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Thursday, September 02, 2010
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Thurston County

substation icon

Puget Sound Energy electric transmission line project


Spurgeon Creek substation, switching station and transmission lines




Summer 2010 project updates
  • Puget Sound Energy is currently in the engineering phase of the project
  • Construction is expected to begin in 2012 and be completed in 2013

Project Overview

PSE plans to upgrade our electric system in south Thurston County to improve reliability and increase capacity for our customers in the area. The multi-year project entails building a new electric distribution substation, transmission switching station, and approximately 12 miles of transmission lines in the area.

chehalis_map
Download full-sized map
Project map
(190 KB PDF)
2012 projects
  • Construct a new distribution substation at 7802 Diagonal Road SE in Olympia. When complete, the substation will include one 25 megavolt ampere transformer, and will have the space to add a second 25 MVA transformer, allowing PSE to double the capacity in the future without changing the substation footprint.
  • Loop an existing transmission line through the new distribution substation.

2013 projects
  • Construct a new transmission switching station at 7802 Diagonal Road SE in Olympia. The switching station will connect several existing 115 kV transmission lines to provide greater operational flexibility and efficiency in delivering power to our customers.
  • Construct approximately 12 miles of new 115 kV transmission line connecting the new switching station to existing transmission lines.

    What is a substation?

    Substations are critical links in the electricity distribution system, containing utility circuit protection, voltage regulation, and wiring that steps down higher voltage to lower voltage. Before reaching homes and businesses, power is routed through our transmission system to a substation where it is changed to a lower voltage that can be utilized by customers.

    What is a switching station?

    A switching station is a transmission substation where the utility can switch or reroute power flow from one line or path to another to allow the power to be isolated to clear a fault (e.g., a fallen tree in the wires) or to take the power line out of service for maintenance. It also may act as a point of interconnection between two different transmission operators (e.g., Bonneville Power Administration and PSE). Unlike a substation with a transformer serving neighborhood circuitry, switching stations do not step power up or down; they integrate power from one or more transmission sources on the regional and local grid to serve neighborhood substations.

    What is a transmission line?

    Transmission lines are key elements in the electrical distribution system. The lines safely transport high voltage electricity from power generation sources like dams and wind generating facilities to substations in local communities. Transmission normally takes place at voltages of 55 kV and higher.

    Committed to keeping you informed

    PSE will continue to provide updates to the community. We will notify residents and businesses near the project area when construction will occur. We aim to complete the work with as little disruption as possible.

    Download the information

    Project map



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