Overview
Balfour Substation is an operational electrical substation in Detroit, Michigan, owned and operated by DTE Energy. It operates at 24 kV and 4.8 kV, serving the local grid.
Balfour Substation is an operational electrical substation located in Detroit, Michigan, United States. Owned and operated by DTE Energy, the facility plays a key role in the regional power distribution network, stepping down transmission voltages for local use. The substation operates at voltage levels of 24,000 volts and 4,800 volts, typical for medium-voltage distribution substations serving urban and suburban areas. As part of DTE Energy's infrastructure, Balfour Substation is subject to North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC) reliability standards and Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) regulations for grid stability. The substation likely employs modern switchgear and protection systems to ensure safe and reliable power delivery. In the United States, substations of this scale are critical for maintaining grid resilience, especially in densely populated regions like southeastern Michigan. The substation supports the electrical needs of Detroit's residential, commercial, and industrial sectors. Its urban location underscores its importance in maintaining power quality and reliability for thousands of customers. DTE Energy's ongoing investments in grid modernization help reduce outage risks and improve response times, contributing to the overall stability of the regional electrical infrastructure.
Environmental context
Located in an urban area of Detroit, the substation's environmental context is shaped by its role in distributing electricity to a dense population center. The facility's voltage levels and equipment age influence its operational footprint, with modern substations typically incorporating oil containment and SF6 gas management to minimize environmental impact. Urban substations like this one are often designed to blend with surroundings and reduce noise, while their grid connectivity supports efficient power distribution and reduced transmission losses.
Frequently asked questions
Balfour Substation is located in Detroit, Michigan, United States, at coordinates 42.407752, -82.952401.
Balfour Substation is owned and operated by DTE Energy, a major utility company serving southeastern Michigan.
Balfour Substation operates at 24,000 volts (24 kV) and 4,800 volts (4.8 kV), typical for distribution substations.
As part of the US grid, Balfour Substation must comply with NERC reliability standards and FERC regulations for transmission and distribution assets.
Substations like Balfour step down high transmission voltages to lower distribution voltages for safe delivery to homes and businesses, and provide switching and protection functions.