DTE Energy’s four-point plan to improve reliability is well underway with crews across our service territory trimming trees, rebuilding sections of the grid, upgrading existing infrastructure and accelerating our transition to a smart grid. As part of this plan, we’re working to improve reliability for thousands of people in Chesterfield, Clinton, Harrison and Macomb Townships by upgrading electrical infrastructure and expanding the station that powers homes and businesses in the communities.
“We’re installing modernized electrical equipment at the Boyne Station in Macomb Township to relieve system overloads in the area,” said Dennis Schoetmer, project manager, Distribution Operations. “This is an important station because it feeds out to six substations that power a number of neighborhoods and businesses in Chesterfield, Clinton, Harrison and Macomb Townships.
“This work, along with other infrastructure improvement projects, will increase reliability, expand capacity to help support the growing energy needs of homes and businesses and give us the ability to connect new customers,” Schoetmer added.
The projects, which are nearing completion, include:
- Installation of modernized electrical equipment at the station to provide additional electrical capacity and reduce outages.
- Upgrading miles of overhead and underground electrical equipment to improve the existing infrastructure, which will enhance reliability for thousands of customers.
- Trimming or removing trees that may Interfere with power lines, causing outages.
New poles and overhead work on Harper.
The energy needs for this area have grown significantly over time. People and businesses are using more power than ever to support smart homes and businesses, working from home, high-energy businesses like indoor agriculture and more. This work will support DTE’s commitment to providing customers with the affordable, safe and reliable energy they need, when they need it.
Project Progress:
Fall 2021 – July 2023: Boyne station expansion
- Fall 2021: DTE crews began trunk line expansions and additions to support the area substations.
- September 2021 to February 2022: Installed steel poles and overhead lines along Gratiot Avenue south of Hall Road in Clinton Township.
- October 2021 to February 2022: Replaced underground cables to double the power delivery capacity to the Beach and Omega substations around 15 Mile Road and Harper Avenue in Clinton Township.
- February 2022: DTE crews began upgrading overhead lines with larger conductors to increase capacity to the Beach and Omega substations along Joy Blvd in Clinton Township.
- April 2022: DTE crews began installing below-grade structures such as additional foundations and underground conduits.
- August 2022 to July 2023: Install electrical equipment including a second 120kV/40kV transformer, 120kV circuit switcher, circuit breakers, 40kV bus, relay protection, voltage support capacitor and new 40kV TRK line to relieve overloads in the area. The substation upgrades provide redundancy for equipment maintenance and future growth.
- August 2022 to July 2023: Install underground conduits and cable from Boyne Station along 21 Mile Road to Gratiot Avenue in Macomb and Chesterfield Township.
- February 2023 to July 2023: Finish overhead line work along Gratiot Avenue and Hall Road, connecting with new line on Gratiot Avenue in Chesterfield and Clinton Townships.
- June 2023 to July 2023: Installed a substation communications network cabinet and fiber optic cables to establish a Field Communications Network (FCN) that uses Internet Protocol (IP) data communications with the DTE System Operations Center (SOC).
See how we’re implementing our four-point reliability improvement plan in your area at empoweringmichigan.com/reliability-improvements.
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- New poles on Gratiot.
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- New poles on Joy.
