Basin Electric.
Project overview.
Technology.
After a competitive solicitation, Basin Electric selected TS Altar M3 9.5 (1493 kcmil) conductor for this project.
Challenges.
The project team needed to balance immediate capacity needs with future requirements while optimizing structure design and quantity. They also had to contend with early winter storms that caused a two-month delay in the project timeline.
Key outcomes.
Basin Electric used standard installation methods with traditional two-die dead ends and mid-span splices. TS Conductor's patented aluminum encapsulation design allowed for installation identical to ACSR, eliminating the need for specialized training or tools.
Increased ampacity from 1270A to 2240A (76% increase)
Reduced structure height and quantity by 15% (from 183 to 155), offsetting modest conductor price premium.
A smaller TS conductor size could have resulted in even greater savings, but the project team opted for increased capacity for future RTO requirements, essentially future-proofing the line.
Improved line clearance safety and reduced galloping, enhancing reliability and performance
More details.
Engineer Interview
Conductor Comparison
Engineering Analysis
Basin Electric Press Release