March 1, 2023
Upgrading the grid
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Recipe, Movie & Sudoku. Pg. F-1 CLASSIFIEDS AND HOME & GARDEN. Pg. F-2 /F-3 Moore On Life, Lifestyle & Crossword Puzzle. Pg. F-4 Submitted photo Ameren Missouri has performed upgrades to foundational grid infrastructure, including poles, wires, substations, transformers and cables. It has also utilized smart technology that will help reduce customer outages and provide quicker response times when they occur.
Ameren Missouri’s Smart Energy Plan has resulted in structural improvements to electrical infrastructure in St. Louis County By Wendy Todd Ameren Missouri’s Smart Energy Plan has created a more reliable and efficient infrastructure to improve its service for customers, add beneficial technology and economic benefits to the region. The utility company has performed upgrades to foundational grid infrastructure, including poles, wires, substations, transformers and cables. It has also utilized smart technology that will help reduce customer outages and provide quicker response times when they occur. Also, in July of 2020, Ameren began in-
stalling smart meters in St. Louis and St. Louis counties to provide customized energy usage data to customers, replacing outdated equipment. The new meters, equipped with two-way communication capabilities, even allow for easier service setup and relocation for residents, as a service person does not need to visit the property. The plan, which cost $215 million to complete, began after the Missouri General Assembly passed energy policy legislation in 2018 that enabled Ameren to begin the infrastructure upgrades. Another specific area of the Smart Energy Plan in St. Louis County was the Met-
ro South Reliability project that is helping 100,000 Missouri residents utilize more reliable energy. With the construction of two new transmission towers, the project created a second power supply to help prevent outages and increase energy capacity. The infrastructure improvements also addressed the flooding in St. Louis County last summer, helping over 9,500 customers avoid extended outages. There are ongoing upgrades to help stave off potential future flooding issues. Mark Birk, chairman and president of See ‘GRID’ page 2
Serving North & Northwest St. Louis County | FREE Online at mycnews.com | Vol. 102 No. 9 | 636-379-1775
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