Facilities Study
For
XXXXXXXXXXXX Wind Park
Interconnection Switching Station
Prepared For:
Randy Harlas, Substation Manager
El Paso Electric Company
El Paso, TX
September 2010
Table of Contents
CERTIFICATION ................................................................................................................................ 1
1.
GENERAL ............................................................................................................................. 2
2.
FOREWORD ......................................................................................................................... 2
3.
DISCLAIMER ........................................................................................................................ 2
4.
SCOPE OF WORK ............................................................................................................... 3
Transmission – Springerville to Luna 345 kV Line Tap ........................................................ 3
Station – XXXXXXXXXXXX 345kV Switching Station .......................................................... 3
1,2
Table 1 – Network Upgrade – Material Costs .................................................................... 7
1,2
Table 2 – EPE Interconnection Facilities – Material Costs ................................................ 7
5.
COST SUMMARIES ............................................................................................................. 8
Table 3 – Network Upgrade - Installation Costs
1,2
................................................................ 8
Table 4 – EPE Interconnection Facilities – Installation Costs............................................... 9
6.
CONCLUSIONS .................................................................................................................... 9
Project Schedule – Transmission ......................................................................................... 9
Project Schedule – Switching Station ................................................................................... 9
Overall Project Cost .............................................................................................................. 10
7.
LIST OF ATTACHMENTS..................................................................................................... 10
Documents ............................................................................................................................ 10
Substation Preliminary Design Drawings .............................................................................. 10
Certification
Texas State - Certification
I hereby certify, as a Professional Engineer in the state of Texas, that the information in
this document was assembled under my direct personal charge. This report is not
intended or represented to be suitable for re-use by El Paso Electric Company or others
without specific verification or adaptation by the Engineer (Burns & McDonnell). This
certification is made in accordance with the provisions of the laws and rules of the Texas
State Board of Engineers Administrative Code.
Electrical Engineer
_________________________
Kirk Saint Alwyn Powell, P.E.
TX License No. 91951
Date: August 26, 2010
Approved P.E. Seal (Electrical)
Civil/Structural Engineer
_________________________
Kristie J Green, P.E.
TX License No. 97622
Date: August 26, 2010
Approved P.E. Seal (Civil/Structural)
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1.
GENERAL
El Paso Electric Company (Transmission Provider) has requested Burns & McDonnell
Engineering (Engineer) to provide a total cost estimate for the Transmission Provider’s
substation addition for the connection of the proposed Interconnection Customer’s
XXXXXXXXXXXX Wind Project to Transmission Provider’s Electric Transmission
System. The Interconnection Customer proposes to connect an ultimate 99.8 MW of
electric power to Transmission Provider’s electric transmission system.
The Point of Interconnection (POI) will be located at the Transmission Provider’s new
XXXXXXXXXXXX 345 kV Switching Station located along the Springerville-Luna 345 kV
Transmission Line. Per the attached preliminary one line diagram (XX_OOL), the POI
has been designated to be the point at which the Interconnection Customer’s Electrical
Facilities connects to the Transmission Provider’s 345 kV bus.
The following tasks and associated costs are not included in this Facility Study and shall
be the responsibility of the Interconnection Customer:
2.

Land Acquisition and Surveying.

Design and installation of the new 345-35 kV substation to be located
immediately adjacent to XXXXXXXXXXXX Switching Station as well as the
transmission line from the Interconnection Customer’s Generation Station to the
line terminal at the POI.
FOREWORD
This estimate has been prepared with +/- 15% accuracy as requested by the
Transmission Provider. A 10% contingency has been added to the estimate which is to
be applied before any adder is considered. All assumptions are clearly defined within
this document and should be duly noted. Due to market conditions, costs (material and
labor) have been increasing. The equipment and labor costs included in this document
reflect budgetary quotes received from prospective construction contractors. These are
the most up-to-date costs to the Engineer’s knowledge, but are subject to change based
on market conditions. Due to market conditions, prices of both copper and construction
labor have been fluctuating.
3.
DISCLAIMER
Estimates, forecasts, projections, and schedules relating to costs, quantities, demand
pricing (including but not limited to, property costs, construction, operation or
maintenance costs, and/or energy or commodity demand and pricing), are opinions
based on the Engineer’s experience, qualifications and judgment. The Engineer has no
control over the weather, cost and availability of labor, materials and equipment, labor
productivity, energy or commodity pricing, demand or usage, population demographics,
market conditions, change in technology, and other economic or political factors
effecting such estimates or projections. The Transmission Provider acknowledges that
actual results may vary significantly from the representations and opinions herein.
Nothing herein will be construed as a guarantee or warranty (actual or implied) that
rates, demand, pricing, costs, performance schedules, quantities, technology, or any
other related items will not vary from the opinions contained in the report prepared by the
Engineer.
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All costs included in this estimate are subject to change if the final design of the
switching station changes from that shown on the preliminary prints.
In using the term “Network Upgrades” in this report, it is assumed that all facilities at or
beyond the Point of Interconnection are Network Upgrades. The Engineer has not
evaluated and has formed no opinion on whether the facilities described as Network
Upgrades are integrated with and support EPE’s overall transmission system for the
general benefit of all users.
4.
SCOPE OF WORK
Install a new 345 kV Switching Station by tapping the existing Springerville-Luna 345 kV
transmission line in the Luna County XXXXXXXXXXX Area just west of Hwy 26 in New
Mexico.
Transmission – Springerville to Luna 345 kV Line Tap
The new substation will require the 345 kV Springerville-Luna Line to turn into the new
substation in an ‘in-and-out’ configuration.
The proposed transmission towers shall be self supporting structures. The structures
shall be capable of supporting 3 phases of 2-bundled 954 kcmil ACSR “Cardinal”
conductor. The foundations for the dead-end structures shall be drilled shaft concrete
foundations with steel reinforcement.
Replace one (1) of the existing transmission shield wires (static position), between Luna
and the new XXXX station, with OPGW.
Geotechnical information is not available, so foundation sizes and costs were estimated
based on data from other projects previously performed in the area.
Transmission Engineering Assumptions






The location of the new XXXXXXXXXXXX Switching Station shall be underneath the
existing 345 kV Springerville-Luna transmission line ROW.
Two (2) dead-end structures will be required to terminate the line adjacent to the new
XXXXXXXXXXXX Switching Station and no existing structure modifications are
required.
The conductors shall be in a horizontal bundle configuration and will require spacers
and dampers.
All hardware assemblies shall use polymer insulators.
The dead-end assemblies shall use compression fittings.
The static wire replacement on the XXXX to Luna line will be performed while the
transmission line remains in service (hot).
o The existing structures can accommodate the OPGW.
o No structural changes are required for the existing transmission structures.
Station – XXXXXXXXXXXX 345kV Switching Station
The new XXXXXXXXXXXX Switching Station will consist of the following:

One (1) three-position ring bus.
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o
One (1) position is used for the transmission line to Tucson Electric’s existing
Springerville Substation. This position is also equipped with one (1) new 345 kV,
54 MVAR shunt reactor.
- One of the two existing reactors located at Luna Substation may also be
relocated to this position if necessary.
o
One (1) position is used for the transmission line to the Transmission Provider’s
existing Luna Substation.
o
One (1) position is designated for the connection of Interconnection Customer’s
Wind Generation Collection Station.

Control building with the necessary power, relaying and communication equipment.

One (1) lot of 345 kV Revenue Metering equipment to installed on the 345 kV line to
the Interconnection Customer’s adjacent Collector Substation. Metering equipment
includes PT/CT combo units, foundations and support structures for the PT/CT units,
Metering Panel, cables, etc. Costs for these and other materials are covered in
Table 2 below.
Site Survey
The engineer will secure the services from a Transmission Provider-approved Survey
company to perform a site and access road survey. Survey data will be used in grading
design, soil cut-and-fill calculations and transmission structure positioning.
Geotechnical Field Investigations and Engineering
The Engineer will secure services from a Transmission Provider-approved Geotechnical
Firm to perform field investigations. Geotechnical investigations and engineering
calculations will be performed to establish the design basis for foundation and electrical
grounding design.
Site Preparation, Grading and Drainage Design
The proposed XXXXXXXXXXXX Switching Station location will require the installation of
an approximately 3500 foot gravel driveway to provide all weather access from Hwy 26
to the site. No costs associated with right of way or land purchases for the access road
have been included. The proposed 20 foot wide access drive will consist of 8 inch thick
well-graded crushed stone.
The estimated 18,330 square yard substation will require a gravel surface assumed to
consist of 3 inch thick gap-graded aggregate with a base of 4 inch thick well-graded
crushed gravel ¾ inch in size.
The station site is assumed to be crowned in the center to drain across the surface of
the site outward. Because of the remote location of the station site, a detention pond is
not envisaged. Drainage structures may include driveway culverts, rip-rap rocks, or
grate inlets with outlet pipes if necessary.
A three (3) strand barbed-wire fence will be constructed around the perimeter of the
property with an 8-foot chain link fence constructed around the perimeter of the station
site.
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Civil/Structural Design
Engineer shall design the required foundations as shown on the layout drawing and
according to Transmission Provider’s or Engineer’s specifications. Refer to the
substation major materials list and preliminary design drawings for the various
foundations to be installed on this project.
Engineer shall perform the studies necessary to assure that the bus system is
adequately supported by the structures, fittings, and insulators selected when placed
under the site specific environmental and short circuit fault forces.
Note. Custom structures will be designed by the Engineer as required however the
Engineer assumes that all structures installed will be per Transmission Provider’s
Standards and current practices. The requirement of customized structures will translate
to additional project costs which are not covered herein.
Electrical Design
Engineer shall design the station per Transmission Provider’s Standards. The following
are general tasks required to complete the electrical design:

Install the electrical facility and equipment as indicated on the preliminary design
drawings. Install the required insulation, conductors and fittings to inter-connect new
equipment in the substation.

Install a new station ground grid to adequately protect personnel and also the
Transmission Provider’s electrical infrastructure. Engineer will perform grounding
calculations to verify that the new grid layout provides adequate personnel and
equipment protection. Grounding installation shall be per Transmission Provider’s
standard practices. The station ground grid shall extend to the substation fence and
exceed it by five feet.

Install lightning protection (shielding) to adequately protect the new equipment.
Perform the necessary calculations to design and verify the adequacy of the lightning
protection. Install lightning masts as required. Install static wire between structures
as needed. Lightning masts and line terminals will be fitted with 15’ lightning spires
on top (of each leg).
Protection and Control Design
The protection and control design shall follow Transmission Provider’s Standards. The
design is intended to provide a means of local and remote control of the equipment and
electrical system (by means of switching) by the Transmission Provider. It is also
intended to fulfill the purposes of protecting human life, protect electrical infrastructure
under abnormal system conditions and minimize system outages and disturbances. The
following are general tasks required to complete the protection and control design:

Install a new control house which will be used to store all control and communication
equipment, batteries and associated DC system equipment (located in a separated
area of the house), and personnel safety equipment, etc.

Install two (2) new Transmission Provider’s Standard Line Protection Racks for the
345 kV transmission positions at this new station. Relay communication for the
transmission lines to Springerville and Luna Substation shall be over fiber-optic
conductors. A direct fiber-optic link between XXXX and Luna substation shall be
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installed. Communication between XXXX and Springerville shall be accomplished
via the Transmission Provider’s communication network. Communication between
the XXXX station and the Interconnection Customer’s adjacent substation will be by
means of buried fiber optic conductors.

Install one (1) new Transformer High-side Bus Protection Rack to protect the 345 kV
position reserved for XXXX step-up transformer.

Install revenue metering panel for the 345 kV line position designated for
Interconnection Customer’s Wind Generation Facilities. This panel will be connected
to the PT/CT units installed at the XXXX line position in the yard.

Install a Digital Fault Recorder (DFR).

Install a new Communication Rack. Install relay serial communications as needed to
connect the new relays to the communication rack.

Install one (1) new shunt reactor rack for protection and control of the new shunt
reactor and breaker.

Provide relay settings for all new relays.

Install SCADA control, monitoring and indication per Transmission Provider’s
standard practice.

Install a new AC/DC Station Power system. Primary (normal) station power shall be
provided by the Transmission Provider’s 12 kV local distribution line located close to
the proposed POI location. This will require extension of the existing distribution line.
Costs associated with this work are included in the estimate. Backup (emergency)
station service power shall be sourced from the low voltage side of the
Interconnection Customer’s step-up transformer in the adjacent Interconnection
Customer substation. The backup SSVT will be located in EPE’s yard (along with
the primary SSVT) and will be connected to Interconnection Customer’s transformer
34.5 kV bus via underground 34.5 kV power cable. An automatic transfer switch
shall be installed between the two station service power sources.

Connect the new equipment, racks and yard lights to the new AC/DC station service
systems as needed.

Install a raceway system from the control house to the field equipment. The raceway
system will be comprised of cable trench (as specified) and 3” PVC conduit installed
per Transmission Provider’s current practices.

Install the necessary shielded control and power cable to connect the field equipment
to the control house equipment.

Install floodlight assemblies in order to provide adequate lighting for the substation
equipment. Lights will be installed at lightning masts and line terminal structures.
6|Page
Table 1 – Network Upgrade – Material Costs1,2
XXXXXXXXXXXX Switching Station
Unit
Est.
Qty.
Lead
Time
(Weeks
ARO)
345kV, 54 MVAR, 3-P, Reactor
EA
1
60-64
345kV, 2000 A, GCB
EA
4
345kV, 2000 A, Disc Sw.
EA
345kV Surge Arresters
EA
Equipment Description
345kV CCVT
Structural Steel
Unit Cost ($)
3
Total Cost ($)
1,500,000
1,500,000
26
200,000
800,000
9
14-16
30,000
270,000
9
6-10
4,100
36,900
EA
6
4
8-10
13,000
78,000
LOT
1
24-26
507,300
507,300
5
Other Elect/Site Materials
LOT
1
2,145,800
2,145,800
Station Materials (Sub-Total)
5,338,000
Springerville-Luna 345kV Transmission Line Tap
Dead-end Structures
EA
2
20-26
51,000
102,000
Dead-end Assemblies
EA
12
14-16
1,160
13,920
954 kcmil ACSR "Rail"
FT
14,500
12-14
1.90
27,550
7-#8 Alumoweld
FT
2,500
12-14
0.45
1,125
6
Luna-XXXX Fiber Installation
LOT
1
367,000
367,000
Other XMS Materials
LOT
1
198,405
198,405
Transmission Materials (Sub-Total)
710,000
Total Major Costs - Network Upgrades
6,048,000
Table Notes
1. This table is included to show major substation equipment lead times and associated costs
only.
2. No installation (labor) costs are included in this table. Labor costs are included in the cost
summary unless otherwise noted.
3. Budgetary cost with +/- 25% accuracy.
4. Number of weeks after drawing approval.
5. Other Elect/Site Material cost include estimated pricing for site preparation, foundations,
grounding, bus work, fittings and connectors, control house, raceway, station service minor
equipment, DC system, protective relay racks, SCADA racks, communication equipment, etc
associated with Network Upgrades. These materials generally have shorter procurement lead
times.
6. Cost Data provided by Transmission Provider (EPE).
Table 2 – EPE Interconnection Facilities – Material Costs1,2
XXXXXXXXXXXX Switching Station
Unit
Est.
Qty.
Lead
Time
(Weeks
ARO)
345kV, 2000 A, Vertical Break Sw.
EA
1
345kV Surge Arresters
EA
345kV CT/PT Combo Unit
EA
Equipment Description
Unit Cost ($)
Total Cost ($)
14-16
30,000
30,000
3
6-10
4,100
12,300
3
38
70,000
210,000
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Structural Steel
LOT
1
24-26
123,000
123,000
3
Other Elect Materials
LOT
1
148,700
148,700
Total Material Costs - EPE Interconnection Upgrades
524,000
Table Notes
1. This table is included to show major substation equipment lead times and associated costs
only.
2. No installation (labor) costs are included in this table. Labor costs are included in the cost
summary unless otherwise noted.
3. Other Elect Material cost include estimated pricing for foundations, grounding, bus work,
fittings and connectors, protective relay racks, revenue metering system (PT/CT units, Metering
Panel and associated equipment), etc associated with EPE Interconnection Upgrades. These
materials generally have shorter procurement lead times.
Project Schedule
See Attachment No. 1
5.
COST SUMMARIES
The estimated project transmission and station costs are outlined below. Station Costs
are broken down into Network Upgrade Costs and EPE Interconnection Facilities Costs
as shown below.
Table 3 – Network Upgrade - Installation Costs1,2
Project Task
Cost ($)
2,205,000
Station Labor
5,338,000
Station Material
550,000
Station Construction Management
600,000
Station Engineering Costs
8,693,000
Station Installation Cost (Sub-Total)
10
Transmission Labor
1,548,400
Transmission Material
710,000
Transmission Construction Management
160,000
Transmission Engineering Costs
105,000
Transmission Installation Cost (Sub-Total)
2,523,400
Total Network Upgrade Costs
11,216,400
Contingency @ 10%
1,121,640
Total Network Upgrade Costs w/Contingency
12,338,040
Table Notes
1. Station Labor and material costs include Site Preparation costs.
2. Station Construction Management cost includes supervision and management
of the construction process.
3. Station Engineering costs are budgetary. Final engineering costs will be
provided when an RFP is issued to Engineer.
4. Total Transmission Material Cost includes all material required to construction
transmission line including, steel, hardware, conductor, dampers, spacers and
other miscellaneous material.
8|Page
5. Total Transmission Labor Cost includes all labor required to construction
transmission line including erection, foundations, stringing, right-of-way
preparation, construction incidentals and grounding.
6. The Transmission Engineering Line Item includes costs associated with
transmission line design, owner’s overhead engineering costs, survey,
geotechnical investigations, construction support, environmental evaluations and
permit applications.
7. Transmission Construction Management Costs include costs associated with
procurement, bidding, construction supervision and management of the
construction process.
8. Transmission Right-of-way acquisition and land management costs are not
included in the Total Installed Cost.
9. The transmission line schedule shall follow the XXXX Switching Station
schedule in Attachment 1.
10. Transmission Labor Cost include the costs to extend the local distribution to
the XXXX substation site.
Table 4 – EPE Interconnection Facilities – Installation Costs
Project Task
Total Labor
Total Material
Construction Management
Engineering Costs
Total Interconnection Facilities Cost
Contingency @ 10%
Total Interconnection Facilities Cost w/Contingency
6.
Cost ($)
140,000
524,000
664,000
66,400
730,400
CONCLUSIONS
Project Schedule – Transmission
The required transmission line structural steel lead time (24-26 weeks) will have similar
impact as power circuit breakers (26 weeks) on the project schedule. Since there are
longer lead time items in the substation schedule, the transmission work is not expected
to negatively impact the project schedule.
Project Schedule – Switching Station
The project schedule shows that energizing the XXXX Interconnecting Switching station
without the shunt reactor is estimated to be completed by August 24, 2011. Upon
energization of the switchyard, back-feed to the Interconnection Customer’s Facilities
can occur. The Commercial Operation date of the Interconnection Customer’s
Generating Facility will depend on the timeframe required by the Interconnection
Customer to synchronize, connect and run test operations once back-feed power is
available. The energization (in-service) date for the new shunt reactor is estimated to be
December 12, 2011 (see Attachment No. 1).
The XXXX Interconnecting Switchyard Schedule is based on starting the
activities no later than August 13, 2010 and the procurement of the long
engineering
9|Page
lead time items no later than August 23, 2010. We recognize that at the time of this
report, the procurement of long lead items has not yet occurred and is awaiting
finalization of an agreement between EPE and the Interconnection Customer to govern
such activities and the associated tender of letter(s) of credit. In addition we understand
that issues associated with the land rights for the property upon which the
XXXXXXXXXXXX Switching Station will sit are not completely resolved at this time.
Based on the attached schedule, construction of the XXXXXXXXXXXX Switching Station
would be completed and energized (in-service) by August 24, 2011 (without the shunt
reactor) and the new line shunt reactor would be energized (in-service) by December 12,
2011. The energization (in-service) date for the relocated Luna line shunt reactor (if
required) will be determined at a later date.
The proposed schedule is contingent on EPE obtaining the required line clearances for
the project as well as the Interconnection Customer and EPE resolving any remaining
land rights issues. The Interconnection Customer shall provide to EPE (at no additional
expense to EPE) any additional land rights required for construction and/or operation of
the facilities, in the form of a lease or fee simple purchase for such parcel of land as EPE
has identified for the purpose of constructing the interconnecting switchyard for the
XXXXXXXXXXXX Wind Project, based upon final dimensions and location of the
switchyard. EPE shall provide the location and specifications of the parcel as well as the
form of real estate instrument, to the Interconnecting Customer, and the Interconnection
Customer shall have ten (10) Business Days thereafter to provide the site in a form
reasonably accepted by EPE: provided, however, that the ten (10) Business Day period
shall not apply if additional land rights are required from the state as opposed to a
private landowner, but the schedule may be adversely affected.
The Transmission Provider will work on improving the shunt reactor delivery date (lead
time) during the procurement phase. In order to meet the proposed energization (inservice) dates shown above, the Transmission Provider and Interconnection Customer
must finalize the site location and provide right of entry for collecting soil samples and
survey by August 30, 2010 to support the attached schedule.
Overall Project Cost
The overall estimated project cost for the installation of XXXXXXXXXXXX 345 kV
Switching Station is $13,068,440 which includes 10% contingency.
7.
LIST OF ATTACHMENTS
Documents
Attachment No. 1 – XXWP Interconnecting Switchyard Schedule
Substation Preliminary Design Drawings
XXXXXXXXXXXX Switching Station – Operation One-Line Diagram
XXXXXXXXXXXX Switching Station – General Location Plan
XX_OOL
XX_GLP
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