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 Greater Springfield Reliability Project (GSRP)
Project to improve reliability, ease transmission bottlenecks
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The Greater Springfield Reliability Project is one of four major transmission projects that are part of the New England East-West Solution. Together, the four projects will strengthen the reliability of the power grid in New England - improving its efficiency and eliminating crippling and costly bottlenecks.
Overview
The Greater Springfield Reliability Project will provide businesses and residents in the Springfield area with more reliable access to competitively priced power.
The organization responsible for making sure there is a reliable flow of power available in Massachusetts and New England, ISO-New England (ISO-NE), has identified certain system problems in the Springfield area that must be addressed in order for the New England transmission network to meet regional and national reliability standards over the long term.
ISO-NE has also identified system problems in neighboring states and by means of a comprehensive planning process has identified four projects that work together to strengthen the power grid.
Project Need and Benefits
A strong transmission grid is vital to the region's safety, security and economic prosperity. Presently, the paths for power to move in Springfield area are limited. The Greater Springfield Reliability Project will create a "beltway" for power to move into and around the Springfield area. In this way, it will:
- Ensure reliability -- so the power's there when you need it.
- Help reduce energy costs, strengthening the area's economy.
This 345-kilovolt (kV) Greater Springfield Reliability Project works with three other 345-kV projects, including the Interstate Reliability Project and the Central Connecticut Reliability Project to improve the movement of electricity within New England.
The Regional Electric System
How Does It Work?
New England's power plants and transmission lines are interconnected to deliver electricity from power plants to customers across the region. Private companies sell power into a regional competitive electricity market while regulated companies like NU and National Grid own and operate the regional transmission system. Substations change the "bulk" electricity to a lower voltage to be distributed (on lower voltage lines) to homes, businesses and other users of electricity.
A strong 345-kV bulk power system ensures that power can be efficiently and economically moved longer distances from power sources, (including renewable sources), to where it's needed. See a diagram showing how the system works.
ISO-NE Planning Process
ISO New England is the independent, nonprofit Regional Transmission Organization (RTO) authorized by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) to operate New England’s bulk power system, administer the regional competitive wholesale electricity markets, and oversee a comprehensive regional system planning process.
In keeping with its system planning responsibilities, ISO New England led the system planning that eventually led to the identification of the Greater Springfield Reliability Project, the Interstate Reliability Project, the Rhode Island Reliability Project and the Central Connecticut Reliability Project.
To effectively carry out its charge, ISO New England’s Board of Directors and 400 employees have no financial interest or ties to any company doing business in the region's wholesale electricity marketplace.
Costs
The preliminary cost estimate for this project is $714 million. The final cost has not been determined because the project is in the early design stage and has not yet been through the state siting process. Changes to the design may occur during the siting process. Once the siting process is complete, the design will be finalized and the cost re-estimated.
Regulatory agencies ensure that electric utilities act in the public interest to keep rates as low as possible for all customers. All of our projects are carefully scrutinized by regulatory agencies to make sure that we are making prudent investments to maintain reliability with minimal environmental impact and at the lowest reasonable cost.
New England states have agreed to share the costs of projects that provide regional benefit. There may be instances where project costs over and above feasible least-cost solutions are paid for on a state or local level.
Options Analysis
The options for accomplishing the project goals were evaluated against the criteria of:
- System flexibility and expandability
- Customer and community interests
- Natural environment interests
- Completion in time to serve need
- Cost impact on customers
Timetable
Planning for the regional reliability projects is under way now. Ongoing work includes completing studies and deciding on the proposed routing of new facilities. During 2008, planning will continue, and siting of the projects will begin. Construction is planned to begin in 2010.
Communications and Public Outreach
As work proceeds, we will post news releases, meeting schedules and public presentations, along with notice of opportunities for public input. For more information, contact the Greater Springfield Reliability Project .
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