Transmission News

AEP Taps Siemens to Modernize HVDC System Welsh in Texas

American Electric Power (AEP) chose Siemens to modernize its HVDC back-to-back link at its 600-MW Welsh HVDC station in Titus County, Texas. Siemens will upgrade its 20-year-old system by installing new control and protection technologies, replacing the cooling, heating and ventilation, and incorporating new harmonic filters and shunt reactors. This will be the first Siemens mid-life control and protection HVDC modernization in the United States.

Alstom to Supply Four Substations for Chile’s First Electric Interconnection Highway

Alstom was selected by Transmisión Eléctrica del Norte (TEN), a subsidiary of E-CL an electric company based in Chile and part of the Engie Group, to supply four turnkey substations for Chile's first interconnection system, the Mejillones - Cardones Transmission line. The contract, worth approximately $278 million, includes the installation of three new 500-kV substations in Chacayita, Los Changos and Cumbres, as well as the expansion of the Nueva Cardones substation.

ITC Files Permit Application with Canada's National Energy Board for the Lake Erie Connector Project

ITC Lake Erie Connector, a wholly owned subsidiary of ITC Holdings Corp., filed a major permit application with Canada's National Energy Board (NEB) for the ITC Lake Erie Connector transmission line. The ITC Lake Erie Connector is a proposed 1000 MW, bi-directional, HVDC merchant transmission line that will provide the first direct link between the markets of the Ontario Independent Electricity System Operator (IESO) and PJM Interconnection (PJM).

APS Completes One of the Largest Transmission Construction Projects in the West

Arizona Public Service completed work on one of the largest transmission construction projects in the west - a 500-kV power line that connects Phoenix to Yuma. The 110-mile transmission line runs from the Hassayampa substation (near the Palo Verde Nuclear Generating Station) to the North Gila substation in Yuma. Called HANG2, the $200 million project is the second route connecting the Valley to Yuma. Construction planning for the HANG2 line began more than a decade ago, as Southwest Arizona's population began to rapidly expand.

ITC Energizes Thumb Loop Transmission Line

ITCTransmission completed the Thumb Loop high-voltage transmission project with the energization of the third and final phase of the project. ITC invested $510 million to build the 345 kV line, which serves as the backbone of a system designed to meet the identified maximum wind energy potential of Michigan's Thumb region. It also will contribute to regional system reliability and facilitate wholesale market competition.

Williams Seeks FERC Approval for Atlantic Sunrise Pipeline Expansion

Transco, a wholly owned subsidiary of Williams Partners, filed an application with FERC seeking authorization for its Atlantic Sunrise expansion project, which would transport about 1.7 billion cubic feet of natural gas per day to markets in the Mid-Atlantic and Southeastern United States. Williams expects to place Atlantic Sunrise into service in the second half of 2017 as part of $4.8 billion in transmission projects planned to come online through 2017.

PG&E Wins Right to Develop Two New Transmission Substations

Pacific Gas and Electric (PG&E) was selected by the California Independent System Operator (CAISO) to build, own and operate two new electric substations in California's Central Valley and South Bay. The new high voltage substation at Wheeler Ridge Junction will help improve electric service reliability in Bakersfield, especially in the hot summer months when demand for power is higher. The substation projects will need to undergo an approval process through the California Public Utilities Commission.

FirstEnergy to Invest $353M in 2015 Infrastructure Upgrades

FirstEnergy expects to invest about $225 million in 2015 on distribution and transmission infrastructure projects in Mon Power's 34-county service area, primarily in north-central West Virginia. Major projects scheduled for 2015 include transmission enhancements to reinforce the system and support economic growth, constructing new distribution lines, and inspecting and replacing utility poles and other equipment.

ABB wins $35 million order to strengthen power grid and boost wind energy in Belgium

ABB won an order worth around $35 million from Belgian electricity transmission system operator Elia for gas-insulated switchgear (GIS) and shunt reactors, helping stabilize and expand the country's power grid to accommodate more wind energy. The shunt reactors increase the energy efficiency of power transmission by improving power quality and reducing transmission costs. The order was booked in the fourth quarter of 2014.