DATC Proposes Transmission Projects To Spur Delivery Of Renewable Energy Across The Midwest

Sept. 12, 2011 - Renew Grid - renewgridmag.com

Duke-American Transmission Co. (DATC) has released a proposal for seven new transmission-line projects in five Midwestern states.

According to DATC, these projects will enable increased delivery of high-quality renewable resources such as wind power, fill gaps in the existing transmission grid, improve electric system reliability and market efficiency, and provide economic benefits to local utilities.

In submittals to the Midwest Independent Transmission System Operator (MISO) and PJM, DATC will propose seven distinct projects in Iowa, Wisconsin, Illinois, Indiana and Ohio. The DATC projects include more than 1,300 circuit miles of 345 kV lines and 550 miles of 500 kV high-voltage direct-current lines. The individual projects range from 65 to 696 miles and have a total cost of approximately $4 billion.

DATC will submit these projects to MISO for inclusion in the Midwest Transmission Expansion Plan; a subset of these projects will be submitted to PJM's Regional Transmission Expansion Plan. DATC will commence meetings with the local utilities, regulators, public officials and agencies in the five states in which the projects are proposed, as well as with federal and regional energy regulators.

The projects would be constructed in phases over the next 10 years, with certain projects serving as prerequisites for others.