North Carolina's Hatteras Island experienced a power outage last week when construction activity damaged two underground transmission cables serving the island. While the damage is repaired, residents face mandatory power conservation rules and visitors have been evacuated.
Hatteras Island is a barrier island located in North Carolina's Outer Banks. While the island is relatively far offshore, it is connected to the northern Outer Banks islands by the Bonner Bridge. Hatteras Island's roughly 4,000 residents and tens of thousands more seasonal visitors are supplied electricity by Cape Hatteras Electric Cooperative, a member-owned, not-for-profit electric distribution cooperative.
According to the cooperative, on July 27 a contractor building a replacement for the Bonner Bridge "accidentally drove a steel casing through the cooperative’s transmission cables" at the south side of the bridge. The cooperative says it is taking steps toward both temporary and permanent solutions. For now, it is using a permanent diesel generator in the village of Buxton as well as temporary backup diesels to provide power to the island and is "working to expand the temporary generation service on Hatteras Island in order to accommodate a staged reentry of visitors." Meanwhile, the cooperative is working to splice the damaged underground cable and to build a new overhead transmission line, so permanent transmission service can be restored.
Calling the incident an "unprecedented complete loss of power delivery to Hatteras Island," Dare County issued a mandatory evacuation order for all visitors to Hatteras Island effective July 29, citing "life safety issues from the loss of reliable electrical power on Hatteras Island and growing uncertainty as to when repairs to the main transmission line will be completed to enable restoration of full power to the island." Estimates suggested over 10,000 visitors have been kept off Hatteras Island as a result of the evacuation order, with proper credentials required for reentry.
According to the county's website, a complete repair might take from one to two weeks.
The county notes that the on-island diesel generators "will only be able to run if load is at minimal levels and everyone is conserving." The county cites mandatory power and water conservation measures in effect, including a requirement to disconnect system circuit breakers for air conditioning systems and hot tub heaters.
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Showing posts with label underground. Show all posts
Showing posts with label underground. Show all posts
Northern Pass proposes new transmission plan
Monday, August 24, 2015
The developer of a proposed $1.4 billion electric transmission line connecting Quebec to New Hampshire has released a revised route for the project, following public opposition to earlier plans. The new vision for the Northern Pass project would bury more of the line underground and reduce the project's overall capacity to haul power. Will this version of the Northern Pass gain more traction?
First proposed in 2009, the Northern Pass would be a 192-mile high-voltage direct current (HVDC) transmission line. It would bring up to 1,000 megawatts of power from Canadian power plants into New England, running from the Canadian border to a proposed converter terminal in Franklin, New Hampshire. From there, a new alternating current (AC) transmission line would deliver the energy to New England’s electric grid at an existing substation in Deerfield, New Hampshire.
Since it was first proposed, the Northern Pass route has drawn criticism; the project was delayed, and despite revisions to the route public opposition remained. Throughout the process, many comments have focused on local siting impacts, like the effect of above-ground transmission lines and poles through Franconia Notch State Park, the White Mountain National Forest, and the Appalachian Trail. Eversource proposed running 8 miles of cable underground to reduce these impacts, but argued that undergrounding more would make the project too expensive.
But the forces motivating the Northern Pass project and other proposed HVDC lines from Canada remain strong: demand in New England and New York for electricity, and in particular for hydropower and other renewable electricity imported from Canada.
On August 18, project lead Eversource Energy announced changes to the route and scope of the project. While the previous vision included 8 miles of underground cable to avoid visual impacts, the so-called "Forward New Hampshire Plan" now includes 60 miles of underground cable. Eversource described its revised route as striking "a balance between New Hampshire and our region’s need for a reliable new energy source and avoiding potential impacts to the state’s scenic landscapes." At the same time, the revised proposal reduces the line's capacity from 1,200 megawatts to 1,000 megawatts, ostensibly to hold total costs at the previously estimated $1.4 billion. The plan now includes $200 million to establish the "Forward NH Fund", a pool of money designed to support clean energy innovations, economic development, community investment, and tourism.
The Northern Pass project now faces public hearings. Eversource is expected to file an application for site review with the New Hampshire Site Evaluation Committee in mid-October.
First proposed in 2009, the Northern Pass would be a 192-mile high-voltage direct current (HVDC) transmission line. It would bring up to 1,000 megawatts of power from Canadian power plants into New England, running from the Canadian border to a proposed converter terminal in Franklin, New Hampshire. From there, a new alternating current (AC) transmission line would deliver the energy to New England’s electric grid at an existing substation in Deerfield, New Hampshire.
Since it was first proposed, the Northern Pass route has drawn criticism; the project was delayed, and despite revisions to the route public opposition remained. Throughout the process, many comments have focused on local siting impacts, like the effect of above-ground transmission lines and poles through Franconia Notch State Park, the White Mountain National Forest, and the Appalachian Trail. Eversource proposed running 8 miles of cable underground to reduce these impacts, but argued that undergrounding more would make the project too expensive.
But the forces motivating the Northern Pass project and other proposed HVDC lines from Canada remain strong: demand in New England and New York for electricity, and in particular for hydropower and other renewable electricity imported from Canada.
On August 18, project lead Eversource Energy announced changes to the route and scope of the project. While the previous vision included 8 miles of underground cable to avoid visual impacts, the so-called "Forward New Hampshire Plan" now includes 60 miles of underground cable. Eversource described its revised route as striking "a balance between New Hampshire and our region’s need for a reliable new energy source and avoiding potential impacts to the state’s scenic landscapes." At the same time, the revised proposal reduces the line's capacity from 1,200 megawatts to 1,000 megawatts, ostensibly to hold total costs at the previously estimated $1.4 billion. The plan now includes $200 million to establish the "Forward NH Fund", a pool of money designed to support clean energy innovations, economic development, community investment, and tourism.
The Northern Pass project now faces public hearings. Eversource is expected to file an application for site review with the New Hampshire Site Evaluation Committee in mid-October.
Transmission line for Canadian imports advances
Tuesday, June 9, 2015
A proposed high-voltage direct current transmission line designed to import Canadian power into the New England grid has received a favorable environmental recommendation from the U.S. Department of Energy.
The New England Clean Power Link is a high-voltage, direct-current transmission project proposed by TDI New England, a subsidiary of private transmission developer Transmission Developers Inc. and ultimately part of the Blackstone Group.
Designed to feed the New England market with up to 1,000 megawatts of electricity, the proposed $1.2 billion New England Clean Power Link project would feature two parallel cables approximately 5” in diameter, operating at a voltage of approximately 300 to 320 kV. These HVDC lines would run about 154 miles. Originating at a DC converter station in Quebec, the U.S. portion of the line would start at the international border in Alburgh, Vermont. It would run beneath the bottom sediments of Lake Champlain for about 98 miles, then turn east and run over land (but underground, mostly under roadway rights-of-way and railway beds) to a terminal converter station in Ludlow, Vermont, where the power could flow onto the New England grid.
Federal law requires most infrastructure development for international trade in energy to apply for and receive a Presidential Permit before the project may be built. TDI New England applied for the presidential permit in May 2014, and applied to the state of Vermont for permits in December 2014.
As part of the Presidential Permit process, the federal National Environmental Policy Act or NEPA requires the U.S. Department of Energy to evaluate the potential environmental impacts in the United Statesof the proposed action and the range of reasonable alternatives. In this case, the proposed federal action is the issuance of a Presidential permit to the applicant, Champlain VT, LLC, doing business as TDI - New England, to construct, operate, maintain, and connect a new electric transmission line across the U.S.-Canada border in northern Vermont.
On June 3, the Department of Energy released its final draft Environmental Impact Statement or EIS for the New England Clean Power Link. In that document, the Department found relatively minimal and short-term adverse environmental impacts from project construction, operation and maintenance.
Once notice of the draft EIS is published in the Federal Register, the public will have 60 days to comment on its analysis. The Department will also hold public informational meetings in Vermont regarding the project. According to the EIS, TDI New England expects permitting will continue through mid-2016, with construction and in-service dates as early as 2018 and 2019 respectively.
Meanwhile, TDI is simultaneously pursuing other HVDC transmission lines from Canada into the Northeastern US, most notably the Champlain-Hudson Power Express -- another HVDC line beneath Lake Champlain but continuing on overland and under the Hudson River to a converter station in New York City. The Champlain-Hudson Power Express won a Presidential Permit in 2014.
The New England Clean Power Link is a high-voltage, direct-current transmission project proposed by TDI New England, a subsidiary of private transmission developer Transmission Developers Inc. and ultimately part of the Blackstone Group.
Designed to feed the New England market with up to 1,000 megawatts of electricity, the proposed $1.2 billion New England Clean Power Link project would feature two parallel cables approximately 5” in diameter, operating at a voltage of approximately 300 to 320 kV. These HVDC lines would run about 154 miles. Originating at a DC converter station in Quebec, the U.S. portion of the line would start at the international border in Alburgh, Vermont. It would run beneath the bottom sediments of Lake Champlain for about 98 miles, then turn east and run over land (but underground, mostly under roadway rights-of-way and railway beds) to a terminal converter station in Ludlow, Vermont, where the power could flow onto the New England grid.
Federal law requires most infrastructure development for international trade in energy to apply for and receive a Presidential Permit before the project may be built. TDI New England applied for the presidential permit in May 2014, and applied to the state of Vermont for permits in December 2014.
As part of the Presidential Permit process, the federal National Environmental Policy Act or NEPA requires the U.S. Department of Energy to evaluate the potential environmental impacts in the United Statesof the proposed action and the range of reasonable alternatives. In this case, the proposed federal action is the issuance of a Presidential permit to the applicant, Champlain VT, LLC, doing business as TDI - New England, to construct, operate, maintain, and connect a new electric transmission line across the U.S.-Canada border in northern Vermont.
On June 3, the Department of Energy released its final draft Environmental Impact Statement or EIS for the New England Clean Power Link. In that document, the Department found relatively minimal and short-term adverse environmental impacts from project construction, operation and maintenance.
Once notice of the draft EIS is published in the Federal Register, the public will have 60 days to comment on its analysis. The Department will also hold public informational meetings in Vermont regarding the project. According to the EIS, TDI New England expects permitting will continue through mid-2016, with construction and in-service dates as early as 2018 and 2019 respectively.
Meanwhile, TDI is simultaneously pursuing other HVDC transmission lines from Canada into the Northeastern US, most notably the Champlain-Hudson Power Express -- another HVDC line beneath Lake Champlain but continuing on overland and under the Hudson River to a converter station in New York City. The Champlain-Hudson Power Express won a Presidential Permit in 2014.
Champlain Hudson Power Express gets Army Corps permit
Monday, May 4, 2015
The Champlain Hudson Power Express, an electric transmission line proposed from Quebec to New York, has completed its federal permitting process according to project developer Transmission Developers Inc.
Project developer TDI is a Blackstone portfolio company, with an apparent focus on HVDC lines. First proposed in 2008, the current incarnation of the Champlain Hudson Power Express is a 333-mile high voltage direct current (HVDC) transmission line to be installed underground and underwater, from the U.S.-Canada border to New York City, running down Lake Champlain and parts of the Hudson River. The line is slated to be able to import up to 1,000 megawatts of power from Canada to the U.S.
In a press release issued last month, TDI announced that the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has issued a permit that allows the Champlain Hudson Power Express project to be placed in waters of the United States along its proposed route. The permit authorizes TDI to construct the project pursuant to Section 10 of the Rivers and Harbors Act and Section 404 of the Clean Water Act.
According to TDI, the Army Corps permit represents the final federal or state permit necessary to begin construction. According to the permit, the work authorized must be completed by December 30, 2019.
Project developer TDI is a Blackstone portfolio company, with an apparent focus on HVDC lines. First proposed in 2008, the current incarnation of the Champlain Hudson Power Express is a 333-mile high voltage direct current (HVDC) transmission line to be installed underground and underwater, from the U.S.-Canada border to New York City, running down Lake Champlain and parts of the Hudson River. The line is slated to be able to import up to 1,000 megawatts of power from Canada to the U.S.
In a press release issued last month, TDI announced that the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has issued a permit that allows the Champlain Hudson Power Express project to be placed in waters of the United States along its proposed route. The permit authorizes TDI to construct the project pursuant to Section 10 of the Rivers and Harbors Act and Section 404 of the Clean Water Act.
According to TDI, the Army Corps permit represents the final federal or state permit necessary to begin construction. According to the permit, the work authorized must be completed by December 30, 2019.
New England Clean Power Link proposed
Tuesday, November 19, 2013
A developer of electric transmission lines has proposed a new line that would connect New England to Quebec. The so-called New England Clean Power Link would run about 150 miles from the U.S.-Canadian border to Ludlow, Vermont. While the line shares some features with other proposed ties to the Canadian power grid -- including its development team -- the New England Clean Power Link differs from prior proposals in several regards.
Demand for electricity in the northeastern United States, and in particular for renewable power, has led to interest in developing several transmission lines to Canada. Provincial crown corporation Hydro-Quebec has many large hydroelectric dams, and continues to develop Quebec's rivers for power production. Meanwhile, Newfoundland utility Nalcor is developing gigawatt-scale hydropower on the Churchill River in Labrador, with aims to export the power to eastern Canada and the U.S.
This relative surplus of Canadian hydropower has led developers to propose transmission lines connecting Quebec resources to New England consumers. These lines include the Champlain-Hudson Power Express from Canada to New York City, and the Northern Pass from Canada into New Hampshire.
The $1.2 billion Clean Power Link would have a capacity of 1,000 megawatts, roughly equal to the size of a nuclear power plant. Like previous proposals, the newly-proposed line is motivated by the perceived opportunity to sell Canadian power in New England. The Clean Power Link also shares features in common with other proposals, in that it would be a high-voltage direct current or HVDC line. Notably, it would also be developed and financed by TDI New England, a Blackstone Group subsidiary led by the team behind the Champlain-Hudson Power Express.
Like that line, it would run about 100 miles under Vermont's Lake Champlain. South of the lake, the Clean Power Link proposal features lines buried underground. This contrasts with the Northern Pass, whose traditional wires-on-towers architecture has drawn significant opposition in New Hampshire.
The Clean Power Link faces a regulatory process including environmental and energy permitting, and is also dependent on the market forces that motivated its proposal. It is unclear whether any of the proposed transmission lines to Canada will actually be built, let alone which one. For now, TDI aims to build the line and place it in service by 2019.
Demand for electricity in the northeastern United States, and in particular for renewable power, has led to interest in developing several transmission lines to Canada. Provincial crown corporation Hydro-Quebec has many large hydroelectric dams, and continues to develop Quebec's rivers for power production. Meanwhile, Newfoundland utility Nalcor is developing gigawatt-scale hydropower on the Churchill River in Labrador, with aims to export the power to eastern Canada and the U.S.
This relative surplus of Canadian hydropower has led developers to propose transmission lines connecting Quebec resources to New England consumers. These lines include the Champlain-Hudson Power Express from Canada to New York City, and the Northern Pass from Canada into New Hampshire.
The $1.2 billion Clean Power Link would have a capacity of 1,000 megawatts, roughly equal to the size of a nuclear power plant. Like previous proposals, the newly-proposed line is motivated by the perceived opportunity to sell Canadian power in New England. The Clean Power Link also shares features in common with other proposals, in that it would be a high-voltage direct current or HVDC line. Notably, it would also be developed and financed by TDI New England, a Blackstone Group subsidiary led by the team behind the Champlain-Hudson Power Express.
Like that line, it would run about 100 miles under Vermont's Lake Champlain. South of the lake, the Clean Power Link proposal features lines buried underground. This contrasts with the Northern Pass, whose traditional wires-on-towers architecture has drawn significant opposition in New Hampshire.
The Clean Power Link faces a regulatory process including environmental and energy permitting, and is also dependent on the market forces that motivated its proposal. It is unclear whether any of the proposed transmission lines to Canada will actually be built, let alone which one. For now, TDI aims to build the line and place it in service by 2019.
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