Smart Energy Plan

July 07, 2026

Newly energized Dellwood substation benefits 4,500 customers

Modern equipment features automated restoration technology

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Ameren Missouri has energized an upgraded substation designed to support reliable service for customers in north St. Louis County.

The substation, located near the Dellwood Crossing shopping center, replaces equipment that was more than 60 years old. It includes modern upgrades that can automatically detect and respond to outages.

“This project is an investment in the people and businesses that call Dellwood home,” said Joe Fitzgerald, director of substation maintenance and construction for Ameren Missouri. “By replacing aging infrastructure with modern technology, we’re reducing the likelihood of equipment-related outages and supporting faster restoration when outages do occur.”

Substations play a critical role in the electric system by transforming voltage and routing power to the lines that serve neighborhoods. At Dellwood, new switchgear and automated controls can help grid operators identify issues more quickly and, when possible, reroute power to reduce the number of customers affected by an outage.

Some of the benefits of the Dellwood upgrade include:

• Reliable service: Replacing obsolete equipment helps reduce the risk of equipment-related interruptions for customers.
• Automated outage restoration: Smart technology can detect issues both at the substation and on overhead lines and reroute power more quickly.
• Improved safety: Automated controls reduce the need for manual intervention, helping lower safety risks for crews.
• Reduced maintenance costs: Newer equipment is expected to lower the likelihood of emergency repairs and age-related failures.

For Dellwood, the upgraded substation represents more than new equipment. It is a long-term investment in a reliable, local grid that can better support the community. It comes at a time when the city is embarking on a slate of new civic investments including a new event center, public safety building and athletic fields known as the Dellwood Renaissance.

“It makes sense to upgrade our energy system to make sure our residents and businesses can function and have room for growth,” said Dellwood mayor Reggie Jones. “There is a lot of development taking place here along West Florissant, and we’re going to be using more energy.”

The project also supports the broader goals of Ameren Missouri’s Smart Energy Plan, an ongoing effort to modernize the electric grid and improve reliability for customers across the state. Through the plan, Ameren Missouri has upgraded nearly 150 substations and added smart technology that helps isolate damage, reroute power and reduce outages.

To learn more about Smart Energy Plan upgrades across the state, visit Ameren.com/Reliability.