Studies and Reports > 2009 MN Biennial Report > WC Planning Zone > Needs: 6.4.6 West St. Cloud Area

To inquire about this project, click here.

6.4.6 West St. Cloud Area

Tracking Number. 2003-WC-N9

Utility. Great River Energy

Inadequacy. As reported in the past two Biennial Reports and discussed above in the Douglas County-Paynesville-Wakefield-West St. Cloud section of this Biennial Report (Tracking Number 2003-WC-N8), the 69 kV system around the West St. Cloud area experiences near term low voltage problems for the loss of the West St. Cloud 115/69 kV transformer. The West St. Cloud 115/69 kV transformer also experiences overload problems in the near term for the loss of the Richmond to Big Fish Tap 69 kV line outage.

A map of the area is shown on the following page.

Alternatives. The recommended alternative to mitigate both the low voltage and overload problems in the short term is the upgrading of distribution substations that serve loads from the 69 kV system in the area to the 115 kV system. The LeSauk and Westwood I distribution substations are recommended to be converted to the 115 kV system in the near term. The West St. Cloud 115/69 kV, 47 MVA transformer is also recommended to be replaced with an 84 MVA transformer in near term. The long term solution to this area is included in the Douglas County – Paynesville-Wakefield-West St. Cloud area discussion (Tracking Number 2003-WC-N8).

Analysis. Stearns Electric Association serves the West St. Cloud area with two 69 kV distribution substations – LeSauk and Westwood I – and with one 115 kV distribution sub, Westwood II. The LeSauk and Westwood I distribution substations experience low voltage problems for the loss of the West St. Cloud 115/69 kV transformer outage in the short term. These substations will have better voltage profile when they are converted to the 115 kV system, which is found in a very close proximity to these substations. These conversions will relieve, but not solve the West St. Cloud transformer loading issues. It is recommended that the 47 MVA transformer at the West St. Cloud 115/69 kV substation be replaced with an 84 MVA transformer in the 2011 timeframe. The transmission system will further be improved when the preferred project from the Douglas County-Paynesville-Wakefield-West St. Cloud area study (Tracking Number 2003-WC-N8) is in-service in the area.

Distributed generation is not a desirable option as the 115 kV line where the distribution substations will be tapped is located in a very close proximity to these distribution substations. This makes the sub conversion option far less expensive than the distributed generation option.

Schedule. GRE, Stearns Electric Association, and Xcel Energy are coordinating their efforts to convert the LeSauk distribution substation to 115 kV during fall 2009. The Westwood I substation conversion and the West St Cloud 115/69 kV, 84 MVA transformer installations are tentatively scheduled for 2011.

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