First Wind-Oriented CREZ Link Energized in West Texas

Electric Transmission Texas (ETT) has energized the first of seven 345-kV transmission line projects associated with the Competitive Renewable Energy Zone (CREZ) initiative in West Texas.
 
The overall CREZ initiative involves eight different transmission service providers, including ETT, constructing 2,400 miles of transmission lines to carry 18,500 MW of West Texas wind generation to eastern load centers in the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT). ETT is a joint subsidiary between American Electric Power and MidAmerican Energy Holdings Co. that builds and operates transmission facilities within the regional grid operator’s territory, which covers most of Texas. All CREZ projects are scheduled for completion by the end of 2013.
 
The company energized the Riley to Edith Clarke transmission line and the Edith Clarke switching station on July 31. The 345-kV Riley to Edith Clarke transmission line is 41.6 miles long and runs from the Vernon area in Wilbarger County to the Crowell area in Foard County. This phase of the ETT CREZ program represents approximately $141.5 million of ETT’s estimated total CREZ investment of approximately $1.5 billion.
 
ETT received the second-largest assignment of CREZ projects from the Public Utility Commission of Texas (PUCT). The company’s share of the CREZ project includes building about 460 miles of new double-circuit 345-kV lines and 16 switching stations, as well as acquiring rights-of-way across 578 tracts of land and upgrading existing stations and transmission lines. It is the largest transmission construction venture in AEP’s history.
 
“In addition to assigning ETT the second largest share of the transmission projects, the PUCT also assigned ETT the largest amount of advanced technology projects associated with the CREZ initiative,” said ETT President Calvin Crowder. “Given that the ETT CREZ transmission projects are located in the center or ‘backbone’ of the area designated for development, ETT was charged with incorporating new technology that supports system stability as the power produced by wind generators in remote west Texas areas is carried long distances to the eastern areas of ERCOT.”
 
Sources: POWERnews, ETT

—Sonal Patel, Senior Writer (@POWERmagazine, @sonalcpatel)