NYPA reaches first milestone in transmission project
USA, New York: The New York Power Authority (NYPA) announced the completion its Smart Path Transmission project.
Image source: T&D World
USA, New York: The New York Power Authority (NYPA) announced the completion its Smart Path Transmission project.
“The Smart Path transmission project is critically important to the resiliency of New York’s north-south transmission system,” said Gil C. Quiniones, NYPA president and CEO. “The benefits of this important transmission work accrue incrementally, so every time we complete a section, New York State’s transmission system becomes that much stronger, more resilient and reliable.”
The Smart Path project involves rebuilding about 125 km (78 mi) of the total 138 km (86 mi) transmission artery that was constructed originally by the federal government in 1942 and acquired by the Power Authority in 1950. The newly rebuilt lines will connect economical, clean and renewable energy into the state-wide power system, including low-cost hydropower from NYPA’s St. Lawrence-Franklin D. Roosevelt Power Project as well as power from newly constructed renewable energy sources.
Construction involves the replacement of the original H-frame wood poles, some of which are more than 80 years old with single steel monopoles in the existing right of way. The project, which has been broken into 6 parts—three segments per line—includes high-voltage transmission lines from Massena to Croghan.
Work on the first 34 km (21 mi) section of the MA 2 line began at the beginning of the year. A total of 104 new structures have been installed, and the rebuilt section was energised earlier this month.
There are five remaining transmission line segments to be rebuilt under the Smart Path project. The first phase of the Smart Path project is expected to be complete in 2023.
The rebuilt lines will be capable of transmitting up to 345 kV. However, they will be operated in the near-term at the 230 kV level. Together the lines are currently rated to carry 900 MW during the winter months–enough clean electricity to power up to 900,000 averaged-sized homes. This ability to increase the voltage when the demand requires it is a cost-effective way to add on more renewable power, especially from in-state renewable generation, anywhere along the transmission line, as New York continues to advance its clean energy goals.
Source: T&D World