TSM puts the finishing touches on Roundup-to-Kummer Ridge transmission line

The Transmission Systems Maintenance (TSM) team successfully energized the Roundup-to-Kummer Ridge transmission line December 17, 2024.

The 345-kilovolt transmission line was needed to address load growth in western North Dakota, helping serve Basin Electric’s members in the region.

Typically, the TSM team begins the process by installing terminal equipment, including high voltage circuit breakers, current transformers, potential transformers, lightning arresters, protection and control devices, and other sensing equipment, as well as disconnecting switches.

Because that infrastructure had been previously commissioned and energized with the existing Roundup substation near Killdeer, North Dakota, and Kummer Ridge substation near Johnson’s Corner, the team focused on the critical task of building the transmission line.

“It was unique that for this transmission line, the infrastructure was already in place from work our team did years ago,” said Derik Johnson, manager of Transmission System Maintenance. “But even with that chunk of work out of the way, there were a lot of other aspects that needed to be addressed before the line could be energized.”

Some of the other tasks the team tackled before energizing the transmission line included the programming of periodic maintenance inspections, Optical Ground Wire testing, removing contractor grounds, working with Western Area Power Administration to set an energization date, and more. 

Although the TSM team put the finishing touches on the Roundup-to-Kummer Ridge transmission line project, it was a big effort with many Basin Electric team members playing a role, including the Right-of-Way, Permitting, and Engineering teams as well as the construction contractor, Forbes/Timberline.