Consumers Energy eliminates over 72,000 potential power outages with smart technology

Consumers Energy, which serves Michigan's electric grid, has implemented advanced smart technology throughout the state. As of December 2, 2024, these technologies, primarily the Automatic Transfer Reclosers (ATRs), have prevented over 72,000 power outages that would have affected customers this year. Each of these avoided outages translates to about 350,000 hours of avoided power loss, showcasing the efficiency of these upgrades. Greg Salisbury, Vice President of Electric Distribution Engineering at Consumers Energy, revealed that the utility is focused on enhancing the resilience and reliability of the grid through their Reliability Roadmap initiative. The 2024 deployment of ATRs includes over 100 new units installed across Michigan, contributing to nearly 550 that are currently operational. This strategic move is part of a broader vision to ensure that, even during severe weather or system failures, fewer customers experience interruptions to their service. The goal established by Consumers Energy is to limit the number of customers losing power to no more than 100,000 during extreme storms, with a commitment to restoring power within 24 hours of an outage. Additional elements of the Reliability Roadmap encompass various tactics ranging from vegetation management, such as increased line clearing, to the integration of new technologies like infrared cameras aimed at identifying potential issues in the network before they lead to outages. The company is also investing in more durable infrastructure, including advanced power poles made from iron, and exploring innovative solutions such as burying power lines in high-risk areas. The introduction of a robotic dog adds a modern twist to inspection processes, allowing for enhanced surveillance of the utility’s equipment. Consumers Energy serves approximately 6.8 million customers in Michigan's Lower Peninsula, solidifying its position as the state's largest energy provider. The consistent goal of the company is to deliver reliable, clean, and affordable energy while maintaining a focus on preventing power outages. The significant reduction in the number of customers affected by power outages this year sets a strong precedent for the efficacy of smart technologies in enhancing the utility's operations and improving service delivery to its customer base.