Building the grid of the future 

To provide our customers with the reliable power they need and deserve, DTE is building a smarter, stronger, more resilient electric grid for a more electrified future. From fully automating our grid using smart devices, to strategically burying overhead wires, to strengthening our existing infrastructure, the work will reduce both the number and length of outages, while supporting the growth of our state and the communicates we serve.

Explore grid updates in your area with the Power Improvements Map

1. Transitioning to a smart grid:  Through 2029, we plan to fully automate our grid to help keep our customers’ power on, especially during extreme weather:  

• Reclosers: We are installing 10,000 smart grid devices, called reclosers, on power poles. Reclosers can help us quickly pinpoint areas where equipment damage caused an outage and restore power to a portion of customers. Reclosers allow us to keep the power on for more customers while our crews make repairs. 
• Smart meters: Smart meters have advanced technology that helps us identify outages and restore power to homes and businesses as quickly and safely as possible.  
• Smart grid sensors: Smart grid sensors allow us to quickly respond to power outages. They help us identify and fix potential issues with critical equipment before they cause a power outage. 

2. Upgrading existing infrastructure: We are replacing existing utility poles, power lines and electrical equipment to better withstand the increasing frequency of extreme weather events. 

• Pole and pole top maintenance and modernization: We working to reduce the number and length of outages by inspecting and replacing thousands of utility poles throughout our communities. We also are upgrading pole-top equipment like crossarms, insulators and more. The new pole-top equipment is made of stronger materials, resists deterioration from weather elements and can better withstand increasing storms and wind gusts. 
• Upgrading power lines: Power lines deliver power from substations to homes and businesses. Constant exposure to the elements can result in damage to electrical equipment and eventual failure of power lines. We are reconfiguring and installing new, stronger wires to make our system more resilient. These vital upgrades help improve electric reliability for our customers. 
  
• Substation upgrades: Substations are essential sets of equipment that deliver power to our communities. We are working to meet the needs of our customers now and far into the future by regularly inspecting and upgrading equipment at our substations to ensure our electric system is running safely and efficiently.    

3. Rebuilding significant portions of the grid: Modernizing substations and replacing our infrastructure with stronger equipment helps reduce the length and frequency of outages. It also increases capacity to support growth and clean energy solutions like electric vehicles. 

• New substation construction and expansion: We are building and modernizing substations across our service territory. These new or expanded substations will make the infrastructure more resilient to extreme weather, reduce/prevent power outages and support future energy demand.
• Rebuilding electrical equipment: We are creating the grid of the future that delivers more reliable power to our customers. During a rebuild, we replace our electrical equipment with new, stronger utility poles, wires, transformers and more. We also trim trees ahead of the rebuild and install smart grid devices on poles, like reclosers. These devices help us quickly pinpoint outages and restore power for many customers. Customers served by upgraded substations and equipment work will experience an expected 90% improvement in reliability. The work will also improve safety and the grid’s capacity to support our communities’ growing energy needs.
• Burying Overhead Lines: Moving powerlines underground makes the grid more resistant to extreme weather, improving reliability for our customers.

4. Trimming trees: Half the time customers spend without power is due to trees and branches falling into electric equipment during storms. To reduce and prevent outages, we are maintaining and trimming overgrown trees in your neighborhood’s utility right-of-way on a five-year cycle. Our tree professionals trim to an industry best-practice clearance to keep you safe and the energy grid reliable. Read more about our Tree Trimming process and practices.

Economic Benefits 

Our modernized grid and infrastructure investments drive economic growth throughout Michigan, which means more jobs and support for communities. Many of our system improvements are sourced through Michigan-based suppliers, helping create and support more than 8,500 jobs in our home state. For more about DTE’s commitment to Michigan, please view our Sustainability Report.