When you think of the Energizer Bunny, you most likely think of a pink bunny rabbit powered by an Energizer battery with unstoppable energy. (It keeps going and going and going...)
Side note: if you're outside the US and Canada, replace the Energizer Bunny with the Duracell Bunny.
It's this unstoppable energy that powered the Energizer Battery campaign, and we need such unstoppable energy to power our mills, power our cities, and power our lives.
Our electric-intensive society relies on the consistent delivery of power. And as demand is growing, the need for updating the burdened electrical network we have in the US is beginning to be met.
By using bulk power transmission lines at 345kV, 500kV, and 765kV to maximize both efficiency and functionality, forward-looking power companies are ensuring we can meet these energy needs in both a responsible and cost-effective manner. Yes, this does include cost-effectiveness, too. (Finally!)
Existing Transmission Line Projects in the US
Power lines as high as 765kV is nothing new, and have been around for decades. First they were just at power stations such as Niagara Falls or the Aswan High Dam. Now they're being used for regular transmission lines.
It takes a long time for projects of this size and cost to come to completion. If you like, have a look at the five largest completed / nearly completed transmission line projects listed here.
What's the big appeal? One distinct advantage the 765kV transmission line is its efficiency, due to its higher operating voltage (and therefore lower current flow).
Also, power losses in a transmission line decrease as voltage increases. Since 765 kV lines use the maximum voltage available in the US, they undergo the least amount of line loss.
So one place 765kV lines are used, for example, is over the mountains from West Virginia to Virginia, where power lines are otherwise cost-inefficient.
The Midwest "Tranche 1 & 2 Portfolio"
The Midwest is gearing up for a massive new transmission line grid, This grid includes plans for several 765 kV transmission "highways" across sections of Minnesota, Iowa, Wisconsin, Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, North Dakota and Missouri.
Why do this much work? In the western area of the region, covering Minnesota, Iowa, North Dakota, Wisconsin and Michigan's Upper Peninsula, 20% of its facilities are overloaded. Also annual curtailments exceed 15%. Not sustainable business practice, especially in the energy field.
That's just one area of the region. All areas have similar overloads and exceeded curtailments.
The million dollar question for this project is, are 765kV lines enough? Or do they need more? They want to make sure doing all that work once will be sufficient for future needs.
Good thinking on their part.
Texas: the Permian Basin
In western Texas and southeastern New Mexico is the Permian Basin, also known as "the largest oil reserve on the planet". The Public Utility Commission of Texas just informed / invited transmission service providers to apply for eight "import paths" into the Permian Basin region, including:
- five 345-kV import paths, and
- three 765-kV import paths
This plan, if accepted, would bring the first 765kV lines into Texas, and specifically into the Permian Basin where all that oil and gas is.
I do like this quote: "While other states and countries are turning their backs on domestic energy production, decreasing reliability, and increasing costs, Texas is again taking the lead," Permian Basin Petroleum Association President Ben Shepperd said.
The Results?
From small connections over mountains, to large grids and long connections across hundreds of miles, high power transmission lines are playing a bigger part in our power grid. And as we need to replace and upgrade our power grid, you'll be seeing these bigger numbers of 345kV, 500kV, and 765kV more often.
The results? Reliable, consistent, unstoppable energy. When you need it.
Pay attention also to your town hall meetings, as you may well have discussions when these lines are coming through your town.
Enjoy the beautiful October days. |
