ComEd Reports to the ICC on 2015 Record Results and Summer Preparedness Strategy
Smart Grid investments and other system improvements result in a third year of record reliability
for ComEd customers – fewer and shorter power outages
ComEd officials participated today in an important policy session held by the Illinois Commerce Commission to discuss the
significant improvements made to the electrical delivery system and utility readiness to meet the demands of potential severe
summer weather. The utility also provided a look back at its results in 2015, which demonstrated improved reliability to its
customers.
ComEd reported that in 2015 the company marked a third year of record system reliability and its best safety performance on
record. As a result of smart grid and other system investments, ComEd customers avoided nearly 2.5 million power interruptions and
experienced a 42 percent reduction in the average duration of outages.
The company also reported that since the start of smart grid program, which began in 2012, the frequency of power outages have
declined by 44 percent and storm-related customer interruptions have decreased by 30 percent. In that same time period, advanced
technology like smart switches that reroute power around potential problem areas, new storm-hardening solutions and cable
replacement also have contributed to nearly 6 million avoided customer interruptions – resulting in $1.1 billion in societal
savings.
“The smart grid investments and other system improvements continue to provide direct benefits to our customers. 2015 marked
three years of record system reliability and the best safety performance on record for ComEd,” said Terence R. Donnelly, executive
vice president and chief operating officer, ComEd. “As we move into the summer season, our system and employees are ready and
remain focused on providing our customers the very best service possible.”
ComEd outlined its plans to prepare for storms in 2016. Back in 2012, ComEd launched yearly storm task force groups to review
and improve ComEd processes during severe weather. To date more than 300 process improvements have been made. This year, teams are
focused on several areas including providing more accurate restoration times to customers, better management of crew scheduling and
the ability to more quickly train mutual assistance crews, and improving the gathering of metrics.
ComEd also detailed its work to participate in local and national exercises with other utilities and contractors to improve
coordination in the event of larger scale storms. ComEd also hosted a local contractor symposium to review process changes and
improvements, and share feedback and best practices from them.
“We are an active member of three regional mutual assistance groups, which gives more resources to draw from in the event of a
significant weather event,” said Michelle Blaise, senior vice-president of Technical Services for ComEd. “We worked with our sister
utilities – PECO, BGE and PHI – as well as state and local agencies to drill on emergency preparedness. We also work regularly with
city and county officials on Load Shed and response exercises. All of this coordination means that we are better prepared, and our
mutual assistance crews are will be ready to jump into action when needed to restore customers quickly and safely.”
One of the most important aspects of ComEd’s daily work and storm response is communication with its customers. The utility
reported that, in an effort to improve its availability to customers, it extended its customer service hours by one hour per day,
now Monday – Friday 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM. Additionally, more than 100 temporary customer service agents are being on-boarded to
assist with increased summer call volume.
During a storm, ComEd has improved the way customers can report an outage. Blaise reported that customers can report an outage
through ComEd’s website without logging in to their account. This is in addition to a mobile app for iPhone® and Android™® smart
phones that gives customers the ability to report power outages and manage their accounts. Customers can also report outages
through ComEd’s Facebook and Twitter pages, or by calling 1-800 EDISON-1 (1-800-334-7661). Spanish-speaking customers should call
1-800-95-LUCES (1-800-955-8237).
Commonwealth Edison Company (ComEd) is a unit of Chicago-based Exelon Corporation (NYSE: EXC), the nation’s leading
competitive energy provider, with approximately 10 million customers. ComEd provides service to approximately 3.8 million customers
across northern Illinois, or 70 percent of the state’s population. For more information visit ComEd.com, and connect with the company on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube.
ComEd Media Relations
312-394-3500
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