Tres Amigas SuperStation
| Tres Amigas SuperStation | |
|---|---|
 |
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| Official name | Tres Amigas SuperStation |
| Coordinates | 34°24′N 103°05′W / 34.4°N 103.083°WCoordinates: 34°24′N 103°05′W / 34.4°N 103.083°W |
| Status | Planning |
| Owner(s) | Tres Amigas LLP |
| Power generation information | |
| Maximum capacity | 30 GW |
| Website www.tresamigasllc.com |
|
| As of Nov 2010 | |
The Tres Amigas SuperStation focuses on uniting North America’s two major power grids (the Eastern Interconnection and the Western Interconnection) and one minor grid (the Texas Interconnection) to enable faster adoption of renewable energy and increase the reliability of the U.S. grid.[1]
Contents |
[edit] Overview
The Tres Amigas SuperStation will tie the grids together via three 5 GW superconductive high-voltage direct current power transmission lines,[2] which permit a controlled flow of energy while also functionally isolating the independent AC frequencies of each side. The design is scalable to 30 GW.[citation needed]
Tres Amigas uses high-temperature superconductor (HTS) wire.[1]
The Tres Amigas SuperStation will act as a power market hub, enabling the buying and selling of electricity among three of North America's largest interconnections, which is not possible today.[3]
[edit] Location
The Tres Amigas super station will be located on a 22-square-mile (57 km2) plot of land near Clovis, New Mexico.[4]
[edit] Cost
Early estimates of the cost put the project budget at around $1 billion.[4]
[edit] Project schedule and status
In 2009 it was stated that construction may start in 2011, and could become operational in 2013.[5]
[edit] References
- ^ a b Superconductors to Wire a Smarter Grid, Technology Review, 2009-11-12, accessed 2010-11-20.
- ^ High-Temp Superconductors To Connect Power Grids
- ^ http://www.tresamigasllc.com/about-need.php
- ^ a b http://www.fastcompany.com/blog/ariel-schwartz/sustainability/tres-amigas-project-americas-renewable-energy-hub Oct 2009
- ^ http://www.businessgreen.com/bg/news/1804299/us-unveils-plans-giant-renewable-energy-hub Oct 2009
