DTE Energy releases $7B investment plan for electric vehicles, infrastructure modernization

Southeast Michigan’s electric landscape could be headed for a major change, with DTE Energy’s announcement last week of a $7 billion planned investment over the next five years to remake old infrastructure, reinforce against inclement weather and prepare for electric vehicles.

These efforts to make a smarter, more reliable grid were officially filed with the Michigan Public Service Commission (MPSC) and complement an existing DTE plan to upgrade its grid across the next 10 to 15 years. Specifically, the $7 billion investment will manifest in increased automation, self-healing circuits, pole maintenance, tree trimming, and projects that modernize the grid’s oldest infrastructure.

“This visionary plan recognizes that our customers’ homes and businesses interact with the electric grid in ways we couldn’t imagine just 20 years ago, and the future of mobility is being revolutionized again in Michigan through electrification, all of which means the grid we share must be adapted to the 21st century,” Jerry Norcia, president and CEO of DTE Energy, said. “Much of our grid was designed and built more than a century ago, providing customers the energy required for a much simpler day-to-day life.”

DTE estimated these investments should minimize the even higher costs of outages while building a cleaner, more affordable, and reliable grid overall. Additional substations will be built to support these efforts and others upgraded. New technology will be integrated to further aid the adoption of private solar generation and storage capabilities as well.

While the MPSC considers this request, DTE announced it would also study the costs and benefits of non-wire alternatives for its infrastructure in upcoming pilot projects. This includes items like energy storage and would complement the planned burial of overhead power lines in residential areas of the state.