1 00:00:01,400 --> 00:00:03,333 [narrator] On "Tomorrow's World Today," we explore the cutting-edge 2 00:00:03,400 --> 00:00:05,734 advances that are shaping four different worlds. 3 00:00:05,800 --> 00:00:08,533 The world of inspiration, where the wonders of 4 00:00:08,600 --> 00:00:10,867 the natural world amaze and inspire us. 5 00:00:10,867 --> 00:00:14,233 The world of creation, where ideas come to life from 6 00:00:14,300 --> 00:00:15,367 traditional arts. 7 00:00:15,367 --> 00:00:18,567 The world of innovation, where ideas and inventions 8 00:00:18,567 --> 00:00:20,033 move us all forward. 9 00:00:20,100 --> 00:00:22,567 The world of production, where innovations 10 00:00:22,567 --> 00:00:24,867 are mass-produced to improve our lives. 11 00:00:24,867 --> 00:00:28,333 From Inventionland World Headquarters, here's your host, 12 00:00:28,400 --> 00:00:29,767 George Davison. 13 00:00:30,400 --> 00:00:34,100 Electricity as we know it began with a bold experiment 14 00:00:34,867 --> 00:00:39,233 involving a kite, a key, and a storm. 15 00:00:39,300 --> 00:00:42,667 When Ben Franklin first captured energy from 16 00:00:42,667 --> 00:00:46,634 lightning, he revolutionized our understanding of power. 17 00:00:46,700 --> 00:00:49,967 This experiment ultimately led to the invention of 18 00:00:49,967 --> 00:00:53,867 the lightning rod, protecting homes and barns. 19 00:00:53,867 --> 00:00:58,233 It also sparked the world's first ideas about harnessing 20 00:00:58,300 --> 00:01:02,467 energy to improve life. So let's fast-forward to today. 21 00:01:02,467 --> 00:01:06,667 Electricity powers nearly everything that we do. 22 00:01:06,667 --> 00:01:11,233 The light bulb, electric cars, and even our smartphones all 23 00:01:11,300 --> 00:01:14,266 trace their origins back to that spark of discovery. 24 00:01:14,266 --> 00:01:18,533 Now over time, we created entire industries 25 00:01:18,600 --> 00:01:23,266 dedicated to generating and then delivering power. 26 00:01:23,266 --> 00:01:28,266 Our world relies on electricity more than ever, and it's driving 27 00:01:28,266 --> 00:01:32,100 continuous innovation to meet increasing demand. 28 00:01:32,100 --> 00:01:35,667 Yet progress also brings new challenges. 29 00:01:35,667 --> 00:01:39,066 So how do we produce enough electricity to sustain 30 00:01:39,066 --> 00:01:41,033 our growing population? 31 00:01:41,100 --> 00:01:44,467 And how do we innovate to make it reliable, 32 00:01:44,467 --> 00:01:47,734 renewable, and affordable for everyone? 33 00:01:47,800 --> 00:01:51,467 These are big questions that shape the future of energy 34 00:01:51,467 --> 00:01:53,367 and the direction of our technology. 35 00:01:53,367 --> 00:01:57,166 So I'm gonna send Greg to the world of innovation in 36 00:01:57,166 --> 00:02:00,433 Grand Rapids, Michigan, to explore how leaders in this 37 00:02:00,500 --> 00:02:04,000 field are pioneering new approaches to energy. 38 00:02:09,266 --> 00:02:11,467 [Greg] Whether powering homes, businesses, 39 00:02:11,467 --> 00:02:14,266 or entire communities, energy companies are taking 40 00:02:14,266 --> 00:02:16,166 a forward-thinking approach to innovation. 41 00:02:16,166 --> 00:02:19,767 I'm in Grand Rapids, Michigan at Consumers Energy to 42 00:02:19,767 --> 00:02:22,100 meet with Lauren Snyder, Vice President of 43 00:02:22,100 --> 00:02:24,867 Customer Experience, to discuss their cutting-edge projects 44 00:02:24,867 --> 00:02:28,200 and their vision for energy in tomorrow's world. 45 00:02:32,967 --> 00:02:34,066 -Hey, Greg. -Hi, Lauren. 46 00:02:34,066 --> 00:02:36,533 -Welcome to Consumers Energy. -Thank you very much. 47 00:02:36,600 --> 00:02:38,266 I'm excited to be here and excited to learn more about 48 00:02:38,266 --> 00:02:39,300 what it is that you do. 49 00:02:39,300 --> 00:02:40,767 -Yeah. Tell me a little bit about your mission. 50 00:02:40,767 --> 00:02:44,133 OK, so I have to start with explaining where we are. 51 00:02:44,200 --> 00:02:48,333 So us Michiganders, we like to use the hand as our map. 52 00:02:48,400 --> 00:02:51,567 And we at Consumers Energy get the privilege to serve 53 00:02:51,567 --> 00:02:55,467 6.8 million customers with electricity and natural gas. 54 00:02:55,467 --> 00:02:57,066 [Greg] Now, as we look towards the future 55 00:02:57,066 --> 00:02:59,166 and the electrification of things, 56 00:02:59,166 --> 00:03:00,667 a lot of folks are worried about the grid, 57 00:03:00,667 --> 00:03:03,166 and some of the problems that we've seen that have occurred with that. 58 00:03:03,166 --> 00:03:05,166 What are you doing towards that end to make sure that all of 59 00:03:05,166 --> 00:03:06,667 this energy remains reliable? 60 00:03:06,667 --> 00:03:10,533 So we are deeply committed to providing reliable energy 61 00:03:10,600 --> 00:03:12,867 that's affordable and it's clean. 62 00:03:12,867 --> 00:03:16,567 And myself and my 8,000 coworkers at Consumers Energy, 63 00:03:16,567 --> 00:03:19,266 we all live and work in Michigan. 64 00:03:19,266 --> 00:03:22,867 We're deeply committed to this state and the success of this state. 65 00:03:22,867 --> 00:03:24,667 And the work that we do at Consumers Energy is to make 66 00:03:24,667 --> 00:03:27,166 sure that we are leaving this state better than we found it. 67 00:03:27,166 --> 00:03:31,967 We have a big ambition to be net-zero by 2040. 68 00:03:31,967 --> 00:03:32,834 That's excellent. 69 00:03:32,834 --> 00:03:34,266 I would love to learn more about that. 70 00:03:34,266 --> 00:03:35,900 All right, let's go. 71 00:03:36,967 --> 00:03:40,033 So Lauren, as we talk about a net-zero future, 72 00:03:41,166 --> 00:03:43,367 none of this is anything new for Consumers Energy. -No. 73 00:03:43,367 --> 00:03:45,567 You've actually been involved in alternate sources of 74 00:03:45,567 --> 00:03:47,166 generating energy since the '70s. 75 00:03:47,166 --> 00:03:49,066 -Yeah. -But now there's a real shift happening. 76 00:03:49,066 --> 00:03:49,900 Tell me more about that. 77 00:03:49,900 --> 00:03:52,533 So innovation is a key part of our plan 78 00:03:52,600 --> 00:03:54,166 as well as reliability. 79 00:03:54,166 --> 00:03:57,767 And so the way that we are gonna deliver a reliable energy 80 00:03:57,767 --> 00:04:01,734 to our Michiganders, our customers, is through what 81 00:04:01,800 --> 00:04:02,967 we call our clean energy plan. 82 00:04:02,967 --> 00:04:06,634 And this is a plan that is comprised of a diverse mix of 83 00:04:06,700 --> 00:04:09,767 generation supply. We start with our gas plants. 84 00:04:09,767 --> 00:04:12,266 As we start to make this transition, they are 85 00:04:12,266 --> 00:04:13,233 the base load. 86 00:04:13,233 --> 00:04:16,934 You layer on renewables like solar and wind, 87 00:04:17,000 --> 00:04:19,533 and then you compliment those renewables with 88 00:04:19,600 --> 00:04:21,266 battery storage. 89 00:04:21,266 --> 00:04:26,100 The other aspect of our plan is an opportunity for us to engage 90 00:04:26,100 --> 00:04:29,767 with our Michiganders in ways that we haven't before. 91 00:04:29,767 --> 00:04:35,266 We are working with them to use less energy and to shift usage. 92 00:04:35,266 --> 00:04:39,433 You know, we have the greatest demand on our electric system 93 00:04:39,500 --> 00:04:43,567 during the summer when our customers crank up 94 00:04:43,567 --> 00:04:44,934 their air conditioning units. 95 00:04:45,000 --> 00:04:46,934 And so having them shift their usage is 96 00:04:47,000 --> 00:04:48,867 also a key aspect of this plan. 97 00:04:48,867 --> 00:04:52,567 -OK, well, that's asking Michiganders to engage... -Yeah. 98 00:04:52,567 --> 00:04:53,667 ...in a new way. 99 00:04:53,667 --> 00:04:55,567 -Yes. -So now they've got to buy into this as well. 100 00:04:55,567 --> 00:04:57,266 What's really in it for them in the end? 101 00:04:57,266 --> 00:05:02,767 Well, to start with, this is a more affordable plan. 102 00:05:02,767 --> 00:05:07,266 So between now and 2040, we will reduce operational 103 00:05:07,266 --> 00:05:10,033 costs by $600 million. 104 00:05:10,100 --> 00:05:13,967 The second is a more reliable energy mix. 105 00:05:13,967 --> 00:05:17,867 And the third is a cleaner environment. 106 00:05:17,867 --> 00:05:20,033 I think about cleaner air. 107 00:05:20,100 --> 00:05:22,634 I think about the state of Michigan and the beautiful 108 00:05:22,700 --> 00:05:25,000 natural resources that we have with our Great Lakes. 109 00:05:25,000 --> 00:05:28,967 We are going to leave Michigan better than we found it. 110 00:05:28,967 --> 00:05:30,767 Well, I would really like to learn more about 111 00:05:30,767 --> 00:05:33,600 the Net-Zero 2040 plan. -Great, follow me. 112 00:05:36,767 --> 00:05:40,767 Becoming net zero by 2040 is a huge undertaking. 113 00:05:40,767 --> 00:05:42,467 What would drive a decision like that? 114 00:05:42,467 --> 00:05:43,634 It's a huge undertaking. 115 00:05:43,634 --> 00:05:46,667 You know, at Consumers Energy, we make decisions through 116 00:05:46,667 --> 00:05:48,867 the lens of what's best for people, 117 00:05:48,867 --> 00:05:51,867 for our planet, and prosperity, 118 00:05:51,867 --> 00:05:54,266 particularly for the state of Michigan. 119 00:05:54,266 --> 00:05:57,467 And so as we watch the economics of renewables get 120 00:05:57,467 --> 00:06:01,834 better, we knew that that would translate into more affordable 121 00:06:01,900 --> 00:06:04,100 bills for our customers. So that's a win. 122 00:06:04,100 --> 00:06:08,934 We know, too, that more renewable resources equates to 123 00:06:09,000 --> 00:06:11,567 cleaner air. That's a win for us. 124 00:06:11,567 --> 00:06:15,266 And then when we think about prosperity, a lot of companies 125 00:06:15,266 --> 00:06:16,767 have made sustainability goals. 126 00:06:16,767 --> 00:06:20,367 And in the spirit of retaining businesses and attracting 127 00:06:20,367 --> 00:06:23,133 new businesses, we wanna be able to deliver 128 00:06:23,200 --> 00:06:24,934 renewable solutions for them. 129 00:06:25,000 --> 00:06:26,867 OK, well, the economics of this are important. 130 00:06:26,867 --> 00:06:30,767 So as you look at completing your transition out of coal in 131 00:06:30,767 --> 00:06:34,567 2025, you look at those areas that -- where a coal plant was 132 00:06:34,567 --> 00:06:37,634 probably a really big part of their local economy. 133 00:06:37,700 --> 00:06:39,567 What are you doing to make sure that you don't leave 134 00:06:39,567 --> 00:06:41,133 those communities behind? 135 00:06:41,200 --> 00:06:42,200 Well, we aren't leaving them behind. 136 00:06:42,200 --> 00:06:45,066 We are just changing the way that we show up in 137 00:06:45,066 --> 00:06:46,200 those communities. 138 00:06:46,200 --> 00:06:48,166 Again, these are our neighbors, these are our families, 139 00:06:48,166 --> 00:06:49,367 these are our friends. 140 00:06:49,367 --> 00:06:53,567 And so we have made a concerted effort to partner with those 141 00:06:53,567 --> 00:06:56,233 communities to find out what would benefit them. 142 00:06:56,300 --> 00:06:58,967 What do they want to see here as we decommission 143 00:06:58,967 --> 00:07:00,467 these coal plants? 144 00:07:00,467 --> 00:07:04,000 You know, one great example is we are revitalizing one of 145 00:07:04,000 --> 00:07:07,567 our plants, the land on that property, we're turning that 146 00:07:07,567 --> 00:07:09,066 into a solar array. 147 00:07:09,066 --> 00:07:12,166 So that's just one example of how we are partnering to make 148 00:07:12,166 --> 00:07:15,767 sure that we are leaving those communities most impacted 149 00:07:15,767 --> 00:07:17,634 better than we found them. -Well, that sounds great. 150 00:07:17,700 --> 00:07:18,634 And I'm actually heading out to 151 00:07:18,634 --> 00:07:20,634 visit one of your solar gardens right now. 152 00:07:40,667 --> 00:07:44,333 [Greg] I'm at a Consumers Energy solar garden in Grand Rapids, 153 00:07:44,400 --> 00:07:46,867 Michigan, to discuss the future of solar panels with 154 00:07:46,867 --> 00:07:49,567 Jessica Woycehoski, Executive Director of 155 00:07:49,567 --> 00:07:52,066 Renewable Operations. 156 00:07:52,066 --> 00:07:55,367 So Jessica, when people think of Michigan, they might not be 157 00:07:55,367 --> 00:07:57,567 thinking of like, big sunshiny days. 158 00:07:57,567 --> 00:08:00,066 Is solar energy still really viable 159 00:08:00,066 --> 00:08:01,367 in an environment like this? 160 00:08:01,367 --> 00:08:03,467 Absolutely, we're here in Michigan on 161 00:08:03,467 --> 00:08:06,867 an October blue-sky day. It is powering up the panels. 162 00:08:06,867 --> 00:08:09,066 You've seen the frost that has melted up and it's getting 163 00:08:09,066 --> 00:08:11,567 ready to provide power to our friends and our neighbors. 164 00:08:11,567 --> 00:08:13,467 [Greg] Excellent, now how many of these arrays does 165 00:08:13,467 --> 00:08:14,867 Consumers Energy have? 166 00:08:14,867 --> 00:08:16,734 [Jessica] We have several arrays across the state that 167 00:08:16,800 --> 00:08:18,934 we have built, and we continue to build more 168 00:08:19,000 --> 00:08:21,367 as we work towards our clean energy plan. 169 00:08:21,367 --> 00:08:24,233 And we expect to have roughly maybe 10 or 20 projects here 170 00:08:24,300 --> 00:08:25,934 over the many, many years that we've got. 171 00:08:26,000 --> 00:08:27,767 OK, well, let's talk about some of the new technology 172 00:08:27,767 --> 00:08:29,266 that's going into those new arrays. 173 00:08:29,266 --> 00:08:30,266 Tell me about that. 174 00:08:30,266 --> 00:08:32,767 What you see here is what's called a monofilm. 175 00:08:32,767 --> 00:08:35,967 They only capture the sun from the very top of the panel. 176 00:08:35,967 --> 00:08:38,533 But in the future, we're gonna have bifacial modules. 177 00:08:38,600 --> 00:08:41,367 And what that means is that we will have the ability to 178 00:08:41,367 --> 00:08:43,967 capture the sun from behind the panel as well as from 179 00:08:43,967 --> 00:08:45,166 the front of the panel. 180 00:08:45,166 --> 00:08:47,967 So on the snowy winter days that we have here in Michigan, 181 00:08:47,967 --> 00:08:50,433 you're gonna have the sun reflect off of that snow. 182 00:08:50,500 --> 00:08:53,367 It's gonna hit that panel, and that will provide much more 183 00:08:53,367 --> 00:08:56,433 energy for our customers, 365 days a year. 184 00:08:56,500 --> 00:08:57,700 That's excellent. 185 00:08:57,700 --> 00:08:59,667 Anybody that's been out on a really snow-covered day knows 186 00:08:59,667 --> 00:09:01,367 just how bright that reflection can be. 187 00:09:01,367 --> 00:09:03,967 Now, these solar panels, these are fixed, correct? 188 00:09:03,967 --> 00:09:06,734 These are fixed panels, and that's another improvement 189 00:09:06,800 --> 00:09:09,533 in technology is we're gonna have single-axis trackers, 190 00:09:09,600 --> 00:09:10,800 and that is what it's gonna do. 191 00:09:10,800 --> 00:09:13,367 It's gonna track with the sun to give more and more power 192 00:09:13,367 --> 00:09:14,567 throughout the day. 193 00:09:14,567 --> 00:09:17,000 So I know that Consumers Energy is also involved in a lot of 194 00:09:17,000 --> 00:09:19,333 different alternate forms of energy generation. 195 00:09:19,400 --> 00:09:21,233 -Let's go talk about that. -Absolutely. 196 00:09:21,300 --> 00:09:24,667 Jessica, as we look at alternate ways to generate 197 00:09:24,667 --> 00:09:27,166 power and the energy mix that'll provide us with 198 00:09:27,166 --> 00:09:28,367 a greener future, 199 00:09:28,367 --> 00:09:31,000 hydroelectric is a big part of that. 200 00:09:31,000 --> 00:09:33,066 Tell me what Consumers Energy is doing in that field. 201 00:09:33,066 --> 00:09:36,266 [Jessica] Consumers Energy operates Ludington Pump Storage 202 00:09:36,266 --> 00:09:39,100 Facility, which acts like a really large battery. 203 00:09:39,100 --> 00:09:42,233 And we have operated it for 50 years. 204 00:09:42,300 --> 00:09:45,000 When built, it was the largest one in the world. 205 00:09:45,000 --> 00:09:48,934 And even 50 years later, it is still one of the largest. 206 00:09:55,767 --> 00:09:58,266 When you talk about it being a battery, explain to me how 207 00:09:58,266 --> 00:09:59,233 the whole system works. 208 00:09:59,233 --> 00:10:02,133 It is a facility that sits on Lake Michigan. 209 00:10:02,200 --> 00:10:05,834 And when we have beautiful sunny days where our solar 210 00:10:05,900 --> 00:10:08,934 facilities are generating a lot of power, a lot of extra power 211 00:10:09,000 --> 00:10:12,233 than what people of Michigan really need, we use that power 212 00:10:12,300 --> 00:10:14,166 in order to turn on reversible pumps. 213 00:10:14,166 --> 00:10:17,166 Those reversible pumps pull up water into 214 00:10:17,166 --> 00:10:20,133 an 840-acre reservoir. 215 00:10:20,200 --> 00:10:22,667 It sits about 363 feet high. 216 00:10:22,667 --> 00:10:24,934 That water sits there until people of Michigan 217 00:10:25,000 --> 00:10:26,367 really need it. 218 00:10:26,367 --> 00:10:29,467 And then we draw that down by gravity. 219 00:10:29,467 --> 00:10:32,967 It spins a turbine generator and it creates power. 220 00:10:32,967 --> 00:10:36,133 Wow, so it really is like a different kind of a battery, 221 00:10:36,200 --> 00:10:38,033 like not the way we would typically think about it. 222 00:10:38,100 --> 00:10:41,266 You use when demand is low, you pull that power up to 223 00:10:41,266 --> 00:10:43,367 the reservoir and then just let gravity do the work. 224 00:10:43,367 --> 00:10:44,333 [Jessica] Correct. 225 00:10:44,333 --> 00:10:45,967 So, it sounds like it would be pretty clean. 226 00:10:45,967 --> 00:10:49,533 It's just water that's flowing down by gravity to create power. 227 00:10:49,600 --> 00:10:50,800 That's excellent. 228 00:10:50,800 --> 00:10:52,934 Well, there's a new technology that I've just been learning 229 00:10:53,000 --> 00:10:55,333 about that I'm really interested in finding out some 230 00:10:55,400 --> 00:10:57,767 more about it, a renewable natural gas. 231 00:10:57,767 --> 00:11:01,834 -Can we talk about that? -Yeah, absolutely, let's go. 232 00:11:01,900 --> 00:11:04,100 Well, Jessica, we're all pretty familiar with the way natural 233 00:11:04,100 --> 00:11:07,333 gas has been provided for us for a very long time, which is 234 00:11:07,400 --> 00:11:09,934 you drill for it. So how can that be renewable? 235 00:11:10,000 --> 00:11:13,033 That process is definitely not a renewable process. 236 00:11:13,100 --> 00:11:15,634 What is renewable that we're working on is that we utilize 237 00:11:15,700 --> 00:11:16,834 cows and manure. 238 00:11:16,834 --> 00:11:21,266 And so that manure generates methane gas, which can be 239 00:11:21,266 --> 00:11:24,266 collected and it'll provide a low-cost, clean energy 240 00:11:24,266 --> 00:11:27,166 alternative to the natural gas we provide today. 241 00:11:27,166 --> 00:11:29,934 Is it the same as fossilized natural gas? 242 00:11:30,000 --> 00:11:32,233 They're chemically exactly the same. 243 00:11:32,300 --> 00:11:34,367 The only difference is that we are getting that from 244 00:11:34,367 --> 00:11:36,634 a renewable resource, which is cow manure. 245 00:11:36,700 --> 00:11:39,000 Consumers Energy doesn't operate its own dairy farm. 246 00:11:39,000 --> 00:11:40,467 How are you making all that happen? 247 00:11:40,467 --> 00:11:43,166 We've got two industries that are combining together. 248 00:11:43,166 --> 00:11:46,066 You have an energy utility and you have your local 249 00:11:46,066 --> 00:11:47,266 community farm dairies. 250 00:11:47,266 --> 00:11:49,834 So we're gonna come together and we're going to be able to 251 00:11:49,900 --> 00:11:52,567 create a low-cost alternative to natural gas. 252 00:11:52,567 --> 00:11:54,634 How have the dairy farmers been reacting to all this? 253 00:11:54,700 --> 00:11:55,467 [Jessica] They've been excited. 254 00:11:55,467 --> 00:11:57,066 I think it's a great opportunity. 255 00:11:57,066 --> 00:12:02,166 And one story we have is that we are building a 140-megawatt 256 00:12:02,166 --> 00:12:04,467 solar facility called Spring Creek. 257 00:12:04,467 --> 00:12:08,033 And next to that is also Spring Creek Dairy Farms. 258 00:12:08,100 --> 00:12:11,333 And joining those two together, it really sets up that 259 00:12:11,400 --> 00:12:14,066 Spring Creek Dairy Farm to be very prosperous 260 00:12:14,066 --> 00:12:15,934 here at the state of Michigan. 261 00:12:16,000 --> 00:12:17,567 Thank you very much for teaching me about a lot of 262 00:12:17,567 --> 00:12:19,367 great new technologies that are gonna be happening in 263 00:12:19,367 --> 00:12:21,533 energy production. -Yeah, you're welcome. 264 00:12:41,266 --> 00:12:43,967 [Greg] I'm meeting with Neil Dreisig, Executive Director of 265 00:12:43,967 --> 00:12:46,934 Natural Gas Strategy and Projects to discuss clean, 266 00:12:47,000 --> 00:12:49,133 reliable, and affordable energy sources. 267 00:12:50,266 --> 00:12:51,867 -Hey, Neil. -Hi, Greg. 268 00:12:51,867 --> 00:12:53,567 -How are you? -Doing great, thanks. 269 00:12:53,567 --> 00:12:55,567 This facility is really something else. 270 00:12:55,567 --> 00:12:56,800 Tell me how this all works. 271 00:12:56,800 --> 00:13:00,467 This is a compressor station, and how this works is we take 272 00:13:00,467 --> 00:13:04,066 gas from outside the state, it comes in through 273 00:13:04,066 --> 00:13:06,266 transmission lines into this facility. 274 00:13:06,266 --> 00:13:10,233 And what this facility does is it takes it, pressurizes it 275 00:13:10,300 --> 00:13:12,533 and pushes it underground. 276 00:13:12,600 --> 00:13:16,867 Now the unique part about this is Michigan is geographically 277 00:13:16,867 --> 00:13:19,033 disadvantaged in that it's a peninsula, 278 00:13:19,100 --> 00:13:22,533 but it's geologically advantaged in that we have 279 00:13:22,600 --> 00:13:24,867 naturally occurring underground formations. 280 00:13:24,867 --> 00:13:28,233 These underground formations are about as close as you can 281 00:13:28,300 --> 00:13:30,233 get to an underground storage tank. 282 00:13:30,300 --> 00:13:32,066 Well, what would the advantage for your customers be in 283 00:13:32,066 --> 00:13:33,533 storing the gas this way? 284 00:13:33,600 --> 00:13:36,467 We buy the majority of our gas in the summertime 285 00:13:36,467 --> 00:13:38,233 when prices are low. 286 00:13:38,300 --> 00:13:40,834 We take the gas, we store it in these formations. 287 00:13:40,900 --> 00:13:44,567 When the colder months hit, we take the gas out of 288 00:13:44,567 --> 00:13:47,000 the formations and deliver it to customers 289 00:13:47,000 --> 00:13:48,934 when those prices are higher. 290 00:13:49,000 --> 00:13:51,266 But the best part is that the customer is paying 291 00:13:51,266 --> 00:13:52,300 the lower summer rate. 292 00:13:52,300 --> 00:13:54,567 Now, what are some of the other strategies that 293 00:13:54,567 --> 00:13:56,634 Consumers Energy has to help people 294 00:13:56,700 --> 00:13:57,967 reduce their energy costs. 295 00:13:57,967 --> 00:14:01,333 One of our favorite things to do is to partner with customers 296 00:14:01,400 --> 00:14:05,266 by going into their homes and helping them understand how 297 00:14:05,266 --> 00:14:07,033 energy efficiency works, 298 00:14:07,100 --> 00:14:10,166 strategies on how to use less energy. 299 00:14:10,166 --> 00:14:12,667 Well, that seems a little backward that an energy 300 00:14:12,667 --> 00:14:14,767 provider would want their customers to use less of 301 00:14:14,767 --> 00:14:16,567 the product, but I guess that's one of the ways that you're 302 00:14:16,567 --> 00:14:17,500 taking care of Michiganders. 303 00:14:17,500 --> 00:14:19,934 That's one way they can count on us, Greg. 304 00:14:22,266 --> 00:14:25,266 [Greg] Next, I met with Kelsea Salgado, who has had various 305 00:14:25,266 --> 00:14:26,900 roles at Consumers Energy. 306 00:14:27,867 --> 00:14:30,467 Kelsea, we've been talking a lot today about 307 00:14:30,467 --> 00:14:34,066 the transition away from coal and fossil fuels to renewable 308 00:14:34,066 --> 00:14:35,967 energies, and you've kind of 309 00:14:35,967 --> 00:14:37,767 followed the company through that transition. 310 00:14:37,767 --> 00:14:39,333 Tell me a little bit about your story. 311 00:14:39,400 --> 00:14:41,567 I started with Consumers Energy in the call center, 312 00:14:41,567 --> 00:14:43,834 and then I went from the call center to 313 00:14:43,900 --> 00:14:45,634 an auxiliary operator with the coal plant. 314 00:14:45,700 --> 00:14:48,266 Once it was announced what the future was for the coal 315 00:14:48,266 --> 00:14:51,367 plant, I then transitioned to the underground light 316 00:14:51,367 --> 00:14:54,033 department, and that's where I've been ever since. 317 00:14:54,100 --> 00:14:55,467 [Greg] OK, well tell me about that transition. 318 00:14:55,467 --> 00:14:57,433 Did Consumers make that easy for you? 319 00:14:57,500 --> 00:14:58,767 Yeah, they made it extremely easy. 320 00:14:58,767 --> 00:15:02,834 There's a multi-level process as you work your way up in that 321 00:15:02,900 --> 00:15:04,033 particular department. 322 00:15:04,033 --> 00:15:06,667 But we have, it's a combination of in-class training, 323 00:15:06,667 --> 00:15:09,767 in-the-field training, and then the apprenticeship 324 00:15:09,767 --> 00:15:11,567 that happens after that. -Excellent. 325 00:15:11,567 --> 00:15:13,467 Well, let's talk about the underground power lines 326 00:15:13,467 --> 00:15:15,467 because we're here on the west side of Grand Rapids. -Yes. 327 00:15:15,467 --> 00:15:18,367 And as I look up, there are not a lot of power lines. 328 00:15:18,367 --> 00:15:19,767 So tell me about that process. 329 00:15:19,767 --> 00:15:23,266 [Kelsea] So we go ahead and take the above-ground lines 330 00:15:23,266 --> 00:15:24,867 and we install them underground. 331 00:15:24,867 --> 00:15:26,333 [Greg] How do you get the power lines underground 332 00:15:26,400 --> 00:15:27,867 without digging up the whole town? 333 00:15:27,867 --> 00:15:29,667 [Kelsea] The boring machine, when you set it up, you'll set 334 00:15:29,667 --> 00:15:32,266 it up and back it up into an area in the direction that 335 00:15:32,266 --> 00:15:34,166 you want the rods to go. 336 00:15:34,166 --> 00:15:36,066 Once the rods are in the ground, you're actually 337 00:15:36,066 --> 00:15:37,567 going underneath the driveways. 338 00:15:37,567 --> 00:15:39,266 You're going underneath the sidewalks. 339 00:15:39,266 --> 00:15:41,333 Oftentimes you're going underneath trees. 340 00:15:41,400 --> 00:15:45,266 And then you place the wire on the opposite end of 341 00:15:45,266 --> 00:15:46,767 wherever you're going. 342 00:15:46,767 --> 00:15:48,266 And then you pull the wire actually through the ground. 343 00:15:48,266 --> 00:15:50,467 Sometimes you use water, sometimes you don't. 344 00:15:50,467 --> 00:15:52,333 That just has to do with the boring machine itself. 345 00:15:52,400 --> 00:15:54,567 So once you get the wire through, that's when you start 346 00:15:54,567 --> 00:15:57,634 putting the transformers and other mechanisms on top of 347 00:15:57,700 --> 00:16:00,066 it, or running them up the poles, if there is still 348 00:16:00,066 --> 00:16:01,300 that connection to overhead. 349 00:16:01,300 --> 00:16:04,867 And that's when we work jointly with the above ground linemen. 350 00:16:04,867 --> 00:16:07,166 Clearly, it's aesthetically pleasing to not have 351 00:16:07,166 --> 00:16:08,266 power lines everywhere. 352 00:16:08,266 --> 00:16:09,967 But does it have other impacts as well? 353 00:16:09,967 --> 00:16:11,734 Before being an auxiliary operator, 354 00:16:11,800 --> 00:16:13,033 I was working at the call center. 355 00:16:13,033 --> 00:16:14,767 And the call center gave me a front-row seat to hearing all 356 00:16:14,767 --> 00:16:18,433 the calls from customers, whether it was down power 357 00:16:18,500 --> 00:16:21,367 lines, it was tree on wire, the arcing and sparking that 358 00:16:21,367 --> 00:16:23,667 will happen anytime you have a wire across the road. 359 00:16:23,667 --> 00:16:26,567 There's a lot of dangers that are affiliated with that, 360 00:16:26,567 --> 00:16:30,433 whether it's an ice storm, there's rain, whatever kind of 361 00:16:30,500 --> 00:16:32,133 inclement weather that you have, putting them 362 00:16:32,200 --> 00:16:35,266 underground will eliminate or at least manage that risk to 363 00:16:35,266 --> 00:16:38,667 a much more maintainable level, making it much more reliable 364 00:16:38,667 --> 00:16:41,033 for our neighborhoods. -Kelsea, thank you very much. 365 00:16:41,100 --> 00:16:42,767 I wish you nothing but luck with your new role with 366 00:16:42,767 --> 00:16:44,667 Consumers Energy. Let's get on out of here. 367 00:16:44,667 --> 00:16:46,233 Wonderful, thank you. 368 00:17:03,266 --> 00:17:05,967 [Greg] I'm heading back to Grand Rapids to talk to Lauren Snyder 369 00:17:05,967 --> 00:17:08,400 about their energy efficiency programs. 370 00:17:09,166 --> 00:17:11,333 -Hey, Lauren. -Hey Greg, how'd it go out there? 371 00:17:11,400 --> 00:17:12,266 It was great. 372 00:17:12,266 --> 00:17:14,033 I got to see and learn so much today. 373 00:17:14,100 --> 00:17:15,233 I am so glad to hear that. 374 00:17:15,233 --> 00:17:17,967 OK, so before we leave, I have one more story to share 375 00:17:17,967 --> 00:17:20,166 with you that is really near and dear to my heart. 376 00:17:20,166 --> 00:17:24,133 So the city of Flint, we identified an opportunity to 377 00:17:24,200 --> 00:17:27,567 help some residents there really benefit from our energy 378 00:17:27,567 --> 00:17:28,767 efficiency programs. 379 00:17:28,767 --> 00:17:33,066 And to benefit, you have to have good roofing, you have to 380 00:17:33,066 --> 00:17:35,667 have proper insulation, upgraded windows, 381 00:17:35,667 --> 00:17:37,133 things like that. 382 00:17:37,200 --> 00:17:39,066 And at no cost to them, we did those things so that 383 00:17:39,066 --> 00:17:40,634 when we came in with our programs, 384 00:17:40,700 --> 00:17:43,567 they could actually see savings that were sustainable. 385 00:17:43,567 --> 00:17:46,934 The next thing that we're doing in Flint is around 386 00:17:47,000 --> 00:17:48,133 workforce development. 387 00:17:48,133 --> 00:17:51,734 We see an opportunity to go beyond just energy to help 388 00:17:51,800 --> 00:17:53,100 support our communities. 389 00:17:53,100 --> 00:17:56,333 It's an opportunity for residents in Flint to learn 390 00:17:56,400 --> 00:17:59,233 a new skill, and it benefits us because we're developing 391 00:17:59,300 --> 00:18:02,367 a pipeline of new workers into our programs. 392 00:18:02,367 --> 00:18:06,867 So it really demonstrates how together, our communities can 393 00:18:06,867 --> 00:18:10,734 count on us to help deliver a more sustainable future. 394 00:18:10,800 --> 00:18:11,867 Wow. 395 00:18:11,867 --> 00:18:13,867 That really is a next level community engagement. 396 00:18:13,867 --> 00:18:15,066 -Yes. -[Greg] Excellent. 397 00:18:15,066 --> 00:18:16,867 Well, I know you're heading off to Inventionland to meet up 398 00:18:16,867 --> 00:18:18,567 with George, and I've got to get back to Pittsburgh. 399 00:18:18,567 --> 00:18:20,433 -OK! -Let's go. 400 00:18:27,266 --> 00:18:29,333 Hey, Lauren. Welcome to Inventionland. 401 00:18:29,400 --> 00:18:30,867 -Thanks for having me. -Oh, you bet. 402 00:18:30,867 --> 00:18:34,367 Well, I got a great picture, and it's your grandfather, 403 00:18:34,367 --> 00:18:36,767 so you must be a third-gen. -I am. 404 00:18:36,767 --> 00:18:39,433 I'm a third-generation employee of Consumers Energy, 405 00:18:39,500 --> 00:18:41,533 and that's Russ Youngdahl Sr., my grandfather. 406 00:18:41,600 --> 00:18:43,066 Oh my goodness. 407 00:18:43,066 --> 00:18:45,100 And I hear he's quite an innovator. 408 00:18:45,100 --> 00:18:48,233 He was involved with this massive hydroelectric plant 409 00:18:48,300 --> 00:18:49,834 back in the day, wasn't he? -He was. 410 00:18:49,900 --> 00:18:50,834 You're looking at it. 411 00:18:50,834 --> 00:18:53,433 That's what it was back in the early '70s, 412 00:18:53,500 --> 00:18:55,166 and that's what it is today. 413 00:18:55,166 --> 00:18:59,333 So this powers 1800 megawatts of electricity, which equates 414 00:18:59,400 --> 00:19:02,967 to 1.4 million homes. -Oh my goodness. 415 00:19:02,967 --> 00:19:04,767 And you're tied to that. Way to go. 416 00:19:04,767 --> 00:19:05,867 Well, you know what else? 417 00:19:05,867 --> 00:19:07,834 I got this picture from your team. 418 00:19:07,900 --> 00:19:08,967 -You have a great team. -Yeah. 419 00:19:08,967 --> 00:19:12,467 And I was thinking, that looks like a robotic dog. 420 00:19:12,467 --> 00:19:14,734 And you know, at my house, we have dogs, 421 00:19:14,800 --> 00:19:16,333 and we love our dogs. 422 00:19:16,400 --> 00:19:18,433 And they, while we're sleeping, they keep up security 423 00:19:18,500 --> 00:19:20,734 and they monitor. -Oh yeah, exactly right. 424 00:19:20,800 --> 00:19:23,567 So this is our robotic dog, Spot. 425 00:19:23,567 --> 00:19:27,567 And his role is to patrol our substations and use 426 00:19:27,567 --> 00:19:30,967 infrared technology to identify if there's any issues. 427 00:19:30,967 --> 00:19:33,467 And if he comes across an issue, it will alert 428 00:19:33,467 --> 00:19:36,367 our crews to come out and fix the issue before 429 00:19:36,367 --> 00:19:39,367 a power outage occurs. -That makes a lot of sense. 430 00:19:39,367 --> 00:19:41,867 Does Spot have his own like, doghouse? 431 00:19:41,867 --> 00:19:43,533 Actually, he does. Yes, he does. 432 00:19:43,600 --> 00:19:44,600 That's where he goes to recharge. 433 00:19:44,600 --> 00:19:47,767 And then your team sent me this unique device. 434 00:19:47,767 --> 00:19:48,900 -What is this? -Yeah, yeah. 435 00:19:48,900 --> 00:19:50,934 So, you know, we've talked a lot about how we generate 436 00:19:51,000 --> 00:19:54,867 power and we also distribute that power to our customers 437 00:19:54,867 --> 00:19:56,033 over power lines. 438 00:19:56,033 --> 00:20:00,266 And we have enough power lines to circle the globe nearly 439 00:20:00,266 --> 00:20:02,166 four times. -Wow. 440 00:20:02,166 --> 00:20:03,567 It's a lot of power lines. 441 00:20:03,567 --> 00:20:06,166 So this is called a line sensor. 442 00:20:06,166 --> 00:20:09,367 And this line sensor hooks onto the power line. 443 00:20:09,367 --> 00:20:13,266 And it allows us to identify the source of the outage so 444 00:20:13,266 --> 00:20:16,467 that our crews know where to go and they're faster at 445 00:20:16,467 --> 00:20:18,767 restoring power. -Oh, I like this device. 446 00:20:18,767 --> 00:20:21,567 Well, everybody, thanks for tuning in for 447 00:20:21,567 --> 00:20:25,000 "Tomorrow's World Today." We'll see you next time. 448 00:20:29,467 --> 00:20:32,367 [George] And remember, tomorrow's world is where 449 00:20:32,367 --> 00:20:36,567 inspiration and creation drive innovation in production.