Studies and Reports > 2009 MN Biennial Report > TC Planning Zone > Needs: 6.5.2 Aldrich to St. Louis Park

To inquire about this project, click here.

6.5.2 Aldrich to St. Louis Park

Tracking Number. 2003-TC-N1

Utility. Xcel Energy

Inadequacy. The Aldrich – St. Louis Park 115 kV line is subject to overload if another line in the area were to be out of service.

Alternatives. Two alternatives were identified – both alternatives involve the reconductoring of a 3.7 mile long portion of the Aldrich line to a higher capacity. Alternative 1 called for upgrading the line to an intermediate level in 2006 (310 MVA) and to a higher level by 2018 (348 MVA). Alternative 2 called for rebuilding the line to a higher level in 2006 (348 MVA). The alternatives differ in that Alternative 1 defers rebuilding of the line until more capacity is required.

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

Analysis. The need to upgrade the Aldrich/St. Louis Park line is documented in the Report of Study of Aldrich-St. Louis Park 115kV and Edina-Eden Prairie 115kV Transmission Line Upgrades (2005). The Aldrich/St. Louis Park line has been shown to overload when other system elements are out of service.

Schedule. Xcel Energy completed an upgrade of the line to a 310 MVA rating in March 2006. Approval from the Public Utilities Commission was not required to upgrade the line. The second phase of the plan – reconductoring the line to a higher capacity – will be further investigated when system planning studies demonstrate a need.

2009 Update. Xcel Energy continues to monitor the situation. The need to upgrade the line to an even higher MVA rating is not necessary at this time.

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