DTE Energy crews are in the final phases of rebuilding the overhead and underground infrastructure that powers both Northwest and Downtown Ann Arbor. This is a more than $20 million investment to inspect and replace 14 miles of new overhead and underground wires and electrical equipment, install new utility poles, trim trees and install smart devices into the system, which will help automatically reroute power to many customers during an outage. The work will help improve safety and reliability, in addition to supporting the growing energy needs in your community when it is completed later this year.
This work also is part of DTE’s four-point plan to improve electric service: trimming trees, upgrading existing infrastructure, rebuilding older sections of the grid and accelerating our transition to a smart grid.
Our progress
Crews are currently in the Northwest area of the city near the Ann Arbor Water Treatment Plant. They have been working along the streets and in customers’ back yards to replace overhead poles, wires, transformers and electrical equipment that deliver power from the local substation in downtown Ann Arbor to homes and businesses in the area.
This new equipment is stronger and more resistant to damage during storms. It is also safer and can deliver a higher voltage of power, which means we will be able to distribute power to more customers and support more electric vehicles and electric appliances. These infrastructure improvements will help drive toward Ann Arbor’s aspirational A2Zero goals.
Switching to the new system
Once crews finish rebuilding the infrastructure in this area, they will switch customers over to the new electric power system. To safely make the switch, a short, planned outage is necessary. We will notify impacted customers in advance of the outage.
Customers will begin seeing improvements in their electric service, especially during extreme weather, following the switch to the new system later this year.
Learn more about work happening in your community at empoweringmichigan.com/reliability-improvements.