Cameras Last Year Reduced Potential Outages by
Nearly 20 Million Minutes
JACKSON,
Mich., Oct. 23, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Consumers
Energy is putting technology to work on its electric grid, using
infrared cameras that reduced power outages for its nearly 2
million by an average of 10 minutes last year.
The handheld infrared cameras detect problems inside nearly
1,100 large electric substations throughout Michigan and allow Consumers Energy to make
repairs before they affect the public. The approach is another part
of Consumers Energy's Reliability Roadmap – our commitment to
reduce the number and length of power outages.
"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.
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 number one 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
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SOURCE Consumers Energy