Riel Reliability Improvement Initiative
The Riel Reliability Improvement Initiative project is designed to improve the reliability of the transmission system serving Winnipeg and southern Manitoba. The project will modify the existing 500 kV high voltage international transmission line running from Dorsey Converter Station north of Winnipeg to Minnesota.
The project involves:
- cutting and re-terminating the line;
- establishing new 500–230-kV transformation at the Riel Station site.
These modifications, called "sectionalizing", will result in a new, alternative point for putting power into southern Manitoba's 230-kV's transmission system.
View before and after diagram of sectionalization.
How will sectionalizing help?
Approximately 75 per cent of Manitoba's generating capacity is delivered to southern Manitoba via two HVDC transmission lines, Bipole I and II to Dorsey Converter Station.
To reduce the dependency on the Dorsey Converter Station and the HVDC corridor, an alternative connection between stations and lines, provides enhanced flexibility to:
- re-route energy to minimize the loss or reduction of service when a line or station is out-of-service due to a failure or outage from severe weather;
- enhance security by protecting our ability to import power.
Current Status
The Riel Reliability Improvement Initiative project acquired a license under The Environment Act (Manitoba) in April 2009.
A contract for the engineering design and procurement of material and apparatus was signed in May 2009 and preliminary design is currently underway.
An earthworks contract was awarded and initial site development began in July 2009. This work entails site access development, stripping topsoil, and importing approximately 1.3 million cubic metres of clay. The clay is being removed from the floodway spoil piles and placed on-site to an established flood protection level. When weather permits, work is ongoing 24 hours per day.
The station is set to be completed and in-service by May 2014.
