The PJM Board of Managers approved the latest updates to PJM’s Regional Transmission Expansion Plan, or RTEP, on Feb. 16, 2022.
PJM’s RTEP process helps to ensure the reliability of the power grid for 65 million people. The approved RTEP updates change one project’s cost and scope, cancel one project, approve 11 baseline reliability projects and one baseline market efficiency project aimed to relieve unforeseen market outcomes in the Dominion transmission zone. Full details (PDF) of the projects are posted on PJM.com.
Reliability Projects
Baseline reliability projects costing more than $10 million are listed below:
- Construct a new, elevated Allen 46 kV station and relocate segments of connecting lines to mitigate flooding concerns on the Allen-Stanville path in the AEP transmission zone.
- Construct a new 138 kV Tin Branch single bus station with enhancements that include upgraded and new lines to support the retirement of the existing Dehue station in the AEP transmission zone.
- Rebuild and replace 1960s-vintage wood structures on the 14 mile Prestonburg-Thelma 46 kV line and retire the Jenny Wiley 46 kV switching station in the AEP transmission zone.
- Reconductor segments on the Messick Road-Ridgeley 138 kV line in the Allegheny Power Systems (FirstEnergy) transmission zone.
- Rebuild a 13 mile section of 138 kV line between LaSalle and Mazon in the ComEd transmission zone.
- Build a new 115 kV switching station at Duncan Store on the Bremo-Columbia D.P. line in the Dominion transmission zone.
- Rebuild a 15 mile 115 kV segment between Bristers and Minnieville DeliveryPoint with supporting equipment to allow for future 230 kV capability of the 115 kV Sowego-Independent Hill segment in the Dominion transmission zone.
- Rebuild 27.7 miles of 500 kV line from Elmont to Chickahominy in the Dominion transmission zone.
- Address three areas in the Dominion transmission zone:
- In the Fredericksburg area, a line will be converted from 115 kV to 230 kV with related upgrades.
- In the Carson area, the project will rebuild 10.3 miles of the Carson-Locks 230 kV line and 5.4 miles of the Locks-Harrowgate 115 kV line with related upgrades.
- In the Hopewell area, the project will also reconductor two 2.9 mile 230 kV segments between Chesterfield and Hopewell with upgrades to substations.
- Reconductor 24.4 miles of 230 kV line between Remington CT-Elk Run-Gainesville in the Dominion transmission zone.
- Install a series reactor on the Charlottesville-Profitt D.P. 230 kV line in the Dominion transmission zone.
Operational Performance – Dominion Transmission Zone
The Dominion transmission zone baseline operational performance project approved by the PJM Board will resolve significant thermal overloads requiring emergency procedures related to a current construction outage on the Lanexa-Northern Neck 230 kV line. Targeted for completion in late spring, this project will eliminate the need to implement a switching procedure that puts load at risk to manage the constraint.
Improvements will take place in the Harmony Village/White Stone areas in the Dominion transmission zone. This immediate-need project will reconductor .57 miles of 115 kV line between Harmony Village and Greys Point as well as .97 miles of the Rappahannock-White Stone 115 kV line.
Project Changes
The PJM Board also approved the cancellation of the construction of a greenfield 0.3 mile 138 kV double circuit line tapping the Beaver-Black River segment in the Amherst area of the ATSI transmission zone.
The PJM Board approved a change in scope and cost of a project to install and upgrade double circuit structures and related equipment to connect the 500 kV and 230 kV Possum Point substations in the Dominion transmission zone.
RTEP analysis identifies system violations to reliability criteria and standards, determines the potential to improve the market efficiency and operational performance of the system, and incorporates any public policy requirements. PJM then develops transmission system enhancements to be integrated into a regional solution set and reviews them with stakeholders through the Transmission Expansion Advisory Committee (TEAC) before submitting its recommendation to the Board. Baseline reliability transmission enhancement costs are allocated to PJM load. Details of all approved projects are contained in the Transmission Expansion Advisory Committee recommendations (PDF) to the PJM Board. Follow all projects through the process with PJM’s Project Status & Cost Allocation tool.
