Since fall of 2023, DTE Energy has been engaged in advancing electric reliability work on several key circuits in Livonia.
We analyzed the data and determined that eight circuits had performed lower than our standards, then set a work plan in motion to make critical improvements on these circuits with an aim to improve electric reliability for our Livonia customers.
These focused areas serve a wide variety of customers in Livonia, from a circuit in and around the municipal complex, including city hall, first responders and the heating/cooling centers, to circuits that are tied to many other local business and thousands of residential customers. To date, all eight circuits have received numerous upgrades and, in many cases, that work has been extensive.
Much of the system improvement work over more than 50 miles on these circuits is already complete. These improvements always include a full circuit patrol by our Engineering and Operations team, along with replacement and equipment upgrades, with more than 200 power poles replaced, plus pole top equipment, animal guards and much more, as needed.
We also first engaged in targeted tree trimming for most of these circuits across all parts of the city and have more maintenance tree trimming throughout the rest of 2024. By close of the project, nearly 120 miles of tree trimming and/or tree removal will have been completed this year in Livonia, and 98% of the city will be back on a regular tree trim schedule. Trees and their branches contacting our equipment account for half of the time customers spend without power. Trimming the trees away from electric equipment will have a positive impact on improving your overall electric reliability, especially during extreme weather events.
As our frontline crews keep working to improve electric service for our customers in Livonia, watch for more updates as this project continues during the rest of 2024.
To see where the work has been completed, is underway currently or still planned, visit our new Power Improvements Map at dteenergy.com/powermap.