Reliability

Securing the grid Michigan counts on.

Our crews are always working to secure the grid to ensure safe, reliable energy at the lowest price possible.

Tools and Innovations Are Helping Us Secure the Grid

Automatic Transfer Reclosers

We’re installing Automatic Transfer Reclosers (ATRs) to modernize Michigan's grid. These smart devices act as traffic lights for electricity, detecting faults and automatically rerouting power to keep lights on or restore power in seconds, preventing hours of downtime.

Drones

We’ve added a fleet of 40 drones to inspect electric lines that would be inaccessible to our helicopter crews due to thick brush, protected airspace or challenging urban environments. These drones are faster and more cost-effective than crews walking the lines and help us strengthen the grid by preventing outages.

Lineworker drilling on an electric power pole

Battery-Powered Tools

Our lineworkers have benefited tremendously from advances in battery-powered tools. Whether it’s a drill, an impact wrench, a power saw or a line crimper, these tools significantly reduce physical strain on the job. They also help us complete repairs more efficiently, enabling our crews to cover more ground in a shift.

Weather Stations

We’ve installed five weather stations and plan to install 100 stations by 2027. This program is expected to save customers nearly $1 million annually when complete. This technology will deliver improved outage predictions, more efficient crew deployment to specific areas, and faster power restoration.

Strengthening the Energy Grid

Poles

In the second half of 2025, we inspected over 50,000 poles, identified 70 needing attention right away, 3,640 in need of upgrades, and numerous others that needed preventative maintenance which will further secure the grid.

Muskegon

We replaced obsolete wiring in Muskegon and Muskegon Heights to increase capacity and strengthen resilience to severe weather. The work replaced outdated circuits with new circuits with greater capacity and technology.

Tree Clearing

We cleared trees from over 8,000 miles of electrical wires in 2025. By 2030 we’re planning to double that – clearing over 16,000 miles annually.

Kalamazoo

We installed 8,500 feet of new secondary wire in Kalamazoo and replaced 80 poles to secure the grid for 300 customers along Oakland Drive near Western Michigan University.

Our Promise: Reliable Energy at the Lowest Price Possible

75 cents of every customer dollar is reinvested in the electric grid.
Our Reliability Action Plan is a roadmap that will lead to fewer, shorter outages.

Consumers energy workers on bucket trucks

Modernizing our system improves affordability and reliability.
A more reliable grid means fewer outages and fewer costly repairs to keep costs low.

Using innovative tools such as this drill improves reliability and lowers costs.

Affordability comes from smart innovation.
Smart grid tools such as grid sensors, automation, analytics and predictive maintenance improve reliability and lower costs.

Tools and Innovations That Help Deliver Safe and Reliable Natural Gas

Intelligent pipeline inspection gauges (or PIGs) detect corrosion, cracks, dents and metal loss inside natural gas pipelines.

Smart PIGs

We use intelligent pipeline inspection gauges (or PIGs) to detect corrosion, cracks, dents and metal loss inside natural gas pipelines. Driven by gas pressure, these PIGs use advanced sensors to help identify problems before they occur.

Ford Edge SUV with advanced methane detection capabilities

Line Inspections

Our fleet of eight purpose-built Ford Edge SUVs with advanced methane detection capabilities are on the road statewide to survey nearly 30,000 miles of natural gas lines for potential natural gas leaks. We’re currently expanding this fleet to serve more areas and ensure safe, reliable natural gas service.

Plastic Pipe

Many of our new natural gas reliability projects use plastic pipes instead of steel. Plastic pipes are cheaper to install, can last over 100 years and offer corrosion and chemical resistance that’s greater than steel.

Meter Replacement

We’re replacing natural gas meters statewide to ensure they’re safe and accurate. Every year we replace a percentage of our natural gas meters to ensure proper operation and that they meet the latest standards.

Strengthening the Energy Grid

Our commitment is simple – safe, secure and affordable natural gas service Michigan can count on. Here’s a few examples.

Four Cities

We’re currently replacing eight miles of aging natural gas pipeline in Royal Oak, Madison Heights, Clawson and Warren. The first phase of this project began in 2026 and is expected to be completed in 2029. This proactive work supports safe, reliable energy and keeps bills predictable for the long run for over 800,000 homes and businesses.

Flint Gas City

This unique mini city, covering 1.4 acres, is where we immerse natural gas trainees in the environments, equipment and scenarios they’ll deal with every day. The site is also used to train emergency first responders on safe handling of natural gas situations.

Mid-Michigan Pipeline

We upgraded 55 miles of natural gas transmission pipeline across Clinton, Shiawassee, Ingham, Livingston and Washtenaw counties. The project replaced pipelines dating to the 1940’s and upgraded the 20-inch pipeline to a 36-inch pipeline to carry large volumes of natural gas more safely and reliably.

City gates reduce pressure from transmission lines for local distribution.

City Gate Modernization

We’re hard at work upgrading city gates – which reduce pressure from transmission lines for local distribution – to handle higher natural gas volumes and improve safety in the communities we serve.

Natural Gas Powers Our Homes—Safely and Efficiently

Safe, secure and affordable service that Michigan can count on.

We’re proactively replacing aging natural gas lines, predicting and fixing leaks before they happen and modernizing how the system works.

consumers energy workers putting in natural gas pipelines

Modernizing our system improves affordability and reliability.

Our Natural Gas Delivery Plan is a 10-year, $12 billion roadmap. In 2026, we’re replacing almost 150 miles of main lines to ensure consistent future performance.

Affordability comes from smart innovation.

Innovations like smart Pipeline Inspection Gauges (PIGs) detect flaws in pipes and remote-control valves that can quickly shut off natural gas in part of the system to help keep operating costs lower.