DTE ready for peak demand during heat wave
DETROIT (FOX 2) - You might be tempted to shed your shirt working in this heat or opt for shorts to deliver the mail. And inside, that air conditioning could be running non-stop - but is the grid prepared for the extra demand?
"These heat levels - we haven't really seen back to back in a long time," said Ryan Stowe, DTE Energy.
Stowe is vice president of distribution operations for DTE. He says the utility - which supplies energy to 2.2 million customers - is expecting peak demand levels for this Friday and Saturday about 50 percent more than usual.
"We're preparing crews and having them ready on standby so we're basically all hands on deck right now," he said.
Stowe says thanks to smart grid infrastructure - system upgrades and regular maintenance - they are ready.
"The system is set up and we feel good we're going to be able to handle the demand and the load that's going to be out there," he said.
But Stowe also says customers should aim for energy efficiency - and conservation. Keep the blinds and curtains closed, use the ceiling fan and delay cooking until it cools down.
There could be other possible issues to consider - as the rain starts to fall, DTE tells us they are concerned about possible storm and possible outages related to that.
"We're going to see some outages from it no doubt," Stowe said. "And that's why we want to be prepared with crews and people standing by."
Stowe emphasizing - it's not the heat - it's the increased demand on the system. Many remembering back in January when a fire at a Consumers Energy facility forced the utility to ask customers to turn down the heat during the coldest days of the polar vortex.
Stowe says DTE is prepared in case anything unexpected happens.
"We know that there could be a weak spot here or there so if should something happen and we do have power problems we're ready to respond," Stowe.
He says they are ready and closely monitoring substations and distribution circuits - while customer crank up the air conditioning.
"Safety is our number one priority so we want to make sure people are looking out for each other," Stowe said. "taking care of themselves - if there's a problem we'll get out there and take care of it."
Anyone experiencing a power outage is asked to use the app to report it or call to 1-800-477-4747.
| MORE: For a list of cooling centers in Metro Detroit, look below.
DETROIT
The city of Detroit has several cooling centers open Monday-Friday including libraries and family centers.
Adams / Butzel Center
10500 Lyndon Detroit, MI
Monday - Friday 8 a.m. - 8 p.m.
Saturday Closed
Sunday Closed
Butzel Family Center
7737 Kercheval, Detroit, MI 48214
Monday - Friday, 11:00 am - 8:00 pm
Saturday & Sunday Closed
Clemente Center
2631 Bagley
Monday - Friday 1 p.m. - 9 p.m.
Saturday Closed
Crowell Recreation Center
16630 Lahser Road Detroit, MI 48219
Monday - Friday 1 p.m. - 9 p.m.
Saturday Closed
Coleman A. Young Community Center
2751 Robert Bradby Dr. , Detroit, MI 48207
Monday - Friday, 8:00 am - 8:00 pm
Saturday Closed
Sunday Closed
Farwell Recreation Center
2711 E. Outer Drive
Monday - Friday 11 a.m. - 7:30 p.m.
Saturday Closed
Heilmann Center
19601 Crusade St, Detroit, MI
Monday - Friday 6 a.m. - 9 p.m.
Saturday 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.
Lasky Center
13200 Fenelon St, Detroit, MI
Monday - Friday 1 p.m. - 9 p.m.
Saturday Closed
Northwest Activities Center
18100 Meyers Rd, Detroit, MI
Monday - Friday 6 a.m. 10 p.m.
Saturday - Sunday 7 a.m. - 10 p.m.
Oak Street Health Centers
Cherry Hill, Hazel Park, Jefferson Village, Rosedale Park and Southgate
Patton Recreation Center
2301 Woodmere St, Detroit, MI
Monday - Friday 6 a.m. - 9 p.m.
Saturday 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.
Williams Center
8431 Rosa Parks Blvd, Detroit, MI
Monday - Friday 6 a.m. - 9 p.m.
Saturday 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.
Libraries
Campbell Branch
8733 W. Vernor / Springwell Detroit, MI 48216
313-481-1550
Tuesday, Thursday & Saturday 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.
Monday & Wednesday Noon - 8 p.m.
Chandler Park Branch
12800 Harper/Dickerson, Detroit, MI 48213
(313) 481-1560
Wednesday & Saturday: 10:00 am - 6:00 pm
Thursday : Noon - 8 p.m.
Chaney Branch
16101 Grand River / Greenfield Detroit, MI 48227
313-481-1570
Monday, Wednesday & Saturday 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.
Tuesday & Thursday Noon - 8 p.m.
Chase Branch
17731 W. Seven Mile Rd. / Southfield Detroit, MI 48235
313-481-1580
Monday, Wednesday & Saturday 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.
Tuesday & Thursday Noon - 8 p.m.
Conely Branch
4600 Martin/Michigan Detroit, MI 48210
313-481-1590
Monday, Wednesday & Saturday 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.
Tuesday & Thursday Noon - 8 p.m
Douglass Branch for Specialized Services
3666 Grand River / Trumbull Detroit, MI 48208
313-481-1707
Monday - Friday 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.
Edison Branch
18400 Joy Rd / Southfield Fwy Detroit, MI 48228
313-481-1720
Tuesday, Thursday & Saturday 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.
Monday & Wednesday Noon - 8 p.m.
Elmwood Park Branch
550 Chene / Lafayette Detroit, MI 48207
313-481-1730
Monday, Wednesday & Saturday 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.
Tuesday & Thursday Noon - 8 p.m.
Knapp Branch
13330 Conant / E. Davison Detroit, MI 48212
313-481-1770
Tuesday, Thursday & Saturday 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.
Monday & Wednesday Noon - 8 p.m.
Sherwood Forest Branch
7117 W. 7 Mile Rd./Livernois Detroit, MI 48221
313-481-1840
Monday, Wednesday & Saturday 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.
Tuesday & Thursday Noon - 8 p.m.
Wilder Branch
7140 E. 7 Mile Rd / Van Dyke Detroit, MI 48234
313-481-1870
Wednesday Noon - 8 p.m.
Thursday & Saturday 10 p.m. - 6 p.m.
Sunday (Oct -May) 1 p.m. - 5 p.m.
LIVONIA
The City of Livonia hosts an emergency shelter and cooling center for residents.
The Jack Kirksey Livonia Community Recreation Center is prepared to provide a temporary place to stay for Livonia residents who confirm they live in the City.
There is also WiFi access and televisions available, along with plugs for cell phone chargers.
Residents may use limited portions of the facility as cooling center from 5 a.m. to 10 p.m. Weekend hours during summer are 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday; and 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday. Those who need overnight accommodations must stop in or call at least two hours before closing time in order to arrange for staffing.
The Recreation Center can be reached at (734) 466-2900 during weekday business hours.
FARMINGTON HILLS
Costick Center Available as a Cooling Center
28600 Eleven Mile Road
Opens as a cooling center starting through Wednesday, July 24 from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. on weekdays and from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday.
Other good places to escape the heat include shopping malls, museums, movie theatres, and libraries.
GARDEN CITY
Maplewood Community Center
31735 Maplewood
Thursday, July 18 9 a.m. - 9 p.m.
LATHRUP VILLAGE
Lathrup Village City Hall, lobby area
27400 Southfield Road
Thursday, July 18, 8 a.m. - 7 p.m.
Friday, July 19, 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
SALVATION ARMY LOCATIONS:
Dearborn Heights - 26700 W. Warren Ave. (313) 563-4457
Detroit -
Conner Creek - 3000 Conner St. (313) 822-2800
Grandale - 11311-25 Montrose Ave. (313) 835-3736
Harbor Light - 3737 Lawton St. (313) 361-6136
Temple - 3729 W. Chicago Rd. (313) 897-2914
Farmington Hills - 27500 Shiawassee (248) 477-1153
Mt. Clemens - 55 Church St. (586) 469-6712
Plymouth - 9451 S. Main St. (734) 453-5464
Pontiac - 469 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. S. (248) 334-2407
Royal Oak - 3015 N. Main St. (248) 585-5600
Warren - 24140 Mound Rd. (586) 754-7400
Wayne/Westland - 2300 Venoy Rd. in Westland (734) 722-3660
Wyandotte - 1258 Biddle Ave. (734) 282-0930
SOUTHFIELD
Southfield Pavilion July 18-20
9 a.m. - 9 p.m.
WAYNE
Wayne Police Department lobby and Hype will be open as cooling centers. Hype will be open until 11:00pm.
WESTLAND
Westland Police Station Lobby, 36701 Ford Road, open 24 hours
Westland Fire Station 1, 35701 Central City Parkway, open 24 hours
Fire Station #3, located at 28801 Annapolis
Thursday - Saturday, 9 a.m. - 8 p.m.
City Hall - 36300 Warren Road
Monday - Friday, 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Jefferson Barns Community Vitality Center - 32150 Dorsey
Monday, 9 a.m. - 6 p.m.
Tuesday, 9 a.m. - 7 p.m.
Wednesday - Friday, 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Saturday, 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.
William P. Faust Public Library - 6123 Central City Parkway
Monday - Thursday, 9 a.m. - 9 p.m.
Friday - Saturday, 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Westland Friendship Center - 1119 N. Newburgh
Monday & Wednesday, 9 a.m. - 9 p.m.
Tuesday & Thursday, 9 a.m. - 7 p.m.
Friday, 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Saturday, 9 a.m. - Noon
WOODHAVEN
City of Woodhaven residents as always you are welcome to cool down at the Recreation Department, City Hall and at either of our two Fire Stations if you find yourself without air conditioning and struggling in this heat. Our Fire Stations are open 24 hours a day.