An Introduction To Electric Power Transmission Presentation
An Introduction To Electric Power Transmission Presentation
An Introduction To Electric Power Transmission Presentation
Glossary
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Basic Definition/Terminology
Alternating Current (AC) Electric current in which the
direction of the current's flow is reversed or alternated at
60Hz in the U.S.
Audible Noise (AN) A measure in units of decibels on a
logarithmic scale. Because human hearing is not equally
sensitive to all frequencies of sound, certain frequencies are
given more weight. Noise levels capable of being heard by
humans are measured in A-weighted decibels (dBA).
Conductors (Power Lines) Metal cables used for carrying
electric current.
Corona Electrical breakdown of the air near high voltage
conductors into charged particles.
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Basic Definition/Terminology
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Basic Definition/Terminology
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Basic Definition/Terminology
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Basic Definition/Terminology
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Basic Definition/Terminology
Transmission Line A line that carries electricity at
voltages of 69kV or greater and is used to transmit
electric power over relatively long distances, usually
from a central generating station to main substations.
Transmission Structures Used to keep high-voltage
conductors (power lines) separated from their
surroundings and from each other.
Voltage Electric pressure measured in volts. Power
systems are typically measured in 1,000s volts or kV.
Watt Unit of electrical power. 1MW is one million
watts.
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kV
115
138
161
230
345
500
Source: FEMA
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3 Regional Interconnections
8 Regional Entities
8 Independent System Operators (ISO)
4 Regional Transmission Organizations (RTO)
FERC, NERC
Regional Entities
Utilities
Regional Transmission Organizations (RTOs)
Independent System Organization (ISOs)
Source: NERC.com
Source: NERC.com
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Western Interconnect
Bulk movement of
electricity is
accomplished within
three electrically separate
zones:
The Western Interconnect
The Eastern Interconnect
The Texas Interconnect
Western Interconnect
Columbia Grid
Northern Tier
West Connect
Cal-ISO
http://www.westgov.org/wieb/meetings/crep1099/wiiso.htm
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Operational Constraints
As one large machine, the Western
Interconnect must be balanced
moment to moment (frequency
based).
In other words, energy that is
generated must be consumed
immediately as there is minimal
storage in the system.
Under or over supply leads to
disruptions (blackouts) and those
are reliability issues.
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Rural Cooperatives and Public Power Entities A customerowned electric utility created to transmit and distribute
power in rural areas.
Rates are typically set by a board of directors elected from among the
cooperative's members.
Although rates are not regulated by public utility commissions, their
facilities are subject to the same state sighting requirements as
investor-owned utilities.
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Transmission Ownership/Funding
Public Power Authorities Typically owned by a city or municipality.
Not-for-profit utility
The utilities are directly accountable to the people they serve through locally
elected or appointed officials.
Example: Los Angeles, San Antonio, Seattle, and Orlando operate publicly owned electric
utilities
Must take on the financial responsibility and risk associated with building a new
transmission line (unlike utilities)
Costs are recouped through access charges paid by generators and/or load serving
utilities
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FERC 1000
Public Policy
Least Cost
Economic
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Shield wire
Insulators
Conductors
Structure
Foundation
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Transmission Line
Distribution Line
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H-frame
Structure
Monopole
structure
Lattice
Structure
Turning
Structure
Underground
Structure
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Monopole
H-Frame
Steel Lattice
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Conductor alternatives
Typically aluminum or copper conductors are used.
Aluminum is preferred over copper for its lower cost
and lighter weight, however, this comes at the price of
some energy loss that doesn't occur with copper.
Aluminum Conductor Steel Reinforced (ACSR) includes
steel strands wrapped around
aluminum conductors to add
strength. This is the most commonly
used conductor.
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Source: http://www.niehs.nih.gov/health/topics/agents/emf/
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Typical Sources
100-105
Leaf blower
100-104
Circular Saw
84-89
Vacuum Cleaner
76-83
Garbage disposal
68-73
55-65
Normal conversation
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Background music
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Living room
28-33
Quiet room
Source:
http://www.nonoise.org/index.htm
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Electrical Characteristics
Radio and Television Interference (RI/TVI) Corona
discharge can generate radio noise and to a lesser extent
television disturbance around high-voltage transmission
lines.
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Peripheral Zone
Peripheral Zone
Wire Zone This zone is the area directly underneath the conductors and extends from the
outermost conductors a few feet that will depend on the voltage of the transmission line.
Border Zone This zone extends from the edge of the Wire Zone to the outside edge of the
ROW. Vegetation in this zone may contain low-growing woody plants and trees.
Peripheral Zone - Zone adjacent to Border Zone.
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Slopes
Soil types
Blasting requirements
Visual impacts
Sensitive habitats
Significant structures or locations
Existing disturbed areas
Tower placement
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OVERHEAD
UNDERGROUND
Environmental concerns
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Land Surveying
Cultural
Biological
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Underground construction
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Peak loads
Normal and abnormal conditions
Cost effective/economical
Provide uninterrupted service
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Regional/Interconnection Level
8 Regional Entities
8 Independent System Operators (ISO)
4 Regional Transmission Organizations (RTO)
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System planning
Project planning
Routing
Public outreach
Licensing and environmental
Conceptual engineering
Detailed design
Material procurement
Construction contracts
Construction management
Construction completion
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Federal Regulations
Federal entities that may have authority over
transmission line siting, market structure, NEPA, etc.
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Federal Regulations
Federal entities that may have authority over
transmission line issues, cont....
Department of Commerce
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ)
Advisory Council on Historic Preservation
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State Regulations
State agencies that may have authority over
transmission issues
State Regulations
Rules and regulations overseeing the siting and
permitting of transmission lines vary state to
state.
Some states have specific siting authority for
transmission infrastructure.
Some states do not have centralized siting
authority and transmission line siting authority
falls to local municipalities (counties, cities,
towns, etc.).
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State Regulations
Land use, contracts, eminent domain, and
public utility status are usually regulated by
state law.
Most state siting authorities include
environmental and social impact analysis.
Municipal utilities and cooperatives are not
regulated by the state.
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Local Regulations
Permits that may be required at the local level:
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Aesthetic/Visual Resources
Cultural/Archaeological Resources
Endangered/Threatened and Protected Species
Geologic/Seismic
Invasive Species
Water Resources including lakes, streams, floodplains
Wetlands
Wooded and Forested Areas
Others
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Aesthetics/Visual
Impacts on Aesthetic/Visual Resources
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Aesthetics/Visual
Mitigation of Aesthetic/Visual
Impacts
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Cultural/Archeological Resources
Impact on Cultural/Archeological Resources
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Cultural/Archeological Resources
Mitigation of
Cultural/Archeological Impacts
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Geologic/Seismic
Impacts on local geologic features
Implementation of access roads may create stability
issues
Aggregate sources must be identified
Faults and landslide risk areas should be identified
Foundation design
implications
Construction blasting in
shallow bedrock could have
impacts on unstable landforms
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Geologic/Seismic
Mitigation for local geologic
features
Identify access road alignments
Map and quantify aggregate sources
Avoid faults and landslide risk areas
Alignments and tower locations are
placed away from faults and
unstable soils
Design foundations to match soil and
rock characteristics
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Invasive Species
Impacts by Invasive Species
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Invasive Species
Mitigation of Invasive Species
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Water Resources
Impacts on Water Resources
Impacted by work within waterways
Removal of vegetation along banks can cause river
temperatures to rise and increase erosion and
sedimentation deposits
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Water Resources
Mitigation of Impacts to Water Resources
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Wetlands
Impacts on Wetlands
Loss of wetlands
Spread of invasive
species
Fragmentation of
wetland types
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Wetlands
Mitigation of Impacts to Wetlands
Reroute the line away from wetlands
Adjust pole location to span the wetland overhead
Bore the line under the wetland
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