NYPA completes first section of Smart Path power transmission project

The New York Power Authority said Nov. 24 it completed work on the first 21-mile section of its Smart Path Transmission project that involves rebuilding approximately 78 miles of an 86-mile transmission artery that will help deliver more hydropower to the state's grid.

The transmission line was originally constructed by the federal government in 1942 and was acquired by the Power Authority in 1950, according to a statement.

The line runs north to south through St. Lawrence and Lewis counties in northern New York, and the newly rebuilt lines will connect "economical, clean and renewable energy into the statewide power system, including low-cost hydropower from NYPA's St. Lawrence-Franklin D. Roosevelt Power Project as well as power from newly constructed renewable energy sources," the statement said.

"The Smart Path transmission project is critically important to the resiliency of New York's north-south transmission system," Gil Quiniones, NYPA president and CEO, said.

"The benefits of this important transmission work accrue incrementally, so every time we complete a section, New York State's transmission system becomes that much stronger, more resilient and reliable," Quiniones said.

The project involves replacing the original H-frame wood poles, some of which are more than 80 years old, with single steel monopoles in the existing right of way. The first phase of the Smart Path project is expected to be complete in 2023, according to NYPA.

A total of 104 new structures have been installed, and the rebuilt section was energized earlier this month. It will provide improved resiliency to support the transmission of clean energy from northern New York, NYPA said.

The rebuilt lines will be capable of transmitting up to 345 kV, but they will be operated in the near term at the 230 kV level, the statement said.

Together the lines are currently rated to carry 900 MW during the winter months and the ability to increase the voltage when demand requires it is a cost-effective way to add on more renewable power, especially from in-state renewable generation, anywhere along the transmission line, as New York continues to advance its clean energy goals, according to NYPA.

Power grid planning

The New York Independent System Operator in 2019 and 2020 engaged in a series of planning studies to assess the likely challenges to state public policy objectives as New York shifts toward 70% renewable electricity by 2030 and ultimately toward a zero-emissions grid by 2040.

The NYISO's long-term planning studies projected 2030 load levels, modeled the New York power grid's ability to deliver 70% renewable energy, and identified multiple areas throughout the state with transmission constraints, the grid operator said in a recent statement.

These transmission limitations could lead to "significant curtailment" of renewable resources if not addressed, the NYISO said.

Projects like Smart Path can help alleviate such transmission constraints.

"I am very proud of the progress we have made on the Smart Path project," Eugene Nicandri, NYPA Trustee, said in the Power Authority's statement.

"We are steadily gaining traction on upgrading this important line so that more renewables can come onto the grid and we can move ahead with Governor Cuomo's clean energy and climate leadership targets," Nicandri said.