Power Collection System. The Project’s electrical system will consist of: (1) a power collection system, which will collect energy generated by each wind turbine, increase voltage through a pad-mounted transformer, and deliver it via electric cables to (2) the Project substations, where transformers will further increase the voltage of energy so that it can be transmitted via a high-voltage transmission line that will deliver power from the project substation to BPA. Each wind turbine will generate power at approximately 690 volts (voltage could vary, depending on the turbine model ultimately selected for the Project). A transformer next to each tower will increase the voltage to 34.5 kV. From the transformer, power will be transmitted via electric cables. The cables will be buried, 3 or more feet below the ground surface, in a trench up to 3 feet wide. In areas where collector cables from several strings of turbines follow the same alignment (for example, near the Project July 2007 Page B-3 substation), multiple sets of cables could be installed in parallel trenches up to 50 feet wide. There will be approximately 62 miles of underground electric cable corridor. In some locations, the collector lines may be constructed aboveground, on pole or tower structures. Aboveground structures allow the collector cables to span terrain such as canyons, native grasslands, wetlands, and intermittent streams, thus reducing environmental impacts, where multiple collection circuits run in parallel, or to span cultivated areas, thus reducing impacts to farming. If used, overhead structures will generally be about 35 feet tall.
Power Collection System. The Project’s electrical system will consist of: (1) a power collection system, which will collect energy generated by each wind turbine, increase voltage through a pad-mounted transformer, and deliver it via electric cables to (2) the Project substations, where transformers will further increase the voltage of energy so that it can be transmitted via a high-voltage transmission line that will deliver power from the project substation to BPA. Each wind turbine will generate power at approximately 690 volts (voltage could vary, depending on the turbine model ultimately selected for the Project). A transformer next to each tower will increase the voltage to 34.5 kV. From the transformer, power will be transmitted via electric cables. The cables will be buried, 3 or more feet below the ground surface, in a trench up to 3 feet wide. In areas where collector cables from several strings of turbines follow the same alignment (for example, near the Project Golden Hills Wind Farm—Exhibit B substation), multiple sets of cables could be installed in parallel trenches up to 50 feet wide. There will be approximately 62 miles of underground electric cable corridor. In some locations, the collector lines may be constructed aboveground, on pole or tower structures. Aboveground structures allow the collector cables to span terrain such as canyons, native grasslands, wetlands, and intermittent streams, thus reducing environmental impacts, where multiple collection circuits run in parallel, or to span cultivated areas, thus reducing impacts to farming. If used, overhead structures will generally be about 35 feet tall.
