How Consumers Energy Keeps Lights On While Protecting Wildlife
Elevating Power Reliability with Wildlife Considerations
Consumers Energy is stepping up efforts to promote wildlife safety and grid reliability during National Squirrel Day. This day serves not only as a celebration of these curious creatures but also as a reminder of the challenges they pose to power infrastructure. Squirrels and other animals often lead to unexpected power outages, contributing to around 8% of all outages each year. These incidents can disrupt the daily lives of millions relying on consistent energy supply.
Animal Mitigation Solutions
To combat wildlife-related outages, Consumers Energy has established a comprehensive animal mitigation strategy. This initiative forms a critical part of our Reliability Roadmap, aimed at upgrading the power grid to not only withstand the elements but also deter wildlife. Since initiating this strategy in 2012, the company has successfully completed nearly 600 projects designed to protect vital infrastructure from furry intruders, ensuring that over 90% of substations are now secured.
Key Enhancements to Infrastructure
The enhancements undertaken as part of this initiative include several innovative solutions. Gate foundations have been implemented to create barriers that stop animals from burrowing or sneaking under entry points. Additionally, polycarbonate barriers serve as durable and clear shields that block access to critical equipment while ensuring the safety of the wildlife.
Furthermore, bushing guards have been introduced to safeguard breaker and transformer bushings. These cage-like structures ensure that animals cannot disrupt essential equipment. Additionally, utility poles are now equipped with specialized coverings known as pole wraps, designed to prevent climbing and minimize the risk of accidental contact.
A Focus on Customer and Wildlife Safety
"Our goal is to create a win-win for both wildlife and our customers," explained Chris Laird, vice president of electric distribution at Consumers Energy. The company’s proactive approach not only minimizes outages but also takes into consideration the well-being of local wildlife, including squirrels and raccoons.
Adapting to Nature with Smart Technology
Thanks to these significant advancements, Consumers Energy has successfully reduced the average power outage time for customers by over 20 minutes in the previous year. The Reliability Roadmap also employs state-of-the-art technology, such as infrared cameras, to detect potential issues on Michigan's electric grid swiftly. Additional enhancements like the introduction of more durable iron poles improve resilience against Michigan's severe weather conditions.
The Future: Robotics in Energy Management
In an interesting twist, consumers will now see more futuristic elements like robotic dogs as part of the company's innovation. These robots will assist in monitoring and managing power infrastructure, enhancing overall reliability and service quality while ensuring that wildlife remains safeguarded.
Consumers Energy: Commitment to Reliable Energy
Consumers Energy stands as Michigan’s largest energy provider, serving approximately 6.8 million residents across all 68 Lower Peninsula counties. The company understands that its primary responsibility is to keep the lights on, especially when it comes to the daily lives of its customers. The dedication to delivering clean, reliable, and affordable energy is unwavering, as they strive to improve continuously.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is National Squirrel Day?
National Squirrel Day celebrates the importance of squirrels and raises awareness about their role in the ecosystem.
2. How does Consumers Energy keep wildlife safe?
Consumers Energy implements animal mitigation solutions to protect wildlife while maintaining power reliability.
3. What percentage of outages are caused by wildlife?
Approximately 8% of power outages annually are attributed to wildlife, including squirrels.
4. How many animal mitigation projects has Consumers Energy completed?
Since 2012, Consumers Energy has executed nearly 600 animal mitigation projects.
5. How does the Reliability Roadmap aid in power delivery?
The Reliability Roadmap enhances infrastructure to improve power delivery and reduce outage times for customers.
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