Studies and Reports > 2009 MN Biennial Report > TC Planning Zone > Needs: 6.5.8 Yankee Doodle 115 kV Substation Conversion

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6.5.8 Yankee Doodle 115 kV Substation Conversion

Tracking Number. 2005-TC-N6

Utility. Great River Energy, Xcel Energy, and Dakota Electric Association

Inadequacy. The Yankee Doodle Substation, located in Eagan, is part of the Dakota Electric Cooperative system. (Dakota Electric is a member of Great River Energy). As reported in the 2007 Report, because of load growth in the area, the Yankee Doodle Substation was converted to 115 kV in the 2006 timeframe. While this conversion resolved many of the long range issues of the 69 kV system by reducing load supplied from it, the Yankee Doodle Substation is now served from a single source on a radial 115 kV line. A second source is required to provide a reliable service to the Yankee Doodle Substation.

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

Alternatives: As explained in the 2007 and 2005 Biennial Reports, three alternatives were developed to provide a second source to the Yankee Doodle double ended distribution substation. The following are the alternatives:

Alternative 1. A Rogers Lake-Lone Oak-Yankee Doodle-Rogers Lake 115 kV loop

Alternative 2. A Pilot Knob to Yankee Doodle 115 kV line

Alternative 3. An Inver Grove to Yankee Doodle 115 kV line

A distributed generation alternative was also considered.

Analysis: The second alternative calling for the construction of a 115 kV line from Pilot Knob to Yankee Doodle is the best alternative to provide the second source to the Yankee Doodle Substations. The other two alternatives are more costly than Alternative 2. The Pilot Knob to Yankee Doodle 115 kV line will be constructed by double circuiting with the Inver Grove to Pilot Knob 115 kV line and the Eagan to Lemay Lake 69 kV line. Dakota Electric Association plans to upgrade the Eagan distribution substation to 115 kV in conjunction with the Pilot Knob to Yankee Doodle 115 kV line project.

The Yankee Doodle Substation serves the metro area where there are land constraints to establish distributed generation for load serving needs in the area. Any distributed generation in that area needs to match the growing loads that are served from the Yankee Doodle, Eagan and other neighboring distribution substations in the area. Thus, from the reliability and feasibility standpoint, distributed generation is not a desirable option for this area.

Schedule: The Pilot Knob to Yankee Doodle 115 kV project is expected to be in-service in the 2010 timeframe. No certificate of need is required from the Public Utilities Commission because the line will be under ten miles in length and a permit will be obtained from local governmental bodies.

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