Stronger than the Storms
When a line of severe storms, including an EF-3 tornado, went through southeast Missouri in 2021, it caused over 17,000 customer outages throughout the state. Smart Energy Plan investments were critical to the restoration of power across the area. A new subtransmission line was directly hit by the tornado. The line was installed in 2020 specifically to protect customers from storms and high winds. The composite poles prevented a cascading collapse and failure. While damage did occur, the composite poles were found to be undamaged and only needed to be straightened.
Power was restored in half the time thanks to these new upgrades.
What does the Smart Energy Plan include?
Supporting Growth in Missouri
LUZCO Technologies is one of several diverse supplier companies in the Show-Me State working to ensure the lights come on with the flip of a switch. The electrical engineering consulting firm was founded in 2017 by Lusnail Haberberger. Her company has grown from two employees to more than 50 thanks to its work with Ameren Missouri through the Smart Energy Plan. The statewide infrastructure upgrade was created by 2018 state legislation.
Watch how this optimistic business leader is using her voice and supporting the renewal of the plan to further grow her business.
Viper Spotted in St. Charles County
Ameren Missouri’s Smart Energy Plan is bringing greater reliability to more than 2,000 customers in St. Charles and Warren Counties. Near Foristell, a distribution automation device called a “Viper Switch” was installed to rapidly detect and isolate damage, rerouting power where possible – reducing outages and speeding power restoration sometimes from hours to seconds. Our goal is to have one smart switch for every 400 customers in our service territory across the state. This means about 3,000 smart switches will be installed on the grid.
Progress to Date
138
Upgraded Power Line Miles
837
Smart Switches
52
New or Upgraded Substations
566,000
