We can all agree, this ice storm, which has resulted in catastrophic damage to northern Michigan, is unlike anything we have witnessed. The transmission lines carrying high voltage electricity to many northern Michigan substations – not just those maintained by Great Lakes Energy, saw an unprecedented amount of damage.
We can all agree, this ice storm, which has resulted in catastrophic damage to northern Michigan, is unlike anything we have witnessed. The transmission lines carrying high voltage electricity to many northern Michigan substations – not just those maintained by Great Lakes Energy, saw an unprecedented amount of damage.
Many roads and right of way remain inaccessible, including access to transmission lines and GLE infrastructure. There is substantial work to do beyond those downed limbs and trees that are blocking the way, but without access, assessing damages and beginning the planning and prep needed to replace the poles and lines is nearly impossible.
Wolverine Power Cooperative, GLE’s power supplier, activated their crews quickly to assess damage to their transmission lines. Included in their approach was the use of a helicopter. When boots can’t be on the ground, they take to the sky.
Ashley Smith, vice president of engineering, was able to ride along in the helicopter and assess damages to some of the hardest hit GLE areas. Equipped with an iPad for the flight, Smith and the engineering department are now able to use GPS coordinates and assign them in the mapping system, giving them a birds eye view of the damage and materials that will be needed to replace the infrastructure, when crews can access the area from the ground.
In addition to aerial views from the helicopter, drones are being used to evaluate areas not accessible from the ground to note materials needed to replace broken poles and damaged equipment.
The birddog crews, who head out ahead of the linemen, are also continuing to evaluate the infrastructure from the ground where they can, taking detailed notes of materials needed to get poles and lines back up and outages restored.
Gathering all this information is the engineering department, who are diligently working on new system maps, essentially rebuilding our grid from the ground up in many locations.
In an effort to streamline the process, the materials needed to make that happen, from poles, to wires, to transformers, and everything between, are being ordered in location-specific groups, with the plan to have the materials delivered right to the closest staging site.
While the damage is significant, the coordinated efforts of all GLE staff is aiding in power restoration. By combining aerial technology, boots-on-the-ground assessments, and strategic planning, GLE is committed to rebuilding.
As recovery continues, we appreciate the patience and support of our members. The road ahead is challenging, but together, we will restore power to our communities.
