DETROIT, Dec. 22, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- As another blast of
frigid weather approaches Michigan, DTE Energy customers have peace of
mind that the state's largest energy company continues to improve
the safety and reliability of its natural gas delivery system,
ensuring ample heat for homes and businesses this winter.
Over the last five years, DTE, Michigan's largest energy company, has
upgraded more than 2,100 miles of gas lines - enough to stretch
from Detroit to Sault Ste. Marie six times - and installed
thousands of advanced meters through its Gas Renewal Program. This
planned, deliberate work allows the company to improve
infrastructure at a time when natural gas prices continue to fall,
keeping overall energy costs affordable for customers. That's good
news, heading into the cold winter months when temperatures drop
and natural gas usage rises.
Mark Stiers, president and COO,
DTE Gas, compares the work to the
efforts of owning a vehicle.
"When you buy a car or truck, you maintain it to get the most of
your investment. The same is true of our natural gas infrastructure
that's served our customers very well," Stiers explained. "We
diligently monitor and maintain our delivery system and make
repairs when necessary. At some point, however, we need to replace
sections of our system to ensure the reliable and cost effective
delivery of energy to homes and businesses every
day."
In 2017, DTE's gas utility increased the pace of equipment
upgrades statewide by installing:
- 165 miles of new main line
- Nearly 330 miles of service lines and
- 20,000 advanced meters.
Through other system improvement programs this year, the company
upgraded
- 72,000 meters for customers in Grand
Rapids, and
- Installed more than a mile of new main in Petoskey to accommodate the energy needs of a
growing population in southern Emmet
County.
Because of this work, today more than 1,100 potential customers
now have access to natural gas from main pipeline extensions in
areas near Big Rapids,
Traverse City, Petoskey and Grand
Rapids.
"These infrastructure investments not only keep natural gas
delivery reliable, they are also beneficial to local economies,"
said Stiers. "Overall, the effort employs more than 300 people -
either directly by DTE or though Michigan-based companies - and invests
$60 million in contactors, engineers
and restoration teams."
While DTE employees have conducted this work, they earned the
American Gas Association's Safety Achievement Award for excellence
in employee safety the past two years.
State of the art systems constantly monitor
DTE Gas Infrastructure
Maintaining reliability and
customer safety
From a modern control room, DTE gas controllers analyze a
constant flow of data 24/7/365 from more than 4,500 points along
the system. Changes in pressure and other information are
transmitted from pipeline sensors to computers and telemetry
equipment in the control room that display the information to the
controllers.
Should the need arise, within minutes, controllers can close any
of the more than 140 remote-control valves to shut the flow of gas
at key locations in the pipeline system.
DTE also performs routine inspections inside major pipeline
sections, using a self-contained electronic device. This device
emits a strong magnetic field to detect anomalies inside the pipe
and is pushed through the gas system while recording detailed data
about the condition of the line. Above the system, aerial surveys
are conducted twice a month of the company's 2,200 miles of
transmission lines.
About DTE Energy
DTE Energy (NYSE:DTE) is a
Detroit-based diversified energy
company involved in the development and management of
energy-related businesses and services nationwide. Its operating
units include an electric utility serving 2.2 million customers in
Southeastern Michigan and a
natural gas utility serving 1.3 million customers in Michigan. The DTE Energy portfolio includes
non-utility energy businesses focused on power and industrial
projects, natural gas pipelines, gathering and storage, and energy
marketing and trading. As one of Michigan's leading corporate citizens, DTE
Energy is a force for growth and prosperity in the 450 Michigan
communities it serves in a variety of ways, including philanthropy,
volunteerism and economic progress. Information about DTE Energy is
available at dteenergy.com, twitter.com/dte_energy and
facebook.com/dteenergy.
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SOURCE DTE Energy