, requiring time-consuming site visits. To address this, they worked with vendor Sensus to integrate their OMS with the Sensus FlexNet advanced metering infrastructure (AMI) system.

The Sensus solution provided real-time, two-way communication with smart meters, delivering immediate outage alerts and detailed data on individual premises. This integration gave Alabama Power superior situational awareness, allowing them to prioritize restoration efforts effectively without dispatching crews for confirmation. Following a historic tornado outbreak, the durable FlexNet network remained largely operational. This capability contributed to a restoration effort that was completed two days faster than in previous catastrophic storms, saving significant time and resources while efficiently restoring power to over 400,000 affected customers.

Alabama Power

Derl Rhodes

AMI Network Operations and Translation Team Leader