Transmission News

The New York Independent System Operator (NYISO) and ISO New England implemented a new interregional market system that will streamline electric energy transactions and improve the flow of power between the two markets. Introduced on December 15, Coordinated Transaction Scheduling (CTS) makes more efficient use of the transmission lines by enabling market participants to access the lowest-cost source of power between the two regions.

American Transmission Co. (ATC) contracted with HAZON Solutions to conduct a pilot program to evaluate using drones to inspect transmission lines on its system. The drone used by HAZON is approximately 25 pounds, 2.5 feet in diameter, has eight rotors and is equipped with a high-resolution camera. Drones are increasingly being used by utilities across the nation for inspection purposes. If the pilot program is successful, ATC will evaluate using drone technology in other parts of its service area.

Bonneville Power Administration (BPA) energized and brought into service a new 500-kV transmission line in southeastern Washington. The 38-mile, single-circuit line connects BPA's Central Ferry Substation near the Port of Central Ferry in Garfield County, Wash., to BPA's Lower Monumental Substation in Walla Walla County. The line increases the electrical capacity of BPA's transmission system in response to requests for transmission service in this area.

PPL Electric Utilities, a subsidiary of PPL Corporation began the application and approval process for the first segment of Project Compass - a new transmission line proposed by PPL Electric Utilities. The first segment is a 95-mile, $500-million to $600-million line between Blakely, Pa., and Ramapo, N.Y. The proposed 345-kV line links the PJM Interconnection and the New York Independent System Operator (NYISO).

ABB received a $100 million order from Hyundai Heavy Industries for electrical and telecommunication systems. The solution consists of power management, power-from-shore and telecom systems which are interconnected to ensure efficiency, reliability and safety. The facilities covered by the referred contract will be powered by a 132-kV AC subsea ring cable from Das Island, about 160 kilometers west of Abu Dhabi.

ABB won an order worth $450 million to link the power grids of the United Kingdom and Norway. The order was placed by Statnett, the state-owned network operator in Norway, and National Grid, an international electricity and gas utility from the UK. ABB will supply HVDC converter stations at both ends of the North Sea Network (NSN) Link between Norway and the UK. The NSN link will have the capacity to transmit 1,400 MW of power.

Dominion Virginia Power was recognized by the Southeastern Electric Exchange (SEE), a nonprofit organization of investor-owned electric utility companies, for successfully and innovatively rebuilding a critical 96-mile, 500-kV transmission line from Mount Storm, W.Va., to Doubs, Md. The SEE selected the project based on excellence in achievement, innovation, improvements, requirements and technical complexity.

Abengoa and Starwood Energy’s joint venture was selected by the California Independent System Operator (CAISO) as the approved sponsor to finance, construct, own, operate and maintain the Delaney to Colorado River 500-kV transmission line project. Abengoa and Starwood Energy will undertake joint development of the 114-mile transmission line, reinforcing the electrical interconnection between both California and Arizona. Abengoa will undertake construction, operation and maintenance of the transmission line.

Williams’ Transco filed an application with FERC for the New York Bay Expansion Project to deliver additional natural gas to New York City in time for the 2017/2018 heating season. The New York Bay Expansion is designed to deliver an additional 115,000 dekatherms a day of natural gas into National Grid's distribution system through the Rockaway Delivery Lateral and the Narrows meter station.

The New York Power Authority and mPrest, an Israeli software development firm, were awarded a $900,000 grant from the Israel-U.S. Binational Industrial Research and Development Foundation to develop a system that can rapidly detect malfunctioning power transformers before they cause larger problems on the electric grid. NYPA and mPrest will develop software for deployment on the NYPA transmission system, and plan to engage the Electric Power Research Institute for research assistance.