The Tunnel Boring Machine (TBM), nicknamed Lauren, has arrived at Toronto Hydro's Copeland Station. The 176 ton machine will tunnel north 600 m to connect Canada's second underground transformer station to the grid - helping to improve reliability and reduce strain on the downtown core.
The Tunnel Boring Machine (TBM), nicknamed Lauren, has arrived at Toronto Hydro's Copeland Station. The 176 ton machine will tunnel north 600 m to connect Canada's second underground transformer station to the grid - helping to improve reliability and reduce strain on the downtown core.
The Tunnel Boring Machine (TBM), nicknamed Lauren, has arrived at Toronto Hydro's Copeland Station. The 176 ton machine will tunnel north 600 m to connect Canada's second underground transformer station to the grid - helping to improve reliability and reduce strain on the downtown core.
The Tunnel Boring Machine (TBM), nicknamed Lauren, has arrived at Toronto Hydro's Copeland Station. The 176 ton machine will tunnel north 600 m to connect Canada's second underground transformer station to the grid - helping to improve reliability and reduce strain on the downtown core.
The Tunnel Boring Machine (TBM), nicknamed Lauren, has arrived at Toronto Hydro's Copeland Station. The 176 ton machine will tunnel north 600 m to connect Canada's second underground transformer station to the grid - helping to improve reliability and reduce strain on the downtown core.

Boring Operation Begins at Toronto Hydro's Copeland Transformer Station

Feb. 13, 2014
Another milestone is achieved at Toronto Hydro-Electric System Limited's Copeland Transformer Station.

Another milestone is achieved at Toronto Hydro-Electric System Limited's ("Toronto Hydro") Copeland Transformer Station. The Tunnel Boring Machine (TBM), which weighs approximately 176 tons when fully assembled, arrived on-site Saturday, February 1 and is being readied to begin tunneling north to connect Canada's second underground transformer station to the grid.

The TBM, nicknamed "Lauren", will be on-site at Copeland Station for approximately three months, as it digs 600 m to join the existing transmission tunnel beneath the intersection of Lower Simcoe and Front Streets. Creating the tunnel will facilitate a high voltage connection to the station, which will supply power to Toronto's newest downtown station.

Copeland Station is the first station built downtown by Toronto Hydro since 1955 and will provide much needed additional capacity to serve current and future load requirements in this high-density, high-growth area of Toronto.

An animated video, located at youtube.com/torontohydro, will further educate Toronto residents and businesses about how Copeland Station will reduce the stress on neighboring downtown stations and help secure a more reliable grid.

Stay tuned for other major milestones at Copeland Station, including:

  • Construction of the Transformer Station Building
  • Installation of major equipment, including two transformers, unique high voltage gas insulated switchgear and medium voltage switchgear
  • Re-assembly of the heritage designated Machine Shop
  • Testing and connection of Copeland Station to the grid

An on-site camera captures progress on the job site by taking photos four times per hour. The photos can be viewed as a time-lapse video. Visit torontohydro.com/copelandstation

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