DTE Energy is dedicated to constructing a smarter, stronger and more resilient grid to improve reliability. Our commitment to customers is to reduce power outages by 30% and to cut outage durations in half by 2029.
New power poles are always an important part of our equipment upgrades, when and where needed. Sometimes, that’s because the pole to be replaced is old and weathered, as well as the equipment on top of it. But it can also be due to unforeseen damage to the equipment.
That’s what happened recently in Detroit in an alleyway near Zender Place and Mt. Elliott, where a pole was damaged by a large truck. Our crews arrived to make the area safe, then replace the broken pole with a brand-new wood pole. Part of replacing the pole also involved installing new fiberglass arms atop the pole and transferring the wires from old pole to new. Once the wires were moved to the new pole, the crews were able to safely remove the old, damaged pole. Then, the line was ready to be safely energized and provide power again for our nearby customers.
This kind of upgrading work is part of DTE’s ongoing plan to build the grid of the future. That plan includes transitioning to a smart grid, upgrading existing infrastructure, rebuilding significant portions of the grid and trimming trees. These are at the core of our plan as we work to increase reliability in Detroit.
Interested in seeing the work being done in your community? Visit our power improvements map