Consumers Energy Lands $20 Million Federal Award to Enhance Michigan’s EV-Ready Electric Grid

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Real-time data analytics will help Consumers Energy support Michigan’s growing EV market while improving grid reliability and resilience.

18,000 Smart Devices to Track EV Impact on the Grid

Consumers Energy has been selected by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) to receive nearly $20 million in federal funding to modernize Michigan’s electric grid and accommodate the rising adoption of electric vehicles (EVs). The grant, which is matched by an additional $20 million from Consumers Energy, will finance the deployment of artificial intelligence (AI)-powered technology to optimize the grid and ensure seamless integration of EVs.

This initiative, part of the DOE’s Grid Resilience and Innovation Partnerships (GRIP) Program, aims to boost grid efficiency and reliability by equipping 18,000 electric meters used by Michigan EV owners with real-time monitoring capabilities. The rollout will focus on providing insights into how EVs affect grid demand, particularly in economically disadvantaged communities.

“Consumers Energy is building a stronger and smarter grid to power the next generation of clean vehicles,” said Lauren Snyder, vice president of customer experience at Consumers Energy. “This allows us to quickly put cutting-edge technology to work and support the growing number of EVs in Michigan.”

Artificial Intelligence at the Heart of the Initiative

Consumers Energy has partnered with AI-technology provider Utilidata, which will supply customized NVIDIA AI modules to be installed on the electric meters. These modules will allow for grid-edge analytics, delivering real-time insights and predictive capabilities to help manage EV adoption without overloading the system.

The project will also advance local manufacturing by leveraging Utilidata’s innovation lab in Ann Arbor and production in Novi through a partnership with Brooks Utility Products.

"Utilidata’s distributed AI technology will give Consumers Energy the tools needed to efficiently integrate more distributed energy resources and maintain grid reliability," said Jess Melanson, president and COO of Utilidata.

Prioritizing Communities and Research Partnerships

Over half of the 18,000 devices will be installed in economically disadvantaged communities, ensuring Consumers Energy can tailor its EV support programs to meet the unique needs of these areas. The company has also partnered with General Motors, the University of Michigan Transportation Research Institute, and the Electric Power Research Institute to implement the AI-enhanced grid monitoring.

This collaborative effort will not only improve grid performance but also ensure that EV adoption aligns with the state’s carbon neutrality goals. Consumers Energy aims to eliminate coal as an energy source by 2025 and achieve net-zero carbon emissions in the years to follow.

Supporting Michigan’s Clean Energy Transition

Consumers Energy has committed to making EV ownership affordable and accessible for all residents of Michigan. As the state’s largest energy provider, Consumers Energy delivers electricity and natural gas to 6.8 million residents across 68 Lower Peninsula counties.

The company’s Clean Energy Plan focuses on meeting 90% of energy needs through renewable sources such as wind and solar, reflecting a long-term strategy to create a sustainable energy ecosystem in Michigan.

With this investment in AI-powered grid infrastructure, Consumers Energy is positioning itself as a leader in EV grid integration while ensuring the transition to carbon-free energy remains on track.

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