Building the Energy Grid of the Future
DTE Electrical System Operations Center (ESOC)
DTE Energy is building a cleaner, more reliable and affordable grid of the future
Our economy is riding a technology and electrification revolution unmatched since the early 1900s. Today, Michiganders are more connected to smartphones, smart homes, their workplaces, fully electric automobiles and other electronic devices. All these connections are supported by an electric grid originally built to sustain the industrial revolution of the last century.
That is why DTE Energy is accelerating the rebuilding of the energy grid. And while doing that, we’re also rebuilding the way we generate energy, closing coal plants and investing billions of dollars in solar and wind energy. All of this, to support a new, more reliable, interconnected, and cleaner supply of energy for the residential and business customers we serve.
Left to Right: Wind turbines and other renewable sources generate cleaner energy. Tree trimming helps improve power reliability. Energy efficiency programs help save customers money.
Top to Bottom: Wind turbines and other renewable sources generate cleaner energy. Tree trimming helps improve power reliability. Energy efficiency programs help save customers money.
Our plan does not call for a complete replacement of our electric system, rather a strategic evolution, a transformational upgrade that will yield three major benefits:
- An electric grid that is far more reliable and more resilient even during extreme weather, ensuring that we can keep the power on during record-breaking ice and wind storms that are becoming more frequent.
- A grid that operates on carbon-free fuels such as wind and solar, while also mixing in cleaner natural gas and nuclear power as DTE Electric accelerates carbon emission reductions – targeting 65% in 2028, 85% in 2032, net zero by 2050.
- A grid that is affordable because our investments are reasonably paced and cost-efficient. Our plan envisions keeping long-term rates under the rate of inflation.
DTE is rebuilding the grid to improve reliability.
A more reliable electric grid
Building the grid of the future starts with meeting the needs of today. Climate change makes severe storms more frequent and destructive, and Michigan must invest in a more resilient grid. Customers demand and deserve a reliable grid that can perform better during storms, and DTE has been putting in the work to deliver just that.
In the past five years, DTE has spent more than $5 billion on the electrical grid – trimming trees, strengthening infrastructure, rebuilding significant portions of the grid and replacing aging equipment. It’s working. Where this combined work is complete, circuits performed up to 50% better. And overall, customers experienced 21% fewer power interruptions and nearly a 40% decrease in outage duration time in 2022. We encourage you to read our Empowering Michigan blog on how DTE is further increasing reliability for our customers through our four-point Power Reliability Plan.
DTE is rebuilding the grid to improve reliability.
DTE’s Lapeer Solar Park generates cleaner energy for its customers.
Clean energy transformation
The smart grid of the future will be powered by cleaner energy, and like all big transformations, the shift to cleaner energy won’t happen overnight. However, progress has already begun. Last fall, we unveiled our CleanVision Integrated Resource Plan, or IRP, which is DTE’s 20-year proposal to dramatically transform how we generate clean electricity for our 2.3 million electric customers across southeast Michigan, all while investing in a modern grid that keeps energy reliable and affordable.
Our CleanVision IRP reduces the future cost of our clean energy transition for our customers by a projected $2.5 billion, develops enough Michigan-made renewable energy to power approximately 4 million households, while responsibly retiring our last two coal-fired power plants in a way that ensures DTE continues to generate reliable, affordable and clean energy. You can learn about the full plan by visiting dtecleanenergy.com.
DTE’s Lapeer Solar Park generates cleaner energy for its customers.
DTE offers affordable payment plans and assistance programs.
Maintaining affordability
These massive investments are necessary to provide customers with the clean and reliable energy they demand and deserve. But we also know that maintaining affordability for customers is paramount. That is why DTE works to keep any base rate increases at, or below, the rate of inflation. At the same time, we know some of our customers face financial hardship due to individual circumstances. For example, in our last fiscal year (ending September 2022), DTE helped connect our customers to nearly $200 million in financial aid, more than ever before.
The bottom line is that no customer should go without light or heat – there is help for virtually everyone struggling with their energy bills. Customers can learn more about affordable payment plans, energy efficiency programs and financial aid options by visiting dteenergy.com/help, calling (800) 477-4747 or contacting the United Way at 411.
DTE offers affordable payment plans and assistance programs.
“DTE has been powering southeast Michigan since Thomas Edison brought his lightbulb to the hometown of his friend, Henry Ford. Our company roots and our family roots are here. Our future is here – and we’re ready to put Michigan on the cutting edge of America’s energy transformation.”
— Jerry Norcia, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, DTE Energy