Big Stone Transmission will improve regional reliability and capacity
The Big Stone Transmission project will:
- Provide an outlet for electricity from Big Stone II.
- Provide regional reliability and capacity.
In addition, the 345-kilovolt transmission line from Big Stone, S.D., to Granite Falls, Minn., will not only carry coal-produced electricity but could also carry electricity from renewable energy.
Additional infrastructure is needed to meet region’s energy needs.
To deliver the additional power generated by the proposed Big Stone II at the Big Stone site, project participants must build additional infrastructure, including high-voltage transmission lines. While this may sound like a simple undertaking, it is not.
- The regional system operates as a network, not as single transmission lines. Studies are required to determine the impact on the entire transmission network when one piece of it is modified.
- Two options have been proposed. The decision, which will be made by regulatory agencies, will be based on public input, regional studies, and environmental impact.
Increased voltage adds capacity for more wind energy and other projects.
The proposed line from Big Stone to Canby, Minn., to Granite Falls, Minn., originally was proposed at 230,000 kilovolts. After discussions with interested renewable energy proponents and local and state government officials, project participants plan to increase the size of this line to 345,000 kilovolts.
The increase will add system reliability and greater carrying capacity. Estimates are that the increased line voltage will allow for 800 to 1,000 megawatts of carrying capacity over what is needed for the new plant at the Big Stone site when added to other transmission projects planned for the region. This opens the door for more generation projects, such as wind farms, to be built in the region.
In fact, area wind developers say that in order to develop the region’s wind resource, both Big Stone II and Big Stone Transmission are needed. In addition to the testimony of several regional wind energy developers, the regional transmission operator also has testified before the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission to the same need.
Read about the transmission corridor alternatives.
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Transmission corridor descriptionsClick on the map to see a larger image |
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Orange Corridor: This corridor extends from the Big Stone Plant site to Canby, Minn., and on to Granite Falls, Minn. There are two possible corridors between Big Stone and Canby: One is in South Dakota and one is in Minnesota. This corridor is included in either alternative #1 or #2. |
Yellow Corridor: This corridor extends from Ortonville, Minn., to the Willmar, Minn., area. Two options are being explore: One parallels Highway 12 and the other drops south of Highway 12. Both would terminate in the same substation. This corridor is part of alternative #2. |
Green Corridor: This corridor extends from Ortonville, Minn., to just east of Morris, Minn. This corridor is part of alternative #1. |
Commonly asked questions
Q: What are the primary criteria for selecting a preferred
transmission route?
A: Issues to be considered include cost, environmental concerns,
public input, reliability and comments from state regulatory
agencies.
Q: Will the new and up-rated transmission lines have capacity for
new wind resources?
A: The Big Stone project participants plan to increase the voltage of
the transmission line that runs from Big Stone to Granite Falls, Minn.,
from 230 kv to 345 kv, making approximately 1,000 megawatts of
extra transmission capacity available for wind energy or other
generation when combined with other transmission projects planned
for the region.
Q: What is the expected width of the right of way?
A: We expect to need a 125- to 150-foot right-of-way.
Q: What does a 230 kv or 345 kv line look like?
A: These lines are typically a two-pole structure called an H-frame.
We do not expect any large lattice-type steel structures.
Q: Is stray voltage a concern with this project?
A: We don’t expect stray voltage to be a concern on this project, but
we will provide materials on stray voltage to anyone who may want
to learn more about it.
Q: Do you expect that transmission easements will be difficult to get?
A: We don’t know, but we will make every effort to negotiate
easements with landowners.
Q: How much will eminent domain be used to acquire easements?
A: Past experiences indicate that eminent domain is typically used on
a very limited basis. One recent line in North Dakota used eminent
domain authority where the total need for new right of way extended
100 miles.
Q: What is the construction schedule?
A: We expect to engineer the facilities in 2009 and construct them
from 2010 to early 2013.
Project participants include:
- Otter Tail Power Company as the lead developer, Fergus Falls, Minn.
- Central Minnesota Municipal Power Agency, Blue Earth, Minn.
- Heartland Consumers Power District, Madison, S.D.
- Missouri River Energy Services, Sioux Falls, S.D.
- Montana-Dakota Utilities Co., Bismarck, N.D.
For more information, contact:
Dan Sharp, Manager, Communications . 701-426-3650
Steve Schultz, Manager, External Affairs . 218-770-9111
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