Studies and Reports > 2009 MN Biennial Report > WC Planning Zone > Needs: 6.4.14 Maynard - Kerkhoven

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6.4.14 Maynard - Kerkhoven

Tracking Number. 2009-WC-N3

Utilities. Xcel Energy

Inadequacy. The existing Maynard – Kerkhoven Tap 115 kV line contains approximately 14 miles of low-capacity conductor that overloads during outage of the Granite Falls – Willmar 230 kV line.

A map showing the area between Granite Falls and Kerkhoven Substations is shown on the following page.

Alternatives. Two alternatives have been considered. One alternative is to rebuild the line to a higher capacity. The other is some kind of distributed generation in the area.

Analysis. This inadequacy was identified in Xcel Energy’s 2009 NERC Compliance Assessment. The conductor that overloads as a result of this contingency is an older conductor and is the most limiting conductor on the entire 115 kV line. The most effective option is to rebuild the low-capacity conductor to a higher capacity.

Distributed generation is not believed to be an adequate solution to this problem because increased generation development in southwest Minnesota is a chief contributing factor to the increased flow on this transmission line. The capacity of this line needs to be upgraded in order to enable additional generation to interconnect to the transmission system.

Schedule. Due to the size of the need in this area, this project is being pursued to be in service prior to summer 2019. Since the project is a line rebuild without any change in voltage, a Certificate of Need will not be required, and if there is no change in the right-of-way, no Route Permit will be required either.

Click here or on map below to download high resolution PDF map.