A new Ameren Illinois transmission substation in Louisville will enhance energy service reliability, flexibility, and load capacity of the company's local electric grid in Clay County and neighboring counties.
Grading and foundation work on the 16-acre site adjacent to the existing Louisville South Substation is underway, and workers were expected to begin building the 138-kV Tanner substation facility in mid-May. The two-year, US$33 million project will also add new power lines between the two substations to increase service redundancy.
"Substations do not get a lot of fanfare but they are critical elements in a reliable, resilient energy grid," said Ron Juarez, director of East Region Electric Operations, Ameren Illinois. "When phase one of this project is completed in early December, we will be able to potentially re-route power from other substations in the area to reduce the duration of an outage for our customers. It will also facilitate the efficient transmission of cleaner energy being generated at nearby solar facilities."
Ameren Illinois has asked motorists driving along this busy stretch of highway to be mindful of the trucks moving and employees working near the route and to slow down in the work zone.
"We need everyone's help when it comes to work zone safety along this route and on every route where workers are present," said Karen Boulanger, director of safety for Ameren Illinois. "The signs and cones create their protected work area. Please slow down as you drive on Highway 45 and pay attention. Our co-workers want to return home safely at the end of the day."
The enhancements are part of Ameren Illinois' multiyear initiative to modernize its energy delivery system. Since 2012, the company has implemented hundreds of projects, added new technology, and strengthened poles, wires, and distribution equipment. As a result, reliability has improved by an average of 22% and the time of an outage has been reduced by 16%.
