Initiating any transmission project, whether it involves building a new substation or constructing a new line, is a process that begins with a distinct need. Transmission studies are initiated by transmission service providers like Southwest Power Pool, Midcontinent Independent System Operator, or the Common Use System. These transmission service providers offer services across the transmission system ensuring the proper utilization of existing lines and voltage parameters.
The need for transmission projects can arise from various factors, including the aging condition of facilities requiring refurbishment or the necessity to expand the transmission network to accommodate growing loads and new generation interconnections. This expansion is crucial for alleviating congestion issues. “Congestion occurs when there is not enough room on the existing transmission network,” says Jeremy Severson, Basin Electric vice president of Transmission. “Severe congestion results in costs to our membership because the energy market isn’t dispatching the most economic resources, as well as the financial risks due to congestion rights.” To address this, the Transmission team strategically identifies potential congestion points or needs on the system five to 10 years ahead. Once those needs are identified, transmission planners embark on an exploration of multiple avenues to address the issue at hand and narrow options down to a preferred project to mitigate the need.
Once a project is chosen by the transmission authority, a project team performs an analysis of the project area, identifying constraints related to potential transmission routes, such as proximity to residences, wildlife refuges, and critical habitats. Area landowners are contacted, and public open house meetings are often scheduled in the project area to provide information on the project, purpose, and need. As the team gathers landowner feedback, numerous iterations take place to adjust the proposed routes until a preferred route is selected. At that point, the project team will engage in negotiations with landowners to secure easements or options for an easement. Upon finalizing the route, applications are submitted to regulatory agencies overseeing and permitting the project. “In the meantime, Engineering develops construction plans, collaborating with Procurement staff to issue requests for proposals for hardware, materials, structures, and construction contracts. The team reviews bids and schedules proposals and selects and awards contracts,” says Bobby Nasset, Basin Electric Civil Engineering supervisor.
Basin Electric has four transmission projects going simultaneously, which can create challenges when it comes to schedules and resources. Nasset says the intricacies of multiple projects require careful consideration of priorities, spending allocation, and material procurement. Nasset says there are advantages to combining contracts for materials and delivery across projects to enhance flexibility, despite the challenge of material lead times and potential adjustments as the final route evolves. The team must strike a balance between schedule needs, cost considerations, and efficiency in the procurement process while evaluating risks and implementing mitigations during the permitting and construction phases.
For Basin Electric, building additional generation and transmission infrastructure is necessary. This is not merely a matter of expansion but a critical step in maintaining a reliable, affordable, and sustainable generation and transmission system that can adapt to evolving
energy demands.
