AC 735 / 765 kV power lines Hydro-Québec's electricity transmission system

a mae west pylon hydro-québec transÉnergie 735 kv power line, recognizable x-shaped spacers separating 3 4-conductor sets.

from 1965 onwards, 735 kv power line became integral part of québec s power transmission backbone. more one-third of hydro-québec transÉnergie s system consists of high voltage ac 735 / 765 kv power lines, totaling 11,422 kilometres (7,097 mi) strung between 38 substations equipment of voltage. first transmission system 1965 ieee milestone.

the physical size of hydro-québec s 735 kv transmission lines unmatched in north america. 2 other utility companies in same region, new york power authority (nypa) , american electric power (aep) contain @ least 1 765 kv line in power system. however, aep has significant mileage of 765 kv power lines, on 3,400 kilometres (2,100 mi) of 765 kv line traversing broad transmission system; system contains mileage in united states under 1 electrical company. nypa has 219 kilometres (136 mi) of 765 kv line, of contained in single direct interconnection hydro-québec.

the 735 kv power line said lessen environmental impact of power lines, 1 single power line operating @ voltage carries same amount of electric power 4 315 kv power lines, require right-of-way wider 80.0–91.5 metres (262.5–300.2 ft) width required single 735 kv line. each 735 kv line capable of transmitting 2,000 mw of electric power @ distance of on 1,000 kilometres (620 miles) , entire 735 kv grid can carry 25,000 mw of power. power transmission losses on 735 kv grid range 4.5 8%, varying due temperature , operating situations. ordre des ingénieurs du québec named 735 kv power line system technological innovation of 20th century quebec.

in wake of 1998 ice storm levis de-icer installed , began testing in 2007 , 2008.

the lévis substation.


routes

cross rope chainette ( little necklace ) suspension pylons used on parts of 735 kv lines between james bay hydroelectric complex , montreal.

hydro-québec transÉnergie s 735 kv system consists of set of 6 lines running james bay montreal , set of 4 lines churchill falls , manic-outardes power stations quebec city. south shore region of montreal , saint lawrence river between montreal , quebec city contain 735 kv power line loops or rings.

james bay

the james bay hydroelectric dam complex contains several relatively short 735 kv power lines send electricity 3 principal substations, ordered west east: radisson, chissibi, , lemoyne. these substations, 6 735 kv power lines traverse vast expanses of taiga , boreal forest in clear-cut stretches of land; shows in aerial photos. terrain power lines cross part not mountainous, smooth , replete lakes. generally, 4 of lines runs in 2 pairs , other 2 run solo, although 2 single lines run in pair. 2 intermediate 735 kv power lines, 1 in north , 1 in south, connect 6 power lines along path southern quebec.

as lines continue south, diverge 2 sets of 3 735 kv transmission lines. eastern set heads quebec city, connects power lines churchill falls , 735 kv power line loops in saint lawrence river region. western set heads montreal, forms ring of 735 kv power lines around city, linking other power loops in region. section of hydro-québec transÉnergie s power grid contains 7,400 km (4,600 mi) of 735 kv ac , 450 kv dc power line.

manic-outardes power stations / churchill falls


the micoua substation, on quebec s north shore. substation 1 of transÉnergie s transmission hubs.

electrical power generated churchill falls power station sent montreal , population centers of northeastern united states, more 1,200 kilometres (700 mi) away. starting generation station in labrador, power lines span distance of 1,800 metres (6,000 ft) on churchill river gorge , run south-southwest 203 kilometres (126 mi) 3 side-by-side power lines in cleared right-of-way width of 216 metres (709 feet). head southwest through boreal forest, lines traverse flat, smooth rolling hills.

after lines cross quebec-labrador border, known hydro-québec point of delivery, direction of lines becomes due south, , head montagnais substation, substation accessible airport adjacent it. lone 735 kv line stems off substation, heading open pit mine 142 kilometres (88 mi) northwest. terrain crossed power lines becomes hilly , mountainous south of border. lines reach on 800 metres (2,600 ft) in elevation before descending. 3 lines continue heading south until reach substation on north shore of gulf of saint lawrence. there on, 3 lines parallel north shore gulf narrows southwest toward saint lawrence river discharge mouth. northernmost power line diverges other 2 connect manic-outardes power stations located on , around rivière aux outardes , manicouagan river.

triple 735kv mae west towers @ boischatel / l ange-gardien limits, on route 138 east of quebec city, lines crosses st. lawrence river south towards Île d orléans.

as lines near quebec city, northern power line rejoins other 2 735 kv power lines. 3 lines, paralleled 735 kv power line distance north, span on saint lawrence river south shore region, lines form loops encompassing part of saint lawrence river , south shore. loops connected ring of 735 kv power lines around montreal , power lines running south james bay.