Meeting the Electric
Reliability |
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Tri-Lakes Region, New York
Over the past several decades, the reliability of the electric system in the Tri-Lakes Region has been increasingly challenged as the population and use of technology continue to grow. However, with certain exceptions, the major infrastructure that supplies electricity to the area has not been upgraded or expanded since the late 1970s and has reached its limit to maintain system reliability and serve the load in the region. The result is an immediate need to enhance the reliability of the system to adequately provide electric service to consumers during periods of high demand, especially during the severely cold winter months.
In September 2004, an agreement was executed between the villages of Lake Placid and Tupper Lake, National Grid and the New York Power Authority (NYPA) to help alleviate the longstanding reliability problems in the region through short- and long-term solutions. The Tri-Lakes Reliability Project, one of the long-term solutions identified by the interested parties, was developed through a cooperative effort between National Grid and NYPA. It consists of two static var compensators (SVC) to improve voltage conditions, a new 26-mile 46 kV power line, and energy efficiency and clean energy projects.
The SVCs became operational in the spring of 2007 and are located within existing substations serving the Tupper Lake and Lake Colby areas. The new 46 kV line is to be located within the Adirondack Park in St. Lawrence County. Construction of the northern section is scheduled to begin in August 2007 while construction of the southern section is expected to start in October 2007. The middle section of the line is scheduled to begin April 2008. The majority of the 26-mile route for the new line is located along 15.6 miles of existing highway/utility corridors and will be overbuilt (share the same poles) with existing utility lines in approximately the same location as existing poles. Portions of the route that are not following existing rights-of-way (ROW) are primarily not visible to the public. To reduce potential visual impact of the line, wood poles (similar to existing poles) will be used along existing corridors. In addition, efforts have been made to minimize the need for any new utility corridors.The route begins near the Stark Reservoir where a new substation will be built in Parishville off Racquet River Road. From there, the line will travel south along State Route 56 until reaching Forest Preserve land. It would then veer west off Route 56 at the top section of the Forest Preserve, then head south around the preserve boundary before heading east to again follow State Route 56 south to Sevey Corners in Colton. The line will then travel east along State Route 3 to connect and end with a new regulator station near an existing substation in Piercefield. An existing supply line from the Piercefield substation would bring the power to the Tupper Lake substation.
For a short portion of the new line, an alternative route has been proposed along Route 56 that would eliminate the bypass around the Forest Preserve as described above. This would decrease the overall length of the line by three miles and remove the need to clear a ROW around the Forest Preserve. In most cases, use of Forest Preserve land requires a New York State constitutional amendment, and as of this writing, that process is underway.The entire Tri-Lakes Reliability Project team appreciates your continued support. We look forward to working with you to meet the energy needs of the region with safe and reliable electricity.
For more information call Jim Bunyan, project manager at 1.800.990.1909.
Route map for Tri-Lakes region planned improvements
CD 4195 07/07