Upgraded international transmission line boosts electricity reliability between Ontario, Michigan

A joint effort between Hydro One and ITC Michigan finished this week should boost the reliability of electricity flowing between Ontario and Michigan, thanks to upgrades to an international transmission line running from Windsor, Ontario to Detroit.

The upgrades include updated equipment and new optical ground wire. This will better protect the line from lightning strikes while boosting communication capabilities within the larger system. ITC owns and operates electricity transmission infrastructure in Michigan, while Hydro One is Ontario’s largest electricity transmission and distribution provider.

“Our highly-skilled crews safely completed upgrades to equipment that extends across the Detroit River, so that we can continue to energize life here in Ontario,” Andrew Spencer, vice president of transmission and stations for Hydro One, said. “By completing these upgrades and working together with ITC, we are maintaining the reliability of the interconnected transmission system between Ontario and Michigan.”

After receiving regulatory permits from their respective countries, crews from both companies worked together via a pulley system method to lay the new wire across the Detroit River. Transmission towers sit at either side of the river.

“The line work performed by Hydro One and ITC is another example of our ongoing commitment to the operational efficiency of the greater grid,” Simon Whitelocke, vice president of ITC Holdings Corp. and President of ITC Michigan, said. “These system improvements enhance the reliability and safety of the transmission infrastructure while ensuring its ability to meet new energy demands.”