Underground and Overhead Transmission Lines

Fact Sheet
This fact sheet summarizes several of the major differences between underground and overhead transmission lines. The information was drawn from a number of sources, including major studies completed in different parts of the world by parties interested in determining the viability of underground transmission cables to meet specific electricity needs. This information does not present a position for or against their use in the context of the Heartland or any other transmission project.

Factors that can influence the selection of underground cables

Four main factors normally influence the decision on whether underground cables are considered as an alternative to meet the required electricity need for a project. These factors are: Technical feasibility; Reliability of service; Environment; and Overall cost. In some circumstances, location specific constraints may also play a role in the decision to use underground cables.

Underground feasibility study being conducted by the Alberta Electric System Operator
The Alberta Electric System Operator (AESOs) is currently conducting a study to assess the technical feasibility and cost of using high voltage 500 kV Alternating Current (AC) underground cables for the Heartland Transmission Project. In particular the AESOs study will look at the feasibility of deploying up to an 8 10 kilometre section of AC underground cables as one component of a larger AC overhead project. The AESOs study will focus on AC underground. Work completed during the AESOs project alternative analysis determined that Direct Current (DC) underground was not an acceptable alternative for the Heartland Project. Factors effecting this decision included: reduced operational reliability (risk of long outage durations); future reduced flexibility (higher incremental cost to increase capacity) ; and higher cost (higher initial installation and ongoing power losses associated with the conversion of AC to DC). For more information regarding the AESOs summary report of its analysis of the various alternatives, titled Albertas Industrial Heartland Bulk Transmission Development, visit their web site at www.AESO.ca. The AESOs study of the feasibility of AC underground cables is expected to be completed by late summer.

Technical feasibility
Technical feasibility refers to factors regarding the maturity of the technology, and whether it can be integrated into an existing transmission system and operated dependably. Technical feasibility for 500 kV underground cables is difficult to determine as there are currently very few other underground 500 kV cables in service in the world and only one with an underground line length greater than five kilometres that we were aware of at time of printing. The AESOs study will include an examination of the technical feasibility of deploying up to an 8 10 kilometre section of 500 kV AC underground cables as one component of a larger AC overhead project.

Reliability of service
Reliability of service refers to the amount of time a transmission line is available to transport electricity. Underground cables are much less susceptible to weather-related outages. However, longer repair times for underground cables result in a significant difference in overall reliability performance. Reliability of service for 500 kV underground cables is difficult to determine as there are currently very few other underground 500 kV cables in service in the world. However, information published by the European Commission for 400 kV overhead lines shows outage statistics of 0.126 hours per kilometre per year for overhead lines compared to 6.4 hours per kilometre per year for comparable underground cables. Using these statistics, assuming a 100-kilometre 400 kV transmission line, the average time where the overhead lines would be out of service is 12.6 hours per year compared to almost 27 days per year for underground cables. These outage statistics take into account both scheduled maintenance outages and unplanned outages.

Alternating Current (AC): an electric current that reverses its direction at regularly recurring intervals. In North America, the standard for alternating current is 60 complete cycles each second. Such electricity is said to have a frequency of 60 hertz. Direct Current (DC): An electric current flowing in one direction only and substantially constant in value. The current supplied from a battery is direct current.

Information available as of May 1, 2009

Environment
Underground cables eliminate the potential for bird contacts (which could cause injury or death to the birds) that overhead lines present. Underground cables also largely eliminate the visual impact of the transmission facilities on the landscape. Underground facilities present some environmental impacts, including underground vaults, localized heating of the soil and alterations in ground and surface water drainage patterns. The construction process for underground installation requires soil stripping, continuous trenching and underground vaults every several hundred metres. The underground vaults can be 10 metres long by four metres wide. After construction is complete, the heat produced by energized cables dissipates into the surrounding soil and may result in localized impacts on vegetation. Drainage may need to be altered temporarily or permanently depending on the construction of underground cable trenches. Overhead lines span across long distances with approximately 350 metres between tower locations. This leaves the ground and subsurface virtually untouched, with the exception of tower locations, after construction is complete. Overhead lines have minimal impacts on most environmental features including natural heritage (plants and animals), riparian (rivers, streams), cultural heritage (archaeological) and paleontological features, but do have some environmental impacts. Depending on the location, some tree and vegetation management may be required in the area surrounding the transmission line. Tree and vegetation management includes the use of mechanical, chemical and other techniques to encourage the growth of low vegetation to reduce the risk of a fire or outage caused by branches or tree limbs contacting transmission lines.

one with an underground line length greater than five kilometres that we were aware of at time of printing to use as a comparison. However, available information related to 400 kV underground facilities indicate that costs are normally between four and 20 times higher than equivalent overhead options. For example, if the cost of an underground line is 10 times more expensive, then the cost of a 50 kilometre 500 kV underground line would be approximately $1.5 billion in comparison to $150 million for an overhead line. Using the same assumptions, if the line were to be underground for 10 kilometres and then overhead for the remaining 40 kilometres the cost of the transmission line itself would increase from $150 million for an entirely above-ground line to $420 million. As to the cost of operating high voltage underground cable, available information related to 400 kV installations indicates that life cycle operating costs are 1.5 to 2.5 times higher than overhead lines. This is due to the higher maintenance costs and higher line losses. In Alberta, for every $100 million added to a transmission projects cost, the average monthly bill for each resident in Alberta would increase by approximately 13 cents. An underground 50 kilometre line would add approximately $2 per month to every residential electricity bill in Alberta. A ten kilometre section of underground would add approximately $0.35 per month to every residential bill in Alberta.

Electric and magnetic fields

Electric and magnetic fields are everywhere there is electricity. Electric fields can be shielded by such things as insulation, trees, building walls, and vehicles. Underground cables and their accompanying insulation and shielding effectively stop electric fields. As overhead power lines are bare wires, electric fields can be measured near these lines. Magnetic fields cannot be shielded by insulation, cement or earth and will be measurable at both underground and overhead installations. The ability to tightly space underground cables may allow for greater cancellation of magnetic fields by the cables themselves when compared to overhead lines. However, given their closer proximity to ground level, the measured magnetic field above underground cables is typically similar or stronger than at ground level directly below overhead lines. Field levels for underground cables decrease more quickly compared to overhead lines as you move further away from them.

Overall cost
The cost of any technical solution is a consideration for Albertans because the construction and operation of transmission facilities is paid for by all Alberta ratepayers through their electricity bills. The cost to build, install and operate underground cables is greater than overhead cables. This is due to the higher cost of materials (more underground cables are required to carry the same amount of power as one overhead line), the more labour and time intensive construction process and the higher cost of maintaining underground facilities and higher line losses associated with underground cables operated at certain load levels. For the Heartland Project, preliminary estimates suggest that a 500 kV AC overhead line could cost approximately $3.0 million per kilometre to construct, not including the cost of substations. Costs for 500 kV underground cables are more difficult to estimate as there are currently very few other underground 500 kV cables in service in the world and only

For information on the proposed Heartland Transmission Project:

Call Toll-Free: 1-888-441-7192 E-mail: PublicConsultation@heartlandtransmission.ca Visit: www.heartlandtransmission.ca

Information available as of May 1, 2009