On the same day, Burns & McDonnell energized South Texas Electric Cooperative's (STEC's) first fiber-optic line and wind-fueled transmission for Oklahoma Gas & Electric (OG&E).

On March 31, STEC energized its first transmission line with fiber-optic overhead ground wire in a jointly owned 100-mile (161-km) installation of 345-kV single-circuit transmission line on double-circuit monopole structures. STEC employed fiber-optic control technology to compatibly connect to the Electric Transmission Texas, LLC (ETT) grid.

ETT — a joint venture between subsidiaries of American Electric Power and MidAmerican Energy Holdings — owns 63 miles (101 km) and STEC owns 42 miles (68 km) of the transmission line originating at the San Miguel Power Plant in Atascosa County, Texas, and terminating at the ETT's Lobo Switching Station in Webb County, Texas.

STEC hired Burns & McDonnell to perform engineering, procurement and construction management for its portion of the transmission line and the San Miguel 345-kV substation. Coordinating design between the two utilities, Burns & McDonnell designed this installation for two circuits of bundled 1590-KCM Lapwing conductor with one circuit not installed for future expansion. The structures and line hardware were designed to facilitate live-line maintenance. Burns & McDonnell coordinated between utilities, placed engineers on site during construction to provide quick responses to any potential issues and facilitated an energization that was ahead of schedule.

A little bit farther north in Oklahoma, Burns & McDonnell wrapped up the second major project.

In just over two years, OG&E completed a fast-track US$200 million program. OG&E hired Burns & McDonnell to orchestrate this interconnection — 121 miles (195 km) of 345-kV transmission and four substations — to route wind power generated in northwestern Oklahoma to OG&E's load center in Oklahoma City.

“This is an important milestone in the ongoing development of renewable energy in our state,” said Pete Delaney, OGE Energy Corp. chairman, president and CEO. “The new line supports a more robust build out of Oklahoma's wind potential, producing revenue for landowners, creating jobs, increasing tax revenues in northwestern Oklahoma and delivering renewable energy to Oklahoma consumers.”

Program design included 345-kV line with double-bundled aluminum conductor, steel-reinforced 1590 Lapwing; two steel overhead ground wires; self-supporting, single steel structures on drilled-shaft foundations; two greenfield substations; modifications to two existing substations; and preliminary layout for a future substation.

For more information, visit www.burnsmcd.com.