Smart switches restore 30,000 after July 4 storms

Crews and technology work together to support customers in aftermath of devastating weather

Smart switches can mean the difference between a longer outage and a brief interruption. These devices monitor the grid for signs of trouble, and they can react automatically to isolate issues, reroute power and restore service to customers in the case of an outage. It’s an important tool that also supports the work Ameren Missouri line crews perform in the field during a storm response.

After July 4 storms upended holiday plans from Lake of the Ozarks to St. Louis, smart switches helped bring customers back online. The devices restored more than 30,000 customers while over 1,600 personnel deployed to address the damage and provide a permanent fix. The storms' damage was extensive, including nearly 100 broken power poles throughout the company's footprint.

Crews work to repair damaged infrastructure in Jefferson City following the July 4 storms.

“Smart switches help us narrow down where the problem is so crews can get to the right area faster,” said Jon Albrecht, superintendent of Ameren Missouri's Central Division. “That saves time after a storm because our teams can focus on the damaged section, make the area safe, clear debris and complete repairs more efficiently.”

Storm restoration will always depend on skilled crews working safely in difficult conditions, but smart technology gives them better information and more options. For customers, that can mean outages are smaller and shorter.

Through its Smart Energy Plan, Ameren Missouri has installed more than 2,150 smart switch devices. During major storms, they have automatically restored service to over 480,000 customers since 2021. These devices work around the clock to support customers from other disruptions, too, such as vehicle damage. 

To learn more about the benefits of the Smart Energy Plan, please visit Ameren.com/Reliability.