Smart Energy Plan upgrades support reliability at St. Louis' Chain of Rocks Water Treatment Plant
Upgrades aim to prevent storm-related outages and restore power faster when they do occur
High winds and broken tree limbs are two of the biggest causes of power outages during severe weather. These factors can snap aging power poles and take down wires powering entire neighborhoods. Recently, storm-related outages at St. Louis' Chain of Rocks Water Treatment Plant triggered boil water advisories for people being served by the facility. In response, Ameren Missouri fast-tracked Smart Energy Plan upgrades designed to improve reliability for the plant.
Many of the wooden poles supporting the circuit serving the plant were more than 60 years old, making them more susceptible to damage. In addition to replacing more than 70 wooden poles, crews installed a dozen composite poles. These poles are made of stronger material designed to withstand winds up to 70mph. In 2023, lines with similar storm-hardening upgrades avoided damage and outages during several waves of severe summer weather.
The project also includes the installation of devices known as smart switches. This equipment can automatically detect outages and quickly reroute power. In late December, crews installed three Intellirupter smart switches on the circuit providing electricity to the water treatment facility. Three weeks later, a bitter cold snap damaged equipment on another line feeding the plant. The smart switches restored power in just nine seconds, avoiding the need for a boil water advisory or other water service disruption.
“This event shows how quickly smart technology can have a meaningful impact on a critical customer and the community,” says Ben Lynch, director of distribution operations for Ameren Missouri. “Smart Energy Plan investments will continue to support improved reliability for customers throughout the state.”
The upgrades along this line are currently in service, and additional Smart Energy Plan upgrades to another line supporting the plant are set to begin later this year. For more information on Ameren Missouri's Smart Energy Plan, please visit AmerenMissouri.com/plan.