Consumers Energy Goes the Extra Mile to Find and Fix Issues on Michigan's Electric Grid

Rhea-AI Summary

Consumers Energy, Michigan's largest energy provider, is intensifying its efforts to improve electric grid reliability through a record-breaking inspection program. The company plans to inspect 25,500 miles of low-voltage electric lines in 2024, surpassing the Earth's circumference. This initiative is part of Consumers Energy's Reliability Roadmap, aimed at reducing power outages.

The company has been committed to visual inspections since 2022, covering half of its 51,000-mile overhead low-voltage distribution system. These inspections have led to the repair of over 17,500 issues in the past two years. Other tactics in the Roadmap include increased line clearing, new technology, more durable iron poles, and burying power lines.

Consumers Energy serves 6.8 million of Michigan's 10 million residents across all 68 Lower Peninsula counties, providing both natural gas and electricity.

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• Record-breaking inspection of 25,500 miles of low-voltage electric lines in 2024
• Repair of over 17,500 issues identified in the past two years
• Implementation of multiple tactics to improve grid reliability
• Serving 6.8 million residents across all 68 Lower Peninsula counties

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• None.

Inspections Cover Enough Distance to Circle the Earth, with Room to Spare!

JACKSON, Mich., Oct. 17, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- On foot, by vehicle and in all weather, Consumers Energy is working to inspect a record amount of low-voltage electric lines in Michigan this year. We plan to cover 25,500 miles –  more than the distance around the Earth at the equator.

The stepped-up inspection program is another part of Consumers Energy's Reliability Roadmap – our commitment to reduce the number and length of power outages.

"There are so many tactics and techniques that are helping us build a stronger power grid, and one of the most fundamental starts at ground level," said Greg Salisbury, Consumers Energy's vice president of electric distribution engineering. "We're working to pinpoint problems and fix them before they lead to power outages. This is one way we keep the lights on for our friends and neighbors."

Consumers Energy made a stronger commitment to inspections in 2022, when the company  made a point to visually check for problems on half of its roughly 51,000-mile overhead low-voltage distribution system – the poles and wires that feed directly to nearly 2 million Michigan homes and businesses. Inspectors are trained to identify issues that need repair, traveling circuits on so-called "blue sky" days.

Other tactics in the Reliability Roadmap include increased line clearing, new technology, more durable iron poles, burying power lines and even a robotic dog.

"Committing to eyeballing the portion of our system that serves customers makes an impact. That's especially true when we follow through on it diligently," Salisbury said.

"We've been able to repair over 17,500 issues that our team identified in the past two years. By finding and fixing issues, we prevent them from becoming a problem for the people who count on us."

Learn more about Consumers Energy's Reliability Roadmap: ConsumersEnergy.com/reliable.

Consumers Energy is Michigan's largest energy provider, providing natural gas and/or electricity to 6.8 million of the state's 10 million residents in all 68 Lower Peninsula counties. Consumers Energy knows job  No. 1 is to keep the lights on for customers. We are committed to delivering reliable, clean, and affordable energy to our customers 24/7.

For more information about Consumers Energy, go to ConsumersEnergy.com.

Check out Consumers Energy on Social Media 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/consumersenergymichigan
Twitter: https://twitter.com/consumersenergy
LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/company/consumersenergy  
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SOURCE Consumers Energy

FAQ

What is Consumers Energy's plan for electric grid inspections in 2024?

Consumers Energy plans to inspect 25,500 miles of low-voltage electric lines in Michigan in 2024, which is more than the Earth's circumference at the equator.

How many issues has Consumers Energy repaired since starting their enhanced inspection program?

Consumers Energy has repaired over 17,500 issues identified by their inspection team in the past two years.

What is the Reliability Roadmap mentioned in the press release?

The Reliability Roadmap is Consumers Energy's commitment to reduce the number and length of power outages, which includes tactics like increased inspections, line clearing, new technology, more durable iron poles, and burying power lines.

How many Michigan residents does Consumers Energy serve?

Consumers Energy provides natural gas and/or electricity to 6.8 million of Michigan's 10 million residents in all 68 Lower Peninsula counties.