DTE Energy Transforms into a Smart Grid: Reducing Outages by 30% and Reaching the Future with Technology

DTE Energy is transforming its grid into a smart grid to become the grid of the future. As part of this plan, the company aims to reduce outages by 30% and cut outage duration in half by 2029. The transition has been made possible through significant investments in technology, such as a new operations center and advanced operating system.

Smart grid technology is at the heart of this transition, allowing for faster and more efficient power restoration during repairs. Devices like reclosers located on power poles help keep more customers’ power on during repairs, which can be completed within seconds to minutes. This technology also allows for remote identification of damage areas for field crews, speeding up repairs and reducing outage duration.

The new operations center, along with the advanced operating system and smart grid devices installed across southeast Michigan, are working together to improve reliability and reduce outages. DTE Energy crews have been installing smart grid devices in communities they serve, with plans to have 10,000 devices in service by 2029.

This work is part of DTE Energy’s efforts to build a smarter, stronger, and more resilient grid that will better serve customers in the future. Other initiatives include upgrading infrastructure, rebuilding portions of the grid, and tree trimming to prevent power lines from falling on homes or cars. To learn more about this work and track progress in your community, visit empoweringmichigan.com/reliability-improvements or see the power improvements map at dteenergy.com.