– Consumers Energy investing $24 million in smart technology to prevent power outages
– Deployment of nearly 3,000 line sensors and over 100 automatic transfer reclosers in Michigan
– Commitment to restore power in 24 hours or less and prevent outages for nearly 2 million Michigan homes and businesses
Consumers Energy, an investor-owned utility, is investing nearly $24 million in smart technology to prevent power outages and improve reliability for customers in Michigan. This includes the installation of 3,000 line sensors and over 100 automatic transfer reclosers (ATRs) throughout the state. These devices help predict and prevent outages before they occur, ultimately aiming to restore power within 24 hours or less.
The ATRs have been successful in preventing hundreds of thousands of outages in recent years, with nearly 70,000 customers benefiting from outage isolation in 2023 alone. Both ATRs and line sensors play a crucial role in maintaining power reliability during storms and other disruptions.
Consumers Energy’s Reliability Roadmap includes smart technology as part of a comprehensive plan to strengthen the electric grid. This plan also involves investments in forestry work, infrastructure upgrades, and measures like burying overhead powerlines to better withstand Michigan’s severe weather.
Consumers Energy serves 6.8 million residents in all 68 Lower Peninsula counties of Michigan, making it the state’s largest energy provider. The utility’s focus on smart technology and grid modernization is aimed at improving service reliability for all customers.