PG&E 2014 Annual Report Download - page 23

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15
Western Electricity Coordinating Council, which includes many western states, Alberta and British Columbia, and parts of
Mexico.
In November 2013, the Utility, MidAmerican Transmission, LLC, and Citizens Energy Corporation were selected by the
CAISO to jointly develop a new 230-kV transmission line to address the growing power demand in Fresno, Madera and Kings
counties area. The 70-mile line will connect the Utility-owned and -operated Gates and Gregg substations. The new line will help
reduce the number and duration of power outages, improve voltage in the area, support economic development, and bolster efforts
to integrate clean, renewable energy onto the grid. The transmission line is expected to commence operations by 2022, and could
come online earlier.
Throughout 2014, the Utility upgraded several critical substations and re-conductored a number of transmission lines to
improve maintenance and system flexibility, reliability and safety. The Utility expects to undertake various additional transmission
projects over the next several years to upgrade and expand the capacity of its transmission system to accommodate system load
growth, secure access to renewable generation resources, replace aging or obsolete equipment and improve system reliability. The
Utility also has taken steps to improve the physical security of its transmission substations and equipment.
Electricity Distribution
The Utility’s electricity distribution network consists of approximately 141,700 circuit miles of distribution lines (of
which approximately 20% are underground and approximately 80% are overhead), 55 transmission switching substations, and 603
distribution substations, with a capacity of approximately 30,200 MVA. The Utility’s distribution network interconnects with its
transmission system, primarily at switching and distribution substations, where equipment reduces the high-voltage transmission
voltages to lower voltages, ranging from 44 kV to 2.4 kV, suitable for distribution to the Utility’s customers.
These distribution substations serve as the central hubs for the Utility’s electric distribution network. Emanating from
each substation are primary and secondary distribution lines connected to local transformers and switching equipment that link
distribution lines and provide delivery to end-users. In some cases, the Utility sells electricity from its distribution facilities to
entities, such as municipal and other utilities, that resell the electricity. In October 2014, the Utility commenced operations at
the first of three new electric distribution control centers. This 24,000-square foot, state-of-the-art facility, located in Fresno,
California, will enhance electric reliability and resiliency for the Utility’s customers throughout the Central Valley and will utilize
current and future Smart Grid technologies. Additional facilities in Rocklin and Concord, California, are expected to be completed
in 2015 and 2016, respectively. These control centers form a key part of the Utility’s efforts to create a smarter, more resilient grid.
In 2014, the Utility replaced approximately 295,000 feet of underground cable, replaced approximately 975,000 feet of
overhead wire, and installed or replaced 20 distribution substation transformer banks to improve reliability and provide capacity
to accommodate growing demand. The Utility plans to continue performing work to improve the reliability and safety of its
electricity distribution operations in 2015.