DTE Energy is laser focused on our commitment to lower outage frequencies by 30% and cut outage durations in half for customers by 2029, both in Washtenaw County and across the communities we serve.
Customers ask us, “how will you achieve these goals?”
We are well underway building the grid of the future by accelerating our transition to a smart grid, rebuilding significant portions of the grid, upgrading existing infrastructure and trimming trees.
As an example of the rebuilding work, DTE customers in areas of Superior Township and northeast Ann Arbor will see a major improvement in their electric reliability later this year. Since 2023, DTE crews have been working to rebuild the electrical equipment that delivers power to Superior Township and northeast Ann Arbor. This $40 million investment, includes:
- Installing smart grid devices, which can help reroute power to many customers during an outage.
- Constructing a new electric substation that will deliver more power to Superior Township and northeast Ann Arbor.
- Rebuilding 20 miles of overhead equipment with stronger, more modern equipment.
- Installing new, more durable utility poles.
- Trimming or removing trees growing close to power lines. Fallen trees and branches account for half the time our customers are without power — trimming helps prevent tree-related outages.
Project benefits
- A significant improvement in electric reliability, especially during extreme weather: this means customers can expect a 90% reduction in the time their power is interrupted.
- Improved safety: the new equipment will help automatically deenergize downed wires.
- Greater grid capacity: The added capacity will allow us to deliver reliable power to even more customers in the area. It will also help us support your community’s growing energy needs.
- These infrastructure improvements will help drive toward Ann Arbor’s aspirational A2Zero goals.
Progress
Crews are currently working to rebuild equipment along Plymouth Road in Superior Township. This includes installing all new poles, wires and transformers that are stronger and better able to withstand extreme weather than the old equipment. These new poles are as much as two-times stronger and are more resistant to high winds compared to the poles being replaced. The new pole-top equipment being installed, like crossarms and insulators, are also made from a more durable material than their older counterparts.
Upcoming work
Once this work is completed later this year, we will begin to switch customers over to the new power deliver system. At this time, customers will begin to see decreases in the number and length of power outages.
We will also construct a new substation and expand the infrastructure in Superior Township to support future growth. All this work is expected to be completed in 2028.
Learn more about work happening in your community at empoweringmichigan.com/reliability-improvements.