Central California Clean Energy Transmission Project

TSS Meeting #146Seattle, WA

August 15-17, 2007

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Approach to Transmission Development

• Encourage resources to connect to areas where transmission capacity is available

• Focus on multi-purpose projects• Use existing R/W before developing new R/W• Focus on implementing smaller transmission projects

that can be placed in service quickly• Develop larger transmission projects • Maintain flexibility in developing transmission plans to

deliver maximum benefits to customers in an environmentally responsible manner

• Develop a California Sub-regional Transmission Plan through regional and sub-regional collaboration

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Possible Future Transmission Corridors in California

Wind

Geo

Geo

Geo

Geo

Geo

Geo

Wind

Solar

Solar

Wind

Wind

SolarWind-- Major Load Centers in California

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• Project Scope– Construct ~ 140 - 180 miles of new

500 kV Double Circuit Tower Line from Midway to a new Substation east of Fresno on new R/W

• Project Objective:– Facilitate efficient management of

renewables to meet CA 20% RPS Goal

– Increase Path 15 transfer capability by ~1,250 MW

– Increase transfer of base load & as available renewable resources from S CA to N CA

– Increase utilization of the Helms PSP to enhance the value of off-peak generation

– Increase reliability to Yosemite/Fresno area

– Reduce Fresno Area LCR• Expected Operation Date: Dec. 2012• Defers need for Gates-Gregg

indefinitely

Central California Clean Energy Transmission Project

Central California Clean Energy Transmission Project

To Southern California Edison

Company

Pacific Gas & Electric Company

Gregg

Panoche

Helms PSP

Gates

San Luis

Los Banos

Moss Landing

Morro Bay

Diablo Canyon

Midway

Bellota

Tesla

Kings River

McCall

Arco

PATH 15

PATH 26

New Sub E2

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Potential Routes

C3ET Project – East Route

To Southern California Edison

Company

Pacific Gas & Electric Company

Gregg

PanocheHelms PSP

Gates

San Luis

Los Banos

Moss Landing

Morro Bay

Diablo Canyon

Midway

Bellota

Tesla

Kings RiverMcCall

PATH 15

PATH 26

New Sub E2

C3ET Project – West Route

Arco

East Route:• ~140 miles• Runs along the foothills – less

impacts on farm lands, avoid urban areas

• Potential use of SCE access roads

• Lower probability of multiple 500 kV line outages than West Route

– No 500 kV line crossing

West Route:• ~180 miles• Crosses farm lands and urban

areas• Lower probability of multiple 500

kV line outages– Crosses Four existing 500 kV lines

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Project Description

• Expected Operation Date - December 2012:– Build a 500 kV double circuit tower line (about 140 – 180 miles

in length) with two 2,300 kcmil AAL conductors (bundled), with both circuits strung.

– Build a new 500 kV Substation (E2) with one 500/230 kV 1,120 MVA transformer bank,

– Loop the Helms – Gregg #1 and #2 230 kV lines into the E2 Substation,

– Build two 500 kV line terminations each at Midway and E2– Install additional voltage supports in the Fresno area. The

amount and location of the voltage support will be evaluated in a voltage stability study.

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Project Implementation Plan

Phase I:– Prepare PEA pursuant to the CEQA and the CPUC

permitting requirements.– Perform the necessary engineering and design work

required to prepare the PEA.– Coordinate WECC Regional Planning and Path Rating

Process with external interested parties.

Phase II:– File an application in December 2008 with the CPUC for a

CPCN.

Phase III:– Assuming the CPUC grants a CPCN by December 2009,

land acquisition and project construction would start immediately to achieve a December 2012 completion date.

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Potential Future Expansion

C3ET Project must be designed and sited to allow for rational, cost-effective future expansion of the 500 kV grid as required by future load growth and RPS procurement

• Expected Operation Date ~ 2020:– Install a second 500/230 kV 1,120 MVA transformer bank at E2– Install additional voltage supports in the Fresno area. The

amount and location of the voltage support will be evaluated in a voltage stability study.

• Other expansion possibilities:– Potential expansion north of E2 to San Francisco Bay Area and

Sacramental Valley– Potential expansion south of Midway to Southern California and

Desert SW

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• Potential projects south of Tesla -support – renewables in the southern portion of the

PG&E service territory– Renewables imported from the South– Load growth in Fresno and SF Bay Area

• Projects north of Tesla - support based on Option CA2 (other options possible)

– Renewables in the northern portion of the PG&E service territory

– Renewables imported from the NW and Canada at proposed Raven Substation

– Load growth in Sacramento Valley and SF Bay Area

Possible Long-Term Transmission Expansion

Path 66To NW and

Canada

LakeTahoe

MalinCaptain Jack

Gates

Los Banos

DiabloMidway

COTP

Tracy

Bonneville Power Administrative (BPA)

Sierra Pacific (SPP)

Southern California Edison (SCE)Vincent

Tesla

Metcalf

Moss Landing

Path 15

Also includes 4-230 kV lines terminated at Gates

Path 26

Helms

Gregg

Bellota

Tehachapi Area

Raven Sub

Table Mt.

140 mi

60 mi

40 mi 105 miles

Raven New Sub

125 mi

C3ET Project

Elverta

• Connection to Potential projects south of Midway - support– renewables in the southern CA

and Desert SW– Load growth in S CA and

seasonal exchange

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Questions?