Studies and Reports > 2009 MN Biennial Report > WC Planning Zone > Needs: 6.4.18 Brooten – Lowry area

To inquire about this project, click here.

6.4.18 Brooten – Lowry area

Tracking Number. 2009-WC-N7

Utilities. Xcel Energy

Inadequacy: This study area has a relatively low load growth, and is served by very low capacity lines with high impedance. The loss of the Douglas Co source towards Lowry would result in low voltages along the 69 kV line from Brooten to Lowery to Westport. The age of the lines in this area is also identified as a source of poor reliability of service in this region.

The completion of the Grove Lake switching station and conversion of the Benson – Gilchrist

41.6 kV line to 69 kV help in improving the voltages, but these are not adequate to improve the voltages at Lowery loads north of Lowery.

Alternatives: Two alternatives have been investigated – reconductoring the line to the Grove Lake switching station and distributed generation.

Analysis. Analysis indicates that reconductoring the line from the Grove Lake switching station to Lowery will result in reducing the impedance sufficiently to improve the voltages in the area. Recondutoring the line will also replace the aging lines in the study area thereby improving the reliability.

Distributed generation is not believed to be an adequate solution to this problem due to its cost, the extent of the low voltage problem, and the need for that generation to be online at all times in advance of the critical contingency.

Schedule: This project is expected to be inservice between 2011 and 2012

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