JACKSON, MI (WTVB) – Consumers Energy is deploying a new network of company-owned weather stations across Michigan, designed to enhance grid safety and accelerate power restoration by collecting hyper-local, real-time data directly from electrical infrastructure.
With five stations already active and a plan to reach 100 by 2027, the initiative is expected to save customers nearly $1 million annually through improved outage forecasting and faster repair times.
The five initial stations are located in Gladwin, Ogemaw, Barry, Jackson, and Clare counties. The first station was installed in February, with stations placed on poles near electric equipment.
Strategically placed in local communities rather than relying on distant data, these stations provide critical, localized information on wind and soil conditions, complementing the National Weather Service.
The project is a key component of Consumers Energy’s “Reliability Roadmap,” which aims to reduce outage durations and ultimately restore power within 24 hours.
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