Ameren Missouri Always Preparing for Storms
Ameren Missouri might watch the weather about as much as local meteorologists. The energy company has a vested interest in staying prepared when threatening weather may impact Missouri and customer service.
Ameren Missouri's high national rating in reliability reflects the dependable service the company provides customers; still, the company's goal is to improve even more, and that requires an engaged year-round effort. In the Midwest, a storm could develop at any time, which is why it's important to stay ahead of weather that could disrupt service to customers.
Staying prepared is not just something the company does during spring storm season, but in the months or years prior to ensure the electric system is smart, strong, automated, and free of potential vegetation hazards.
The Smart Energy Plan— which was made possible by the 2018 passage of SB 564 by the Missouri Legislature — has been a real boost to efforts to be prepared for storms and improve reliability. The plan includes more than $7 billion in infrastructure projects over five years, with a special emphasis on smart grid technology that can detect and reroute power after a storm. The goal is to reduce a service interruption from hours to just seconds.
Here are some of the things Ameren Missouri is doing on behalf of its customers to better withstand storms:
Trimming more than 4,100 miles of vegetation including trees and invasive brush each year. Out of control vegetation could easily come in contact with a power line or pole during a storm.
Installation of 69,000 stronger utility poles, work that began in 2019 and will continue over the next several years. Many of the poles are made of composite materials and can withstand winds of 50 miles an hour or more.
Building or upgrading substations to be stronger and to feature smart technology that can digitally communicate with operators to detect an outage issue. This may include taking three older, less efficient substations and replacing them with one modern station that will require less maintenance and repair, improve reliability, and save customers money.
Installing smart grid technology equipment and switches that can operate remotely on utility poles and lines, helping to isolate an issue and reroute power until repairs can be made.
If an Ameren Missouri truck or crew is sighted in a neighborhood, the work they are doing might just be part of our preparation for that next big storm.
As work is being done, safety is also at the forefront, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. Crews are following CDC social distancing guidelines and practicing good hygiene. Customers are asked to do the same when they see crews working in the community.