New York State Electric & Gas (NYSEG) and Rochester Gas and Electric (RG&E) have installed more than 400 smart devices in 2025 across their service territories. These smart devices strengthen reliability for more than 1.3 million electric customers across Upstate New York.  

"Smart devices have been a game-changer for our operations," said Christopher Lafey, senior manager of NYSEG and RG&E's Energy Control Center. "This technology provides us with a comprehensive view of our grid and gives us the ability to monitor its performance, make adjustments, and immediately respond to events. More importantly, it helps keep the lights on for our customers." 

Smart devices provide the Energy Control Center with live readings of the grid. Whenever an outage occurs, operators can sectionalize circuits and reroute electricity remotely. This allows NYSEG and RG&E to limit the duration of an outage to minutes, rather than hours. Smart devices also minimize field crew repair time by allowing them to target a smaller area to patrol and find the damage that requires attention.  

Installing automated smart devices is part of NYSEG and RG&E's plan to modernize New York's energy infrastructure so that it is stronger in the face of more frequent and extreme weather. Other initiatives include the deployment of tree wire, regular inspection and maintenance of pole infrastructure, and investments in substations and other projects.  

NYSEG and RG&E utilize approximately 4,390 smart devices on the grid in New York. 

Media Contact:
Michael Baggerman 
mbaggerman@nyseg.com 
716.368.1284