Consumers Energy Uses Infrared Cameras to Detect, Fix Issues on Michigan's Electric Grid
Consumers Energy has implemented infrared camera technology across its electric grid, resulting in a significant reduction in power outages. The cameras, used to inspect nearly 1,100 electric substations throughout Michigan, helped avoid 19.9 million minutes of customer outages last year, reducing average outage time by 10 minutes per customer. This initiative is part of the company's Reliability Roadmap, which includes other measures such as line clearing, iron poles installation, and underground power lines. The technology enables workers to detect potential issues through thermal imaging before they cause outages, allowing for proactive repairs.
Consumers Energy ha implementato la tecnologia delle telecamere a infrarossi nella sua rete elettrica, portando a una significativa riduzione delle interruzioni di corrente. Le telecamere, utilizzate per ispezionare quasi 1.100 sottostazioni elettriche in tutto il Michigan, hanno contribuito a evitare 19,9 milioni di minuti di interruzioni per i clienti lo scorso anno, riducendo il tempo medio di interruzione di 10 minuti per cliente. Questa iniziativa fa parte della Roadmap di Affidabilità dell'azienda, che include altre misure come la pulizia delle linee, l'installazione di pali in ferro e linee elettriche sotterranee. La tecnologia consente ai lavoratori di rilevare potenziali problemi tramite immagini termiche prima che causino interruzioni, permettendo riparazioni proattive.
Consumers Energy ha implementado la tecnología de cámaras infrarrojas en su red eléctrica, resultando en una reducción significativa de los cortes de energía. Las cámaras, utilizadas para inspeccionar casi 1,100 subestaciones eléctricas en todo Michigan, ayudaron a evitar 19.9 millones de minutos de cortes para los clientes el año pasado, reduciendo el tiempo promedio de corte en 10 minutos por cliente. Esta iniciativa es parte de la Hoja de Ruta de Fiabilidad de la compañía, que incluye otras medidas como la limpieza de líneas, la instalación de postes de hierro y líneas eléctricas subterráneas. La tecnología permite a los trabajadores detectar problemas potenciales a través de imágenes térmicas antes de que causen cortes, permitiendo reparaciones proactivas.
Consumers Energy는 적외선 카메라 기술을 전력망에 도입하여 전력 중단을 상당히 줄였습니다. 미시간 전역의 거의 1,100개 전기 변전소를 검사하는 데 사용된 이 카메라는 지난 해 고객의 전력 중단 시간 1,990만 분을 피하는 데 기여하여 고객당 평균 중단 시간을 10분 줄였습니다. 이 이니셔티브는 회사의 신뢰성 로드맵의 일환으로, 선 정리, 철제 폴 설치 및 지하 전력선 설치와 같은 다른 조치를 포함합니다. 이 기술은 근로자들이 중단을 야기하기 전에 열 화상을 통해 잠재적 문제를 감지할 수 있게 하여, 사전 수리를 가능하게 합니다.
Consumers Energy a mis en place la technologie des caméras infrarouges dans son réseau électrique, entraînant une réduction significative des coupures de courant. Les caméras, utilisées pour inspecter près de 1 100 sous-stations électriques à travers le Michigan, ont contribué à éviter 19,9 millions de minutes d'interruptions pour les clients l'année dernière, réduisant le temps moyen d'interruption de 10 minutes par client. Cette initiative fait partie de la feuille de route de fiabilité de l'entreprise, qui comprend d'autres mesures telles que le déblaiement des lignes, l'installation de poteaux en fer et des lignes électriques souterraines. La technologie permet aux travailleurs de détecter des problèmes potentiels grâce à l'imagerie thermique avant qu'ils ne provoquent des coupures, permettant ainsi des réparations proactives.
Consumers Energy hat die Infrarotkamera-Technologie in seinem Stromnetz implementiert, was zu einer signifikanten Reduzierung von Stromausfällen geführt hat. Die Kameras, die zur Inspektion von fast 1.100 Umspannwerken im gesamten Michigan eingesetzt werden, haben im letzten Jahr 19,9 Millionen Minuten Kundenstromausfällen geholfen, wodurch die durchschnittliche Ausfallzeit um 10 Minuten pro Kunde verringert wurde. Diese Initiative ist Teil der Zuverlässigkeits-Roadmap des Unternehmens, die weitere Maßnahmen wie die Räumung von Leitungen, die Installation von Eisernen Pfählen und unterirdische Stromleitungen umfasst. Die Technologie ermöglicht es den Mitarbeitern, potenzielle Probleme durch thermische Bilder zu erkennen, bevor sie Ausfälle verursachen, was proaktive Reparaturen ermöglicht.
- Reduced power outages by 19.9 million minutes in the previous year
- Decreased average outage time by 10 minutes per customer
- Implemented proactive maintenance system across 1,100 substations
- None.
Insights
The implementation of infrared camera technology represents a significant operational improvement, reducing customer outage time by
The proactive maintenance approach through infrared scanning of 1,100 substations showcases a strategic shift from reactive to preventive maintenance, potentially leading to reduced operational costs and improved service reliability. This investment in infrastructure monitoring technology, combined with other initiatives like line clearing and robotic assistance, indicates a comprehensive modernization strategy that could positively impact long-term operational efficiency and customer satisfaction metrics.
Cameras Last Year Reduced Potential Outages by Nearly 20 Million Minutes
The handheld infrared cameras detect problems inside nearly 1,100 large electric substations throughout
"Consumers Energy is working to reduce the number of power outages and make sure we always get the lights back on in 24 hours. Infrared cameras are a great example of how technology helps us every day to find and fix problems," said Greg Salisbury, Consumers Energy's vice president of electric distribution engineering.
WATCH: Detective work – Finding problems before they affect customers
The use of infrared cameras helped Consumers Energy avoid 19.9 million minutes of customer outages, part of a broader effort to track and reduce the amount of time people are without power. The cameras allow Consumers Energy workers to scan substation equipment looking for hot spots that aren't visible with the naked eye. Crews then can make repairs before those issues lead to an outage.
"We're all about getting results through the infrared program so we can quickly address whatever issues there may be at the substation," said Kurtiss "Scott" Koons, a program analyst. "Taking this proactive approach to handle the little things prevents the bigger things from happening."
Other tactics in the Reliability Roadmap include increased line clearing, new technology, more durable iron poles, burying power lines and even a robotic dog.
Learn more: ConsumersEnergy.com/reliable.
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