Alvance’s hydro facility generates 64 MW on average so SSEN Transmission is a net importer of power over the course of a year. Over the years a number of investments had already been made to improve technology in both the power station and the smelter as well as extending the hydro scheme at the Spey dam. Because of the economic importance of the expanding smelter business which was to begin producing engineered aluminum products and not just commodity aluminum, pressure to complete the project quickly was also recognized. A design challenge was to meet 6.7 metres of minimum clearance in all areas during maximum operation. The 44 km double circuit Fort Augustus to Fort William 132 kV line was originally built in 1955 using Lynx size ACSR conductor with Horse size ACSR earth wire. The location of the line, which runs along highways, crosses public roads, railway lines and the Caledonian Canal, following steep terrain throughout its route, added to the challenges that the team needed to be creative to overcome.
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The project team needed to determine the best way to upgrade the line while minimizing the impact to the local communities surrounding it. SSEN Transmission’s Safety Culture insures that “if it’s not safe we won’t do it.”, so despite the many challenges that this project had, safety remained our top priority, the project finished with more than 700 consecutive days on site without a lost time injury. Using the high-capacity, low-sag ACCC® Conductor allowed SSEN to reuse 97% of the existing structures. Building a new line was not possible given the urgency. The existing capacity of the line was 89 MVA this needed to be increased to 198 MVA. This line connects the town of Fort William with the Lochaber Smelter which needed to increase its hydro generation export capability. One recent project example is SSEN Transmission’s Fort Augustus to Fort William 132 kV OHL ACCC reconductor project. This project example demonstrates how SSEN Transmission is using modern technology to extend the asset life of its existing tower fleet and future proof the network using the existing towers and modern conductors. Replacement (or “rebuilding”) would likely be expensive, contentious and time consuming. These towers came with both historical ground clearance and under capacity issues. Many of the 132 kV Network towers in the UK were constructed in the 1950’s & 60’s. SSEN Transmission is responsible for the planning, design, construction, and maintenance of a network which currently comprises 146 Grid Substations, 5165 km of circuits and 14,994 towers and structures. SSEN Transmission’s operating region covers a quarter of the UK landmass.
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Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks (SSEN) Transmission, operating under license as Scottish Hydro Electric Transmission Plc, owns the electricity transmission network in the north of Scotland.