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.
DTE has made it a priority to continue upgrading our infrastructure. Our front-line crews have been inspecting our current infrastructure to determine where these upgrades need to happen next.
Recently in Detroit, on Ohio St. south of Plymouth Road in the Barton-McFarland neighborhood, crews were replacing poles and installing new transformers to service the surrounding neighborhood. The “banks” that housed the transformers were also being replaced. These banks are two or more single transformers that are connected. The transformers on the old poles were not in use, but installing new transformers will allow power to be rerouted from other circuits.
To replace poles, crews install the new poles directly next to the old, then transfer the pole top equipment and wires over before removing the old pole.
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.