Securing Tomorrow
Episode 1
with
Gary Huntley and Bryan Sonnier
Storm-proofing Your Utility: Lessons Learned from Extreme Weather Events
You will learn:
Rapid Storm Escalation Requires Faster Preparation
Hurricane Ida intensified from a tropical storm to a Category 4 hurricane in just three days, leaving minimal time for response planning. Utilities must adopt real-time storm forecasting and AI-driven preparedness strategies.
Infrastructure Hardening is Critical
Stronger poles, undergrounding lines, and fire-resistant grid components can significantly reduce storm damage. Utilities must prioritize targeted hardening investments in high-risk areas.
AI-Driven Vegetation Management Prevents Outages
Vegetation-related damage accounts for 85% of storm outages. AI-powered tree risk analysis helps reduce storm-related outages by 40%, ensuring faster restorations.
Predictive Analytics Improves Storm Response
AI-powered platforms like CRIS (Climate Risk Intelligence System) provide 72-hour forecasts, allowing utilities to pre-stage crews, allocate resources efficiently, and minimize downtime.
Digital Transformation Enhances Grid Resilience
Manual processes delay restoration. Cloud-based tools, automation, and real-time crew tracking can shave days off storm recovery, cutting costs and improving reliability.
Speakers:
Gary Huntley
Retired VP of Distribution Services,
Entergy
Gary Huntley
Retired VP of Distribution Services, <br><b>Entergy</b>
Gary Huntley is a retired executive with over 32 years in the energy sector. He retired as Vice President of Distribution Services for Entergy Services, in 2021. During his time at Entergy, he led an organization of 400 employees across Louisiana, Mississippi, Arkansas, and Texas. Gary holds a BS in electrical engineering from Louisiana State University and an MBA from Tulane University.
Bryan Sonnier
Senior Utility Specialist
AiDASH
Bryan Sonnier
Senior Utility Specialist<br><b>AiDASH</b>
Bryan Sonnier is a credentialed Professional Engineer with a Six Sigma Green Belt. As a former manager at Oncor Electric, he has deep experience in IT testing, deploying, and managing advanced metering solutions along with distribution roles in engineering, new construction management, and maintenance strategy. Bryan is an expert in analytics and reporting for vegetation management programs.
Want to become efficient, resilient, and sustainable from space? Schedule time with our product expert below!