(CBS-DETROIT) — DTE Energy is building three new electrical substations as part of its goal to reduce the frequency of power outages by 30% and halve downtime by 2029.
The utility is investing $100 million in new substations in Northville Township, Pontiac and Shelby Township.
“We’re not just building for today – we’re building the electric grid of the future to meet the changing needs of our customers and communities for decades to come,” said Matt Paul, president and chief operating officer of DTE Electric. “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.”
Each substation will feature smart grid technology that DTE says will reduce the number and duration of outages.
“This technology allows DTE to monitor the electric grid from the state-of-the-art System Operations Center at the company’s headquarters in downtown Detroit,” the company said. “The technology automatically adjusts the power supply to meet demand or diverts the power.”
The project also requires the installation of new poles, power lines and electrical equipment that delivers power from the substation to the customer.
“Construction of the substation is part of DTE’s broader network investment strategy, which includes transitioning to a smart grid, upgrading existing infrastructure, rebuilding significant portions of the electrical grid and pruning trees,” DTE said in a statement.
Construction of the Northville Township substation will last from 2024 to 2026 at a cost of $57 million. DTE says it will support a growing technology corridor in Northville Township and Plymouth.
The Pontiac substation will cost $17 million and be built between 2024 and 2026 to increase capacity in the southwestern part of the city. The Shelby Township project will cost $39 million and be built between 2024 and 2026. DTE says it will support industrial and commercial demand along 23 and 24 Mile roads.
DTE said it is also rebuilding energy delivery infrastructure in Almont, Ann Arbor, Detroit, Lapeer, Port Hope, Port Huron, Van Buren Township and Vassar Township.
