Consumers Energy in Jackson has purchased 1,200 iron utility poles — a $3.5 million investment — to withstand the forces of mother nature and keep overhead power lines securely in place.
The move is part of the utility’s efforts improve the reliability of the electric grid in Michigan. The poles are stronger, lighter, and longer lasting than their traditional wooden counterparts.
They are engineered to resist fire and the effects of Michigan’s harsh weather, and they are not vulnerable to wood decay, woodpeckers, insects, or other wildlife. Consumers Energy is Michigan’s largest energy provider, providing natural gas and/or electricity to 6.8 million of the state’s 10 million residents in all 68 Lower Peninsula counties.
Iron poles are expected to last up to 80 years, which is approximately double the lifespan of a wood pole. This longer lifecycle, combined with recent shortages and increasing prices of wood, led Consumers Energy to move ahead with sourcing and installing iron poles this year.
“These new iron poles will fortify our infrastructure, reducing the number of times that homes and businesses lose power,” says Greg Salisbury, vice president of electric distribution engineering for Consumers Energy. Their ability to withstand the elements will protect the power lines and help to reduce customer outages in the future.”
Consumers Energy is delivering the first iron poles to the Kalamazoo, Greenville, and Tawas areas. They initially will be installed at selected new construction sites that are accessible to bucket trucks, which are essential to reach and perform work on iron pole tops. Following this first phase of implementation, installations will expand to other areas and replace existing wooden poles throughout the Consumers Energy service territory.
“Installing these initial iron poles is another meaningful step toward modernizing the grid and improving reliability for our customers,” says Chris Laird, vice president of electric operations for Consumers Energy. “When the weather is good, you’ll see our crews busy at work this year installing poles safely and quickly to make sure we’re ready for storms.”
The introduction of iron poles is the latest tactic to be deployed as part of the Reliability Roadmap, Consumers Energy’s plan for a smarter and stronger electric grid. The plan includes investments in smart technology and automation, forestry work, and infrastructure upgrades like this one.
