Ice storms remain one of the most damaging weather events electric utilities deal with.
In early 2026, severe winter storms swept across the Mid-Atlantic, Southeast, and Midwest, bringing heavy snow, sleet, freezing rain, and extended sub-freezing temperatures. These conditions placed an enormous stress on the power grid, often resulting in widespread outages, equipment damage, and extreme spikes in electricity demand.
Vis/ability from Activu helps utilities create a real-time operational picture of the grid across every system, every screen, and every response team.
When seconds matter during major outages, having the right information in front of operators can make all the difference.
At their peak, the 2026 winter storms left more than 1 million customers without power.
2026 Ice Storms Put Utility Systems to the Test
The 2026 winter storms highlighted the need for smarter grid monitoring, automation, and control room vis/ability. Below are the key steps many utilities are taking to combat the effects when faced with these conditions.
10 Steps to Improve Grid Reliability
Advanced Utility Control Room Technology
Vis/ability from Activu creates a real-time common operating picture across the Integrated Operations Center, unifying:
- SCADA systems
- Advanced Distribution Management Systems (ADMS)
- Outage Management Systems (OMS)
- Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI)
- Weather alerts and forecasting data
- Drone and surveillance feeds
- Grid sensor data
Grid Hardening & Infrastructure Upgrades
Utilities are strengthening the physical grid to withstand extreme weather through:
- Reinforced transmission towers
- Treated utility poles
- Cold-weather substation equipment
- Enhanced inspection programs
Underground Distribution Lines
Many utilities are gradually placing distribution lines underground to protect them from falling trees and ice accumulation. Undergrounding reduces storm-related outages and improves long-term grid reliability.
Advanced Vegetation Management with LiDAR & Drones
LiDAR scanning, drones, and AI-driven vegetation analysis identify trees that threaten power lines before storms occur—enabling proactive management along transmission corridors.
Large-Scale Mutual Aid Networks
Coordinated mutual-aid workforce deployments dramatically improve restoration timelines, mobilizing:
- Line crews
- Damage assessors
- Grid engineers
- Logistics teams
Smart Grid Monitoring & Automation
Smart grid technologies detect and isolate outages automatically, rerouting electricity around damaged infrastructure:
- Automated grid switching systems
- AI-based outage prediction models
- Advanced Distribution Management Systems (ADMS)
- Real-time grid sensors
Microgrids & Distributed Energy Systems
Microgrids provide localized power for critical facilities when the main grid fails:
- Microgrids for hospitals and emergency operations centers
- Battery energy storage systems
- Backup generators for critical infrastructure
Dispatchable Energy Sources for Grid Stability
Dispatchable generation sources allow utilities to increase power output quickly during extreme demand spikes:
- Natural gas plants
- Nuclear power
- Hydropower & biomass
- Battery storage systems
Renewable Energy Integration
Wind and solar generation—combined with energy storage—are increasingly integrated into the grid to diversify energy sources and improve resilience against storm-related outages.
Advanced Weather Forecasting & Storm Modeling
Advanced weather analytics and predictive outage modeling allow utilities to prepare days in advance—pre-staging restoration crews, positioning critical equipment, and readying control rooms before a storm hits.
Why Real-Time Situational Awareness is Critical
Modern utility operations rely on real-time data from dozens of systems. Without a centralized platform, that data becomes impossible to manage during emergencies. Vis/ability from Activu aggregates data from multiple operating systems and presents it across control room video walls and operator workstations, enabling teams to:
- Detect outages faster
- Monitor grid conditions in real time
- Coordinate restoration crews
- Share operational data with emergency agencies
Built for Utility Control Room Operations
Thousands of command centers worldwide rely on vis/ability for mission-critical operations. The platform is purpose-built for 24/7 utility control room environments and supports:
NERC/CIP Compliance
Full compliance support for critical infrastructure cybersecurity requirements—keeping your operations secure and audit-ready.
Secure Systems Integration
Connects seamlessly with existing SCADA, OMS, AMI, ADMS, and grid sensor platforms—without replacing costly infrastructure.
Active-Active Disaster Recovery
Continuous operations even when primary systems are compromised—ensuring your control room stays online when the grid needs it most.
ISO 27001 Security Standards
Enterprise-grade information security certification—the same standard protecting Activu deployments at the Pentagon, NASA, and U.S. military command centers.
Ready to Strengthen Your Utility Control Room?
Contact us or request a demo to see how vis/ability from Activu delivers next-generation situational awareness and operational resilience for utility control rooms.
Speed.
Clarity.
Resilience.
That’s the future of utility control room operations.
Case Studies
- Future-Proofing Power: Transforming MTE’s Control Room for Unparalleled Efficiency
The largest electric cooperative in the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) region, faced challenges with antiquated technology. - DTE Energy: Storm Resilience Revolutionizes a Utility Control Center
In the wake of the Windstorm of 2017, DTE Energy found itself compelled to reassess their System Operations control room, recognizing the urgency for an upgrade to address its outdated infrastructure before the next crisis struck. - Integrated Operations Center: Flexibility & Security Across Critical Operations
A large Northwestern U.S. power utility is leading the nation in innovation, and a seamless operating picture, through a unified approach across functions through vis/ability. - PGE’s Video Wall & Control Room Add Resilience & Collaboration
The Integrated Operations Center is part of the nerve center of PGE’s smart grid. At the IOC, we centralize PGE’s… Read more: PGE’s Video Wall & Control Room Add Resilience & Collaboration - How an Award-Winning Municipal Utility Enhances Power Restoration Efforts
Challenge Despite being recognized repeatedly as a Reliable Public Power Provider (RP3®), Marietta Power wasn’t content to rest on its… Read more: How an Award-Winning Municipal Utility Enhances Power Restoration Efforts - Keeping Alabama Warm
Challenge When Alagasco began planning their new operations center, they had two goals: create an improved job environment where employees… Read more: Keeping Alabama Warm - Aiding one the largest co-ops in the U.S. to reliably supply power
Activu system provided Cobb EMC with capabilities beyond their expectations. - Keeping the lights on for 19.8 million customers
An ISO chose Activu’s software-based system to help them monitor critical operations and improve incident response and decision making.