Ellerslie Substation Expansion

Transcription

1 Ellerslie Substation Expansion Volume 2 UV 2 North Saskatchewan River EDMONTON UV 216 UV 14 ") ELLERSLIE 89S Bretona!! Trevithick March 2010 Why are you receiving this newsletter? You are receiving this newsletter because you are a landowner, resident or occupant located near the existing Ellerslie substation. You may have received an AltaLink newsletter in January 2010 regarding this project, and we want to provide you with important project details that have been updated recently. BEAUMONT We also want to provide you with: A photograph of new equipment that we are considering Maps of the project area Information on how you can provide input What does this project involve? The Ellerslie substation is a termination point for the proposed Heartland 500 kilovolt (kv) transmission line Preferred East Transportation Utility Corridor (TUC) route. This substation expansion will be constructed as described in this newsletter only if the Preferred East TUC Route for the Heartland transmission 500 kv overhead transmission line is approved by the Alberta Utilities Commission (AUC). Information about the Heartland Transmission Project is available on the project website at If the Heartland Transmission Project s Preferred East TUC overhead transmission line is approved by the AUC, AltaLink is proposing to: Extend the fence and earthen bank (berm) between the substation and neighbouring residences Install six gas insulated transmission lines (GILs) within the expanded substation site You are invited to an Open House Date: Tuesday, April 27, 2010 Time: 4-8 p.m. Place: Ellerslie Recreation and Curling Club Street SW Edmonton, AB

2 Electricity. When you need it. What are the project details? Fence and Berm Extensions To reduce the visual impact of the project, AltaLink is proposing to extend the substation fence and earthen bank (berm) eastward by approximately 150 metres. This will provide a visual barrier between the substation site and neighbouring residences. Gas Insulated Transmission Lines (GILs) To interconnect the Ellerslie substation, called 89S, with the proposed Heartland 500 kv transmission line Preferred East TUC route, AltaLink is proposing to install six gas insulated transmission lines (GILs) either at ground level or underground. Specific configuration of the GILs will be determined during the detailed engineering phase. AltaLink is proposing GILs instead of overhead transmission lines and structures due to their reduced visual impact. GILs are conductors enclosed in metal pipes designed for high voltage transmission. Each GIL will be approximately 300 metres long and 0.5 metres in diameter. GILs contain sulphur-hexaflouride (SF6) gas, a colourless, odorless, noncorrosive and nonflammable gas, which insulates the conductors. GILs and SF6 gas have been used safely for approximately 30 years worldwide and have a proven reliability. Please refer to the picture below of a typical GIL arrangement. Typical GIL arrangement

3 How much noise will the new facilities create? The audible noise levels generated from the proposed transmission facilities will be below the Alberta Utilities Commission (AUC) prescribed limit of 43 decibels (dba). In urban areas, as a result of noise from roadways, residences, industries, rail lines and airports, the AUC nighttime limit can range between 43 decibels (dba) and 56 dba depending on proximity to other noise sources, with many urban residences falling into the 43 to 51 dba range. For comparison, the audible noise level one metre away from a refrigerator is 34 to 53 dba and 80 to 90 dba at the same distance from an electric lawn mower. We will take audible noise and radio/tv interference measurements near the substation when the new facilities are installed. All transmission facilities must be compliant with the applicable AUC Noise Control Rule 12 and federal interference guidelines. The AUC s Noise Control Rule can be found on the AUC s website at Other projects in the area: 1202L Reenergization from 240 kv to 500 kv Ellerslie to Clover Bar Reinforcement 904L interconnection to EPCOR s Summerside substation. EPCOR s Summerside substation is currently under construction. To find out about these projects, please visit or call

4 What happens during construction? Depending on where you live or work in relation to the existing Ellerslie substation, you may see or hear construction crews. Throughout the construction process, AltaLink and its contractors will follow all applicable Alberta Environment legislation and requirements and use appropriate techniques to protect water quality, soil, vegetation and wildlife habitat. Any noise associated with the construction and/or operation of the new facilities will comply with the Alberta Utilities Commission s (AUC) Noise Control Rule 12 and any other relevant noise regulations and standards. What about Electric and Magnetic Fields (EMF)? AltaLink recognizes that some people are concerned about EMF and we treat those concerns very seriously. AltaLink provides information to people who have questions to keep them informed about the status of EMF research, as summarized by national and international scientific and health agencies, including Health Canada and the World Health Organization. AltaLink has experts who are available on request to measure the EMF or noise levels around your home, and ensure that all ungrounded metallic objects such as metal buildings and fences near the transmission lines and/or substation are properly grounded if necessary.

5 What is the project schedule? Early 2010 April 2010 Spring 2010 Early 2012 Late 2012 Notify and consult with landowners, residents and occupants. Open House. Anticipated filing date of Facility Application with the Alberta Utilities Commission (AUC). Start of project construction if approval is received from the AUC. Complete construction of the project. Why is this project needed? If the Heartland Transmission Project s Preferred East TUC route is approved, this project will be necessary to interconnect it to the Alberta Interconnected Electric System (AIES). Please note that the Ellerslie substation will be expanded as described in this newsletter only if the AUC approves the Heartland Transmission Project s Preferred East TUC overhead transmission line route. The AUC is a quasi-judicial agency that ensures the fair and responsible delivery of our utility services. Additional information regarding this project and other transmission projects in Alberta can be found in the Alberta Electric System Operator (AESO) Long-term Transmission System Plan 2009, which is also available on the AESO website at The AESO is an independent, not-for-profit entity responsible for the safe, reliable and economic planning and operation of the Alberta Interconnected Electric System. Included in this Stakeholder Information Package: A Dialogue on Electric & Magnetic Fields Good Neighbours Public Involvement in Needs or Facilities Applications

6 How can you provide input? Who can you contact for more information? To learn more about the proposed project you can contact: AltaLink: (toll-free) Alberta Electric System Operator (AESO): (toll-free) Alberta Utilities Commission (AUC): (You can call toll-free by dialing before the number.) AltaLink s representatives will contact landowners, residents and occupants near the Ellerslie substation by phone or in person to discuss the project, gather feedback and address questions or concerns. We are also hosting an open house where project team members will be available to answer questions, provide information about the project and receive your feedback. We consider landowner comments in our project evaluations and summarize the input received from landowners in our Facility Application (FA). The FA describes our plans to meet technical requirements set by the AESO and provides information on facility siting, the environment, costs, project components and schedules, and our participant involvement program. We will submit the FA to the Alberta Utilities Commission (AUC) for its approval. We have enclosed a copy of the AUC brochure, Public Involvement in Needs or Facilities Applications, which describes how you can be involved in the AUC process. Thank you! Your feedback is important to us. To learn more about AltaLink visit To learn more about this project visit or please contact us at the information listed below. Ellerslie Substation Expansion Project rd Avenue SE Calgary, AB T2A 7W7 Phone: (toll-free) stakeholderrelations@altalink.ca Who is AltaLink? AltaLink owns transmission facilities in the area and is notifying and consulting with stakeholders about this project. We are based in Alberta and own and operate approximately 11,800 kilometres of transmission lines and approximately 270 substations. We provide electric service to more than 85 per cent of Albertans and own the majority of the transmission system in central and southern Alberta. To find out more about AltaLink, or if you have any questions please contact us at: