Direct Testimony of Thomas M. Hildebrand - Consumer Advocate ...

wy_Jc-
f
W. Va.
19791 PUBLlC SERViCE COMMISSION ?!P
nos 3445-138 kV transformer
daliszewski Reb. Ex. G, 11,
of the Amos-Hanging Rock
andy No. 2 and Amos No. 2
,timated 1980-8 1 winter peak
nos operating at about 118%
of its normal raring (Id,, 2).
is-Gavin 765 kV circuit with
service and Big Sandy No. t
5 k\’ circuit is loaded above
jbove cases the overload con-
[re in the system resulting in
3.
: that the operation of transould
result in the immediate
.ge which could cause failure
ing within normal capabilities
jence that the proposed line
:@ >. (Maliszewski Reb.
.
\
centration of generating capacity in one area, the fact remains that the
New Haven plant was certificated in 1974, is now nearing completion and
clearly the .4PCO Reliability Studies S1 - SI2 are of some significance as
justification for the proposed line. In addition. the load flow studies A1 - A30
demonstrate that serious power flow and overloading problems will exist,
not necessarily leading to transient stability problems. but which could. nonetheless.
result in system outages due to transformers and other facilities operat-
ing at or above their winter emergency ratings in the near future.
.-Pi IS--*-
_’**.-**.- 4.:.*-> ,,..,-‘r*i*i__:
~ . . ~ ~
rd is seriously deficient in that it does not contain studies ’\
reflecting the probability of each required element of outage and units ’1,
operating at full load simultaneously, there is, we believe, a sufficient basis
\i
in the record for a finding that the proposed line is essential for the New \
Haven plant to be properly and reliably integrated into the AEP System :.
without violating the basic ECAR criteria. Particularly, there is evidence
that single and double contingency outages have occurred a number of times
on the AEP transmission system (Reb. Maliszewski Ex. G. 31. The difficulty
i ’
we have experienced in attempting to evaluate the probabilities of the oc- ;
currences which must take place in the computer sirnilation studies lead us to ;
the conclusion, however, that future certification cases presented in this
jurisdiction should be accompanied by evidence concerning such probabilities i’
c-
w-EIPq;*ryr. -
hich could occur undei tran-
hed this conclusion concern-
?stem under stress. The fact
tvels were within acceptablc
#ties operatbg normalby. The
nber 7. I977 memo assume
-he staff does recognize that
:m in the stead), mode of
ce (Tr. 1576).
is opinion that the proposed
no; take into account an)’
and that his opinion was
tTr. 1416). Alrhou,oh Dr.
are an essential aspect of
did noi have the capability
ve itself violated the first
voidance of excessive con-
!
B. EVIDENCE ADDRESSXNG APPLICANT’S CONSIDERATION OF
ALTERNAIIES TO THE PROPOSED LINE
APCO has asserted that the proposed line will remedy the problems
discussed above and that there is no viable alternative to the construction of
the line. Intervenors assert. however. that there are numerous alternatives
both in terms of additional equipment and in terms of system management
which could achieve with less environmenta! impact the stability and reinforcement
AEP professes to desire.
The chief alternative to the proposed line is to tie both the New Haven
and Gavin Plant into the existing 345 LV system. APCO admitted that this
alternative would provide transient stability for the New Haven and Gavin
Plants. but objected to it because it would no1 reinforce the svstem as adequately,
would require a new 345 kV transmission Iine from Sporn to
Culloden following essentially the same route as the proposed line. and
would he more expensive (Maiiszewski Ex. A. 21. 22: Maliszewski Reb. Ex.
I to IS). The majority of the cost estimated for this alternative consisted of
the construction of 345 kV lines to carry the same amount of ioad as the
765 kL’ line. (lnt. Maiiszewski Exh. 7).
A second alternative mentioned by the applicant would be the constriiction
of a 765 kV line from Gavin to North Proctorville. This configuration
solves the stability problem but AEP tesrified ir does nothing IO soive the
overload problems (Tr. 673-674; 1637).