DTE on new substation serving downtown Ann Arbor: 'We're essentially trying to fill a 26-megawatt hole'
DTE Energy plans to build a new substation at the site of its Ann Arbor Service Center off of Broadway near Wall Street.
Ryan J. Stanton | AnnArbor.com
Commissioner Erica Briggs was the only to vote against the potentially $10 million project, arguing the city should pause and take a broader look at its community energy needs.
A new set of sustainability goals the commission separately approved Tuesday night calls for reducing Ann Arbor's energy consumption as a community. Briggs pointed out that approving a project to increase the city's energy capacity seems to run counter to that goal.
DTE plans to construct the new electrical substation at its service center facility at 984 Broadway St. to address increased demand for electric power in downtown Ann Arbor.
The substation's approval was postponed last month due to outstanding issues regarding floodplain impact and fire hydrant coverage, which Planning Manager Wendy Rampson said are resolved now. The city's planning staff recommended the project's approval.
DTE's Paul Ganz makes his case to the Ann Arbor Planning Commission Tuesday night.
Ryan J. Stanton | AnnArbor.com
From 2009 through 2011, he said, summer loading peaks were up about 12 percent for the Ann Arbor area — and up 17 percent within a one-mile radius of the area in question.
"Without this project, there's certainly the increased risk of brownouts and blackouts, and we've done a lot already behind the scenes," he said.
Witkowski said DTE is counting on ordering a $500,000 piece of equipment this month to ensure delivery by January or February.
He said the project will help serve new businesses and developments.
Briggs said she was concerned the Planning Commission hadn't done its due diligence to look at what a new substation means for long-term energy needs in Ann Arbor as a community.
While it's great that DTE is being proactive in making sure energy capacity is available to handle increased demand, she said, the city has its own agenda.
She said the amount of energy Ann Arbor is using as a community will be addressed through a new Climate Action Plan that's coming forward, as well as the city's sustainability framework.
Briggs pushed for postponement to have a more in-depth discussion about the city's long-term energy needs, but she didn't receive any support.
Rampson said the issues Briggs raised might be best addressed through the Climate Action Plan. At its August 2011 meeting, the Ann Arbor Energy Commission appointed a special task force to assist drafting an updated Climate Action Plan for Ann Arbor.
The issues around the electrical grid in the downtown area and the need to support added density has been discussed for about the last 10 years, Rampson said. She said DTE has been in discussions with the city's Energy Commission.
Briggs said the city is talking about significantly reducing the amount of energy the community is using, so it concerns her that the new substation hasn't been fully discussed in that context.
Erica Briggs called for a postponement of the substation's approval Tuesday night.
Ryan J. Stanton | AnnArbor.com
The substation would consist of two 15.5-foot tall electrical transformers and related electrical equipment on raised concrete pads and a new Power Delivery Center, a 630-square-foot, 12.5-foot-tall steel structure. The project also would include a new 6-foot-tall perimeter chain link fence with one foot of barb wire and a concrete block retaining wall.
Paul Ganz, regional relations manager for DTE, said the Argo substation across the street has grown to its maximum capacity.
"We had to carve out a whole new territory, which we're going to call the Buckler substation, and we're using existing Edison property to do so," he said.
"And we're essentially trying to fill a 26-megawatt hole, which has grown in the middle of that substation area," he said, adding that demands an entirely new substation.
He also cited new developments, including hotels, restaurants and parts of the University of Michigan medical center, as drivers of the new substation.
"All of that load has already been promised to people … so we're just responding to the need," he said, citing the new substation as an $8 million to $10 million investment.
Ganz and Witkowski originally announced plans for the new substation at a Downtown Development Authority meeting in April 2011. At the time, they made note of several high-rise developments going up downtown, some of which are nearing completion now.
Commissioners Bonnie Bona, Evan Pratt and Kirk Westphal were absent Tuesday.
Ryan J. Stanton covers government and politics for AnnArbor.com. Reach him at ryanstanton@annarbor.com or 734-623-2529. You also can follow him on Twitter or subscribe to AnnArbor.com's email newsletters.
Comments
David
Fri, Jun 29, 2012 : 2:03 p.m.
"barbed wire" It's important to distinguish between gross consumption and per capita consumption (which should be the focus of the climate action plan, if any). If the intensity of demand increases due to increased population density, it would be unwise not to meet that demand.
djm12652
Wed, Jun 6, 2012 : 7:17 p.m.
Commissioner Briggs, I often sit without my lights on in the evening to keep my apartment cooler and reduce consumption, perhaps all the new apartments to be constructed should have mandatory "blackout" periods to reduce future energy usage.
Left is Right
Fri, Jun 29, 2012 : 2:54 a.m.
Heck, maybe we should just build them without electricity.
Mark Hergott
Wed, Jun 6, 2012 : 6:20 p.m.
There are 45634 households in Ann Arbor, according to the latest census data. Some of them are in Apartments, but others are in detached single family dwellings. For that reason, let's assume that the average roof availability of an Ann Arbor household is a measly two square meters, or about the size of two dinner tables. That means there are potentially 91268 square meters of residential solar panels. Now, a three hundred watt peak solar panel is just about two square meters, so let us assume that we can put up 45634 solar panels about the city of Ann Arbor's residential roofs. Let's assume that Ann Arbor gets 4 hours of peak solar radiation a day. 45634(4)(300) is 54,760,800 watts of reliable electricity a day. That is 54 megawatts. We don't need a new substation, we need 30,000 solar roofs.
David
Fri, Jun 29, 2012 : 2:09 p.m.
Solar roofs, such as the one I have, require a lot of planning, considerations related to shading and angular direction, and related equipment which can only make sense through economies of scale. Better that the city should encourage solar co-ops wherein groups support large installations on separately leased or purchased land parcels or large roof areas that are free of obstructions. Might Costco be interested?
Jim
Wed, Jun 6, 2012 : 6:15 p.m.
So what's a Power Delivery Center (PDC)? A small natural gas generator? I'm no grid specialist, but the power has to come from somewhere.
Mark Hergott
Wed, Jun 6, 2012 : 6:05 p.m.
There are 45634 households in Ann Arbor, according to the latest census data. Some of them are in Apartments, but others are in detached single family dwellings. For that reason, let's assume that the average roof availability of an Ann Arbor household is a measly two square meters, or about the size of two dinner tables. That means there are potentially 91268 square meters of residential solar panels. Now, a three hundred watt peak solar panel is just about two square meters, so let us assume that we can put up 45634 solar panels about the city of Ann Arbor's residential roofs. Let's assume that Ann Arbor gets 4 hours of peak solar radiation a day. 45634(4)(300) is 54,760,800 watts of reliable electricity a day. That is 54 megawatts. We don't need a new substation, we need 30,000 solar roofs.
Mark74
Wed, Jun 6, 2012 : 8:10 p.m.
Solar panels cannot generate the reactive power that is needed to cycle an air conditioner.
Goober
Wed, Jun 6, 2012 : 6:49 p.m.
Does this mean Solyndra is back in business? Or, we will buy them made in China?
doglover
Wed, Jun 6, 2012 : 6:35 p.m.
And exactly how would that be paid for? Even if it were technically feasible, it would be very expensive.
goosenews
Wed, Jun 6, 2012 : 4:53 p.m.
Please do not re-elect Erica Briggs when the time comes around. She is exactly what is wrong with Ann Arbor.
grye
Wed, Jun 6, 2012 : 4:05 p.m.
Reducing energy consumption may have be an admirable plan but continued economic growth will always require more energy for sustainment. Briggs seems very short sighted.
xmo
Wed, Jun 6, 2012 : 1:40 p.m.
Who voted for Erica Briggs? Mind numb robots who always vote for the candidate with a (D) after their name? She has a political agenda without regard for the future well being of Ann Arbor!
djm12652
Wed, Jun 6, 2012 : 7:18 p.m.
@Brad 'splains a lot...
Brad
Wed, Jun 6, 2012 : 2:02 p.m.
Nobody voted for her - they're appointed by the mayor.
Brad
Wed, Jun 6, 2012 : 12:21 p.m.
Ways to reduce energy - don't build underground garages that need to be lighted 24 hrs/day. Also constantly-running fountains and superfluous blue blinky-lights should be examined. Don't build new and unnecessary high schools and then heat/cool them for years while they are partially populated. My favorite: "the city has its own agenda" And therein lies the problem ...
Mike
Wed, Jun 6, 2012 : 12:06 p.m.
It cracks me up that most of these environmentally concerned citizens live and work in air conditioned offices, use elctronic devices daily, have lights in their homes, and even some of them have houses like Al Gore. Do as I say, not as I do is the mantra. So they buy a Prius to make themselves feel better and say they don't want more power from coal or new substations. Do they really understand what they are asking? Until I see them living the life of the Amish I really don't want to hear their opinions. Lead by example, give up your creature comforts, and then tell us all how great it is.
djm12652
Wed, Jun 6, 2012 : 7:19 p.m.
Mike, you dare question those that are soooooo smarter than the rest of us? Know your place commoner! ;o)
smokeblwr
Wed, Jun 6, 2012 : 11:05 a.m.
A truly Green City would be looking at reducing it's carbon footprint. I am disappoint.
MRunner73
Wed, Jun 6, 2012 : 2:13 p.m.
Carbon is not the issue.
Stephen Lange Ranzini
Wed, Jun 6, 2012 : 10:50 a.m.
In exchange for this approval, perhaps the city can negotiate the future relocation of the existing ugly substation across the street (at Swift St. and the Broadway Bridge) into the facility being built? This would then allow the redevelopment of the brick DTE building that straddles the Huron River canal that isn't being used anymore. That building has a lot of charm and could be a really nice amenity if it had a new use. Really good maps to understand what this project entails are available on pages 7-11 of the following city report: http://a2gov.legistar.com/View.ashx?M=F&ID=1949364&GUID=72AE187B-AC71-4007-9B57-D31A10B43061
Mick52
Wed, Jun 6, 2012 : 10:42 a.m.
According to the Climate Action Plan website that committee has not met since last Sept. It does not appear the city is so concerned about energy consumption with all the development going on which will result in more energy use.
Alan Goldsmith
Wed, Jun 6, 2012 : 10:29 a.m.
"Commissioner Erica Briggs was the only to vote against the potentially $10 million project, arguing the city should pause and take a broader look at its community energy needs." Luddites. Lol.
Chip Reed
Wed, Jun 6, 2012 : 10:24 a.m.
Perhaps Commissioner Briggs might be interested in VHEM (Voluntary Human Extinction Movement). A gentle and graceful way to reduce power consumption...