VAIL TO VALENCIA 115 KV TO 138 KV May 2013 VAIL TO VALENCIA 115 KV TO 138 KV TRANSMISSION LINE...
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Updated: May 2013 VAIL TO VALENCIA 115 KV TO 138 KV TRANSMISSION LINE UPGRADE PROJECT PROJECT DESCRIPTION UniSource Energy Services (UES) is replacing an existing 115,000 volt (115 kV) transmission line with a 138,000 volt (138 kV) transmission line between the Vail Substation, located southeast of Tucson, and the Valencia Substation in Nogales, Arizona. The existing transmission line is the primary source of electrical service for customers in Nogales, Arizona and surrounding communities. Primary elements of the project include: • Changing the interconnection point from the current location at Western Area Power Administration’s “Nogales Tap” to Tucson Electric Power’s Vail Substation • Replacing the existing 115kV line with a new 138 kV line • Replacing transformers at three of the four UES substations • Replacing aging wooden H-frame structures with steel monopoles PURPOSE AND NEED The Arizona Corporation Commission (ACC) originally approved the Certificate of Environmental Compatibility (CEC) for the transmission upgrade project in October 2009 (Case 144, Vail to Valencia 115 kV to 138 kV Transmission Line Upgrade Project) after an extensive environmental analysis and consultation with the public and separate stakeholder groups in Pima and Santa Cruz counties. This project will help to improve reliability and meet the increasing demand for power in Nogales and the Santa Cruz River Valley. The new line will strengthen UES’ current electrical distribution system, which will allow UES to adequately and reliably serve the area now and in the future. LOCATION The Vail to Valencia line spans approximately 55 miles from an area south of Tucson to Nogales, Arizona, over private and state-owned land. Although much of the new line will follow the route of the existing 115 kV line, portions of the project will follow a new alignment. New steel monopoles are currently being installed in these new sections at locations agreed upon with property owners. PROJECT SPECIFICATION • Self-weathering steel monopoles will be installed along the project route. Steel poles are more reliable and require less maintenance. • UES has worked with property owners to establish the necessary easements before beginning construction of the line. • In accordance with the CEC granted by the ACC, construction supervisors, employees and contractors attended environmental training prior to project construction to be informed regarding environmental concerns, applicable environmental laws, and requirements for compliance. • In areas with rugged terrain, helicopters may be used to assist with line construction. Use of helicopters in these areas will help to limit construction time and ground disturbance. CONSTRUCTION SCHEDULE Primary construction is currently underway for this project, which is scheduled to be completed within the first few months of 2014. Work will be performed in several phases: : • The portion between the Vail Substation and the Nogales Tap has been completed. • Construction of the transmission line and associated road improvements located south of Amado commenced within the first few months of 2013 and is scheduled to continue through the end of 2013. • Improvements to substations serving the line will continue through the end of 2013. • Commissioning the substations and new 138 kV line will occur within the first few months of 2014. • Removal of existing facilities, “wreck out”, will occur in 2014 once the new line is operational. CONTACT INFORMATION For additional information, please contact Corporate Communications (520) 884-3742 or visit the project web page at https://www.uesaz.com/projects/transmission/vail/ AN EXAMPLE OF PHASE 4 CONSTRUCTION This photo, taken south of Amado, shows recently installed steel monopole structures alongside old, wooden “H-frame” structures along the Vail to Valencia Transmission Line. The H-frame structures will be removed after construction of new facilities is complete.
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Transcript of VAIL TO VALENCIA 115 KV TO 138 KV May 2013 VAIL TO VALENCIA 115 KV TO 138 KV TRANSMISSION LINE...
Updated: May 2013
VAIL TO VALENCIA 115 KV TO 138 KV TRANSMISSION LINE UPGRADE PROJECT
PROJECT DESCRIPTIONUniSource Energy Services (UES) is replacing an existing 115,000 volt (115 kV) transmission line with a 138,000 volt (138 kV) transmission line between the Vail Substation, located southeast of Tucson, and the Valencia Substation in Nogales, Arizona. The existing transmission line is the primary source of electrical service for customers in Nogales, Arizona and surrounding communities.
Primary elements of the project include:• Changing the interconnection point from the current
location at Western Area Power Administration’s “Nogales Tap” to Tucson Electric Power’s Vail Substation
• Replacing the existing 115kV line with a new 138 kV line• Replacing transformers at three of the four UES
substations• Replacing aging wooden H-frame structures with steel
monopoles
PURPOSE AND NEEDThe Arizona Corporation Commission (ACC) originally approved the Certificate of Environmental Compatibility(CEC) for the transmission upgrade project in October 2009 (Case 144, Vail to Valencia 115 kV to 138 kV Transmission Line Upgrade Project) after an extensive environmental analysis and consultation with the public and separate stakeholder groups in Pima and Santa Cruz counties.
This project will help to improve reliability and meet the increasing demand for power in Nogales and the Santa Cruz River Valley. The new line will strengthen UES’ current electrical distribution system, which will allow UES to adequately and reliably serve the area now and in the future.
LOCATIONThe Vail to Valencia line spans approximately 55 miles from an area south of Tucson to Nogales, Arizona, over private and state-owned land. Although much of the new line will follow the route of the existing 115 kV line, portions of the project will follow a new alignment. New steel monopoles are currently being installed in these new sections at locations agreed upon with property owners.
PROJECT SPECIFICATION• Self-weathering steel monopoles will be installed
along the project route. Steel poles are more reliable and require less maintenance.
• UES has worked with property owners to establish the necessary easements before beginning construction of the line.
• In accordance with the CEC granted by the ACC, construction supervisors, employees and contractors
attended environmental training prior to project construction to be informed regarding environmental concerns, applicable environmental laws, and requirements for compliance.
• In areas with rugged terrain, helicopters may be used to assist with line construction. Use of helicopters in these areas will help to limit construction time and ground disturbance.
CONSTRUCTION SCHEDULEPrimary construction is currently underway for this project, which is scheduled to be completed within the first fewmonths of 2014. Work will be performed in several phases: :• The portion between the Vail Substation and the
Nogales Tap has been completed.• Construction of the transmission line and associated
road improvements located south of Amado commencedwithinthefirstfewmonthsof2013andisscheduled to continue through the end of 2013.
• Improvements to substations serving the line will continue through the end of 2013.
• Commissioning the substations and new 138 kV line willoccurwithinthefirstfewmonthsof2014.
• Removal of existing facilities, “wreck out”, will occur in 2014 once the new line is operational.
CONTACT INFORMATIONFor additional information, please contact Corporate Communications (520) 884-3742 or visit the project web page at https://www.uesaz.com/projects/transmission/vail/
AN EXAMPLE OF PHASE 4 CONSTRUCTION
This photo, taken south of Amado, shows recently installed steel monopole structures alongside old, wooden “H-frame” structures along the Vail to Valencia Transmission Line. The H-frame structures will be removed after construction of new facilities is complete.
UniSource Energy Services
VAIL TO VALENCIA AREA PROJECT MAP
VAIL TO VALENCIA 115 KV TO 138 KV TRANSMISSION LINE UPGRADE PROJECT
