Louisville, Kentucky, December 12, 2025
Louisville Gas and Electric Company and Kentucky Utilities Company are investing in advanced technologies to enhance the reliability and efficiency of Kentucky’s power grid. These initiatives focus on upgrading substations, deploying advanced metering infrastructure, and enhancing cybersecurity measures. With a commitment to meeting the state’s energy demands, these changes promise to improve service quality and protect customer data.
Louisville, Kentucky: Utilities Strengthen Grid with Smart Technologies
Louisville Gas and Electric Company (LG&E) and Kentucky Utilities Company (KU) are investing in advanced technologies to enhance the reliability and efficiency of Kentucky’s power grid. These initiatives aim to meet the state’s growing energy demands and improve service quality for customers.
Substation Upgrades and Automation
Over the next five years, LG&E and KU plan to upgrade nearly 400 substations, including some that were installed during World War II and others that are nearly 100 years old. These upgrades will incorporate modern microprocessor relays and automation techniques, enhancing grid security and reliability through high-speed, high-bandwidth data access and control.
Advanced Metering Infrastructure
LG&E and KU are deploying advanced metering infrastructure (AMI) to provide customers with real-time energy usage data. This technology enables more accurate billing and empowers customers to monitor and manage their energy consumption effectively. The AMI deployment is part of a broader effort to modernize the grid and improve customer service.
Cybersecurity Enhancements
To protect against cyber threats, LG&E and KU are upgrading their information technology systems. These enhancements aim to safeguard customer data and ensure the continued reliability of the power grid. The focus on cybersecurity reflects the utilities’ commitment to maintaining a secure and resilient energy infrastructure.
Grid Resilience Grants
In June 2025, Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear announced over $6 million in grants to improve the dependability of the electric grid. The Kentucky Grid Resilience Grant Program awarded funds to public power utilities, including the Hopkinsville Electric System, which received $1.45 million to enhance grid resilience and provide real-time outage detection.
Background
As Kentucky’s energy demands accelerate, utilities are making long-term, capital-intensive upgrades to bolster both reliability and economic competitiveness. From modernized substations and automated controls to real-time monitoring and coordinated cybersecurity defenses, the state’s power providers are strengthening the backbone that keeps industries running and communities growing.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What are LG&E and KU doing to improve Kentucky’s power grid?
LG&E and KU are investing in advanced technologies, including upgrading nearly 400 substations, deploying advanced metering infrastructure (AMI), and enhancing cybersecurity measures to improve the reliability and efficiency of Kentucky’s power grid.
How will these upgrades affect customers?
Customers will benefit from more reliable service, real-time energy usage data, and improved protection against cyber threats. These upgrades aim to enhance customer experience and ensure a secure energy supply.
What is the Kentucky Grid Resilience Grant Program?
The Kentucky Grid Resilience Grant Program is an initiative that awarded over $6 million in grants to public power utilities to improve the dependability of the electric grid. The program aims to strengthen and modernize the state’s electrical infrastructure to provide a more resilient power grid against disruptive events.
Which utilities received grants from the Kentucky Grid Resilience Grant Program?
Public power utilities, including the Hopkinsville Electric System, received grants from the Kentucky Grid Resilience Grant Program to enhance grid resilience and provide real-time outage detection.
Why are these grid improvements important for Kentucky?
As Kentucky’s energy demands accelerate, these long-term, capital-intensive upgrades are essential to bolster both reliability and economic competitiveness. Strengthening the power grid ensures that industries can operate efficiently and communities can grow sustainably.
Key Features of Kentucky’s Grid Modernization Efforts
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Substation Upgrades | Modernizing nearly 400 substations, including those over 100 years old, with advanced relays and automation for improved grid security and reliability. |
| Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) | Deploying AMI to provide customers with real-time energy usage data, enabling accurate billing and effective energy management. |
| Cybersecurity Enhancements | Upgrading IT systems to protect against cyber threats, ensuring the security and reliability of the power grid. |
| Grid Resilience Grants | Over $6 million in grants awarded to public power utilities to enhance grid resilience and provide real-time outage detection. |
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