Bookmark this blog as we will be updating it regularly with progress on our upgrades in Ann Arbor.
DTE Energy is on pace to invest $360 million from 2019 to 2029 to modernize Ann Arbor’s infrastructure. As part of this work, you’ve likely noticed many DTE trucks around the city recently. Our crews are working hard to improve your electric reliability and prepare our system for the increasingly extreme weather that the Ann Arbor area — and all of Michigan — has been experiencing. The work will also help support the city’s sustainability goals.
March 19, 2025
Our crews have been hard at work to upgrade and rebuild the infrastructure that delivers power to Ann Arbor. As storm season approaches, these upgrades will help ensure the electric grid can withstand whatever Mother Nature brings our way. Some of the work includes:
- Installing smart grid technology. These devices can pinpoint the damage location that caused an outage and reroute power to many customers. Smart devices also keep people safer by de-energizing downed power lines.
- Inspecting the substations that power Ann Arbor and making upgrades and repairs where needed. Substations are critical parts of the electric grid that adjust voltage levels coming from power plants to distribute electricity safely and efficiently to homes and businesses.
- Rebuilding significant portions of the electric infrastructure that powers Ann Arbor. This work includes building substations from scratch and installing all new power delivery equipment like poles, power lines and transformers. We currently have six rebuilding projects underway.
- An $18 million project in northwest and downtown Ann Arbor to rebuild around eight miles of equipment from 2021 to 2025.
- A more than $1.5 million project in downtown Ann Arbor to rebuild over a mile of equipment from February to April 2025.
- A $50 million project in northeast Ann Arbor and Superior Township to build a new substation and rebuild 17 miles of equipment from 2023 to 2028.
- A $50 million project on the southwest side of Ann Arbor to build a new substation and rebuild 35 miles of equipment from 2024 to 2029.
- A $65 million project on the southeast side of Ann Arbor to build a new substation and rebuild 35 miles of equipment from 2024 to 2029.
- A more than $2 million project on the west side of Ypsilanti to rebuild nearly two miles of equipment from February to April 2025.
- Upgrading power delivery infrastructure like poles, pole-top equipment and transformers. So far, we have installed more than 220 new poles, 360 crossarms and nearly 70 transformers.
- Installing new, upgraded power lines and equipment. The new lines and equipment can carry a higher voltage of power, which improves power quality and will allow us to support more electric vehicles and appliances.
- Trimming trees or removing near power lines to reduce the chances that limbs will fall on the power equipment and cause outages. We have trimmed nearly 28 miles of trees in the city since October 2024 as part of this work.
All this work will help improve electric service for customers in Ann Arbor. Learn more about work happening in your community at empoweringmichigan.com/reliability-improvements or DTE’s Power Improvements Map.
Feb. 28, 2025
Our work to build a smarter, stronger grid throughout Ann Arbor is well underway. Since October 2024, crews have been working in all areas of the city to rebuild and upgrade electric infrastructure, including:
- Installing smart grid technology. These devices can pinpoint the damage location that caused an outage and reroute power to many customers. Smart devices also keep people safer by de-energizing downed power lines.
- Inspecting the substations that power Ann Arbor and making upgrades and repairs where needed.
- Rebuilding significant portions of the electric infrastructure that powers Ann Arbor. This work includes building substations from scratch and installing all new power delivery equipment like poles, power lines and transformers. We currently have six rebuilding projects underway.
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- An $18 million project in northwest and downtown Ann Arbor to rebuild around eight miles of equipment from 2021 to 2025.
- A more than $1.5 million project in downtown Ann Arbor to rebuild over a mile of equipment from February to April 2025.
- A $50 million project in northeast Ann Arbor and Superior Township to build a new substation and rebuild 17 miles of equipment from 2023 to 2028.
- A $50 million project on the southwest side of Ann Arbor to build a new substation and rebuild 35 miles of equipment from 2024 to 2029.
- A $65 million project on the southeast side of Ann Arbor to build a new substation and rebuild 35 miles of equipment from 2024 to 2029.
- A more than $2 million project on the west side of Ypsilanti to rebuild nearly two miles of equipment from February to April 2025.
- Upgrading power delivery infrastructure like poles, pole-top equipment and transformers. So far, we have installed around 200 new poles, 360 crossarms and 70 transformers.
- Installing new, upgraded power lines and equipment. The new lines and equipment can carry a higher voltage of power, which improves power quality and will allow us to support more electric vehicles and appliances.
- Trimming trees or removing near power lines to reduce the chances that limbs will fall on the power equipment and cause outages. We have trimmed nearly 19 miles of trees in the city since October 2024 as part of this work.
All this work will help improve electric service for customers in Ann Arbor. Learn more about work happening in your community at empoweringmichigan.com/reliability-improvements or DTE’s Power Improvements Map.
Jan. 24, 2025
Since October, we have made significant progress toward upgrading and rebuilding the grid in Ann Arbor, which will enhance reliability and support the city’s 100% clean energy goals. Our work includes:
- Inspected the substations that power Ann Arbor and are making upgrades and repairs where needed.
- Rebuilding significant portions of the electric infrastructure that powers Ann Arbor. This work includes building substations from scratch and installing all new power delivery equipment like poles, power lines and transformers. We currently have three rebuilding projects underway.
- An $18 million project in northwest and downtown Ann Arbor to rebuild around eight miles of equipment from 2021 to 2025.
- A $50 million project in northeast Ann Arbor and Superior Township to build a new substation and rebuild 17 miles of equipment from 2023 to 2028.
- A $50 million project on the southwest side of Ann Arbor to build a new substation and rebuild 35 miles of equipment from 2024 to 2029.
- Upgrading power delivery infrastructure like poles, pole-top equipment and transformers. So far, we have installed more than 100 new poles, nearly 250 crossarms and more than 40 transformers.
- Installing new, upgraded power lines and equipment. The new lines and equipment can carry a higher voltage of power, which improves power quality and will allow us to support more electric vehicles and appliances.
- Trimming trees or removing near power lines to reduce the chances that limbs will fall on the power equipment and cause outages.
All this work will help improve electric service for customers in Ann Arbor now and far in the future. Learn more about work happening in your community at empoweringmichigan.com/reliability-improvements or DTE’s Power Improvements Map.
Dec. 16, 2024
We have 20 crews working daily, upgrading the infrastructure that delivers power to homes and businesses throughout the city. Since October 2024, we have made the following improvements:
- Rebuilding electric infrastructure on the northeast side of Ann Arbor as part of an $18 million project.
- Inspected the substations that power Ann Arbor and are making upgrades and repairs where needed.
- Upgrading power delivery infrastructure like poles, pole-top equipment and transformers. So far, we have installed more than 50 new poles, 100 crossarms and 25 transformers.
- Installing new, upgraded power lines and equipment. The new lines and equipment can carry a higher voltage of power, which improves power quality and will allow us to support more electric vehicles and appliances.
- Trimming trees near power lines to reduce the chances that limbs will fall on the power equipment and cause outages.
All this work is part of our plan to build the electric grid of the future and will significantly improve your electric reliability, helping to keep your power on even when Mother Nature does her worst.
Thank you for your patience as we enhance your service — we’ll continue to keep you updated on our progress here. For more information on work happening throughout the communities we serve, visit empoweringmichigan.com/reliability-improvements or DTE’s Power Improvements Map.
Nov. 22, 2024
DTE Energy is building a smarter, stronger and more resilient electric grid in Ann Arbor to help keep the power on, even during extreme weather. This is part of DTE’s commitment to reducing power outages by 30% while cutting outage time in half by the end of 2029.
From 2024 to 2029, DTE plans to invest $250 million to continue modernizing the electric grid in Ann Arbor, building upon the $110 million already invested from 2019 to 2023.
Upgrading the grid will enable DTE to better maintain power during extreme weather and will add capacity to the grid to support future growth and electric demand in Ann Arbor. Additionally, the added capacity will allow DTE to connect more electric vehicles, electric home appliances and renewable energy to the grid, aligning with Ann Arbor’s A2Zero 100% clean energy goals.
The investments support DTE’s plan to build the grid of the future including transitioning to a smarter electric grid, upgrading existing infrastructure, rebuilding significant portions of the grid and trimming trees.
Work progress
- Investing $18 million to rebuild the infrastructure that powers northwest/downtown Ann Arbor from 2021 to 2025
- Investing $50 million to rebuild the infrastructure that powers Superior Township/northeast Ann Arbor from 2023 to 2028
- Installing smart grid devices on power poles which will help pinpoint the damage that caused an outage and reroute power to customers. 25% of the power delivery system in Ann Arbor is expected to be automated by the end of 2025 and 100% through 2029
- Inspecting power poles and equipment, upgrading or making repairs where needed to ensure the system can withstand extreme weather. DTE expects to replace around 345 older poles with new, stronger ones by the end of 2024. Crews will continue this work through 2025
- Inspecting equipment at the substations that power Ann Arbor to ensure it is working properly and making replacements or upgrades where necessary. This work will ensure power is delivered reliability to homes and businesses in the city
- Trimming trees. By the end of the year, all trees near the power lines that serve Ann Arbor will have been trimmed, with the city on a five-year maintenance cycle
For more information about the work happening in your community, visit empoweringmichigan.com or DTE’s Power Improvements Map.
