Studies and Reports > 2009 MN Biennial Report > TC Planning Zone > Needs: 6.5.19 Hollydale and Meadow Lake Load Serving

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6.5.19 Hollydale and Meadow Lake Load Serving

Tracking Number. 2009-TC-N6

Utility. Xcel Energy

Inadequacy. Xcel Energy has experienced load growth in the western Twin Cities Metro area, north of Interstate 394 and south of Bass Lake Road, and has identified a need for additional load serving capability in several communities. Xcel Energy Transmission Planning has received a request from Xcel Energy Capacity Planning for two substations in this area to handle this increasing load. Hollydale is currently a 34.5/13.8 kV distribution substation in Plymouth. Capacity Planning has requested that Hollydale be converted to 115/13.8 kV with an initial transformer and planned to accommodate multiple 50 MVA transformers in the future. Capacity Planning has also identified deficiencies in the distribution system serving the area, including Brooklyn Center, Plymouth and New Hope and neighboring communities, and is requesting a new substation (Meadow Lake) near the intersection of Bass Lake Rd. and Hwy 169. The initial substation would include one 50 MVA 115/13.8 kV transformer with room for expansion.

Alternatives. These interconnections are still under review and several alternatives have been identified to address these inadequacy:

Due to the continuing review of this interconnection, the proposed alternative is subject to change. Hollydale is situated adjacent to a 69 kV line between Medina and Plymouth Substations. To support the increase in load for the substation the leading option is to convert the existing 69 kV line to 115 kV and construct a 115 kV switching station between Great River Energy’s Plymouth and Bass Lake Substations on the connecting 115 kV line. The analysis area for Meadow Lake is bounded by four substations (Osseo, Twin Lakes, Basset Creek, and Plymouth). All combinations of looped and double-circuit service were investigated for Meadow Lake (approximately ten alternatives). The leading alternative is a line between the new Plymouth Substation and Twin Lakes Substation to support the new Meadow Lake Substation. One initial concept would have this line following an existing rail corridor.

Due to the density of load in this area, the amount of load serving support needed, and the cost of distributed generation resources, distributed generation was not deemed to be a feasible alternative for addressing this inadequacy.

Analysis. The leading option to interconnect both of the substations is to convert the 69 kV Medina - Plymouth line to 115 kV and construct a 115 kV switching station on Great River Energy’s line between Plymouth and Bass Lake. The Meadow Lake Substation would be connected to the new Plymouth Switching Station and Twin Lakes Substation by a new 115 kV line.

Schedule. The present schedule calls for upgrading the Hollydale Substation by June 2013, and to place the new Meadow Lake Substation into service by June 2015.

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