Background
When an energy company was developing wind farm in the Western Electricity Coordinating Council (WECC) region, the team turned to EPE to complete the interconnection application. The project needed to connect to the Tri-State Generation & Transmission (TSGT) system via a 354 kV transmission line to link two high-voltage bus points. EPE provided detailed engineering support, which included completing the interconnection application, preparing technical documents, and ensuring compliance with application requirements.
Challenge
Interconnecting a large-scale wind farm to the grid presents significant technical and regulatory challenges, especially in regions like WECC, which has strict grid compliance standards. The interconnection request process requires precise technical modeling, detailed documentation, and coordination with the interconnection team — usually all under tight timelines.
With its experience and expertise in interconnection applications, load flow studies, and regulatory compliance, EPE was well-versed in overcoming these hurdles.
Approach
The EPE team started by evaluating the project’s technical needs and grid compliance requirements. They developed electrical models for the wind farm so that Tri-State can perform reliably on the grid, using bad flow studies, using fault analysis, and dynamic simulations to see how it would operate under different conditions.
EPE also handled all the technical documentation for the interconnection application. They created diagrams showing the connections between turbines, substations, and transmission lines. In addition, they designed the system to deliver power from the turbines to the substation and put in place measures to prevent overloads. EPE maintained clear communication with the client and the grid operator throughout the process, proactively addressing technical challenges and providing ongoing timing and budgetary updates.
Outcome
With EPE’s expert guidance, the client successfully submitted the 350 MW Interconnection Application to TSGT in order to be assigned a queue number. EPE’s involvement ensured the wind farm would operate smoothly and reliably once connected to the grid.
EPE’s deep knowledge of grid integration and regulatory standards not only ensured project success but also helped the client avoid costly delays and technical setbacks.
This partnership underscores the importance of working with a skilled engineering team like EPE, especially when navigating the complexities of renewable energy projects and interconnection processes.
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