To help ensure a reliable and resilient grid that can expand in the future, Minnesota Power this week outlined planned upgrades to its high-voltage, direct-current (HVDC) transmission system that delivers renewable wind energy from its Bison Wind Energy Center in North Dakota to customers in Minnesota.
Minnesota Power, an operating division of ALLETE, is filing a Certificate of Need and Route Permit on June 1 with the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission to replace aging critical infrastructure and modernize the terminal stations of its 465-mile HVDC transmission line that runs from Center, North Dakota, to Hermantown, Minnesota.
“Investing in transmission and replacing aging infrastructure with modern technology are critical to strengthening the reliability and resiliency of the grid in the Upper Midwest—especially as we experience more frequent extreme weather events and our energy supply continues to evolve,” said Julie Pierce, vice president Minnesota Power Strategy and Planning. “Maintaining and enhancing the reliable delivery of essential energy is a critical component of Minnesota Power’s EnergyForward strategy as we prepare to meet the state of Minnesota’s accelerated standard of delivering carbon-free energy by 2040.”
In Minnesota, the HVDC Modernization Project will replace aging converter facilities at the Arrowhead Substation in Hermantown with new buildings and electrical infrastructure near the existing terminal, implementing state-of-the-art technology. The project also includes construction of three transmission lines of less than a mile each on the site to connect the new converter station to the existing electric system. Similar upgrades are planned for the converter facilities at the Square Butte East Substation in Center, North Dakota.
“The HVDC system is critical infrastructure, and after more than 45 years of service it’s time to make improvements in sizing and configuration that will help improve reliability and reduce transmission congestion on our electric grid,” said Dan Gunderson, vice president Transmission and Distribution for Minnesota Power. “We’re leveraging existing assets in the most cost-effective way to ensure a resilient grid. Additionally, this upgrade will support the continued safe and reliable delivery of electricity to our customers, and advance the grid needed to support the carbon reduction goals of our state.”
HVDC Modernization Project benefits
- Improves reliability of the transmission system.
- Improves system resiliency by creating bi-directional line capability, which allows energy to flow in either direction to where it is needed.
- Expands the operating capacity of the HVDC terminals now and in the future for additional energy transfers in the Upper Midwest.
- Replaces critical infrastructure that has reached the end of its design life.
SOURCE: Businesswire