In a quiet area of Novi, Michigan, there’s a facility that’s playing a big role in keeping the lights on across seven states. That’s the headquarters of ITC Holdings, a company that operates the high-voltage electric grid for Michigan, Iowa, Minnesota, Illinois, Missouri, Kansas, and Oklahoma.
When you flick the light switch on or turn the TV, the power comes to you through a web of ITC-controlled power lines. These lines are pulsing with anywhere from 34,500 to 345,000 volts of electricity, all carefully managed by a top-notch team of engineers.
Naturally, keeping the grid running smoothly requires robust security. For starters, getting into the ITC facility is not exactly a walk in the park. There are rigorous security checks at every point, and you need authorized fingerprint access to venture beyond the general offices.
Behind securely locked doors lies a conference room with a commanding view of an even more tightly guarded control room. Here, a group of 54 certified operators monitor the power flowing through the grid. The control room is not just resistant to physical threats; it’s also built to stand firm against natural disasters, such as tornadoes.
The stakes are high – Simon Whitelocke, President of ITC Michigan, highlighted the fact that there are individuals and groups out there looking to interrupt power supplies. The security measures in place at ITC aim to prevent that happening.
Those fortunate enough to gain access to the control room can see the intricacies of electric transmission on a massive, dazzling, 11.5-foot-tall screen. On it, operators can see the electricity highways across all seven states in real-time.
Every flicker of light on the screen tells a story – the state of different utility companies, the amount of electricity passing through the grid at any given moment, and the status of the breakers. The operators are constantly adjusting the electricity flow, making sure power is where it’s needed most or turned off if necessary.
So how does ITC fit into the journey of electricity from the power plants to your home? Essentially, ITC is in charge of the most crucial middle step – the transmission of electricity. Here’s how it works: Once power is generated at the source, it’s sent to a substation. There, it’s passed on to high-voltage transmission lines owned by ITC, which move the electricity along until it gets handed off to low-voltage power lines. From there, it’s taken all the way to your house.
Despite the critical nature of its operations, ITC was a barely known entity when it came into existence in 2003. Over the years, it’s grown to have more than 750 people managing transmission operations over 90,000 square miles of territory. It maintains 676 stations and substations and about 16,000 miles of transmission lines which can carry a peak load of 26,000 megawatts of electricity.
Looking forward to a greener and more sustainable future, the engineers at ITC’s Michigan Interconnection Group are researching more efficient ways of connecting renewable energy sources to the grid. Solar, wind, and other renewable sources are all part of their calculations, as they strive to power up a brighter, cleaner future.
Author: STAFF HERE NOVI WRITER
The NOVI STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERENovi.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Novi, Oakland County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Motor City Comic Con, Michigan State Fair, and Novi Home and Garden Show. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Novi Chamber of Commerce and Novi Community Foundation, plus leading businesses in automotive, technology, and manufacturing that power the local economy such as Gentherm, Stoneridge, and Daifuku North America. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREDetroitMI.com, HEREGrandRapids.com, HERENorthville.com, and HEREPlymouth.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Michigan's dynamic landscape.
