Consumers Energy taking steps to combat power outages - WNEM
Consumers Energy taking steps to combat power outages
SAGINAW, Mich. (WNEM) - With the potential of severe weather moving through mid-Michigan, Consumers Energy said it has taken steps to keep the lights on.
Consumers Energy announced plans to install 123 new automatic transfer reclosers (ATRs) in 2023 to help prevent power outages and improve electric reliability for customers.
The energy provider said the investment in automation is a key part of the company’s electric reliability plan that aims to reduce both the number and length of power outages.
ATRs are technology that isolate problems on electric lines and transfer power automatically.
Consumers Energy spokesperson Brian Wheeler talked about how they work and what kind of difference they could make.
“This ATR work really is part of a commitment. We are trying to limit the number and duration of power outages across the state when bad weather comes through,” he said.
Consumers said the technology improves public safety and reduces the number of customers impacted by outages.
On days with the potential of severe weather, many of us wonder if the power will stay on. Wheeler said ATRs will offer more assurance.
“So if you have a power outage in one spot on a circuit, on a power line that can affect hundreds of customers, when you can put ATRs, these pieces of technology, in place it limits the number of people. Essentially it’s a red light or a green light that can stop the flow of electricity or stop the affect of an outage, so that fewer people experience lights going out,” Wheeler said.
Nearly 470 of the 800-pound devices are currently on the electric system.
“After the February ice storms, we know customers are asking for a stronger and smarter power grid. By focusing on tree trimming, upgrading our electric grid, and using automation and other technology to quickly detect and resolve problems, we can drastically improve the electric grid and make it more reliable for all our customers,” said Chris Laird, Consumers Energy’s vice president of electric operations. “The ATRs are programmed to detect power loss and follow predetermined actions to help reroute power in another direction. We remain committed to doing more to update the grid and make it work better for our customers.”
The Consumers Energy 2023 ATR deployment plan will target areas that have been most impacted by outages over the past several years.
“That’s going to include work in the Flint area as well. So, people will be seeing us and our crews out there doing the work right now that improves reliability to our customers,” he said.
Wheeler said this is part of Consumers Energy’s overall electric reliability plan.
“The ATRs are instrumental when storms come through and cause outages,” Laird said. “They will be a big part of our reliability future and keeping outages to a minimum.”
Consumers Energy said the ATRs were able to help prevent tens of thousands of outages in 2022 alone.
“We’re spending $5 billion over five years to really reduce the number of power outages,” he said. “That’s going to include tree trimming, ATRs, and a whole lot more.”
Like replace aging equipment, bury powerlines, and upgrade key equipment like substations.
Most of the project is expected to be completed this summer.
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