DTE Energy has announced the construction of three new electric substations, as part of the company’s startegy to reduce power outage frequency by 30%, while reducing outage time by half by 2029.
The new substations, representing a total investment of more than $100 million, will be in Northville Township, Pontiac and Shelby Township.
“These new substations represent a major investment in our system that will improve reliability, while increasing capacity to support growth, economic development and a more electrified future, including electric vehicles,” said Matt Paul, president and chief operating officer, DTE Electric.
The substation construction is part of DTE’s broader grid investment strategy including transitioning to a smart grid, upgrading existing infrastructure, rebuilding significant portions of the grid and trimming trees.
Each new substation will be equipped with smart grid technology to reduce the number and duration of outages. The technology will help DTE monitor the grid from its System Operations Center in the company’s downtown Detroit headquarters.
The technology automatically adjusts power supply to meet demand or reroutes power. The projects will also include installing new poles, power lines and electric equipment to deliver power from substations to customers’ homes and businesses.
The new substations under construction are:
- Northville Township: $57 million investment to build a new substation from 2024 to 2026 to support the expanding technology corridor in Northville Township and Plymouth.
- Pontiac: $17 million investment to build a new substation from 2024 to 2026 to help improve reliability and increase capacity on the southwest side of Pontiac.
- Shelby Township: $39 million investment to build a new substation from 2024 to 2026 to support the growing industrial and commercial demand along 23 and 24 Mile Roads.
DTE is also rebuilding power delivery infrastructure across its service territory and has around 12 substations in various stages of being energized and commissioned. The work is under progress in Almont, Ann Arbor, Detroit, Lapeer, Port Hope, Port Huron, Van Buren Township and Vassar Township.
