A new high-voltage regional transmission line linking southeastern Iowa and northeastern Missouri is now operational, including a 29-mile section that MidAmerican Energy constructed in three southeast Iowa counties.
The project provides a new major pathway for wind energy generation in areas along the route, says MidAmerican.
The 345,000-volt, 79-mile overhead transmission line, called Multi-Value Project 7, connects substations in Ottumwa, Iowa and Adair, Missouri, which is east of Kirksville. The line was energized on June 30. The line was jointly constructed by MidAmerican Energy, ITC Midwest and Ameren Transmission Co.
On May 31, MidAmerican Energy completed its own section, which runs through Appanoose, Davis and Wapello counties in Iowa.
In addition to improving transmission access for wind energy generation, the transmission project helps relieve congestion on other high-voltage transmission lines and helps increase efficiency on the electric grid by reducing energy production costs.
“We expect that this transmission line will open up new channels for wind energy generation, lower wholesale prices for electric energy and help lower the costs of producing electricity to meet customer demand,” says Dehn Stevens, general manager of MidAmerican Energy’s electric operations.
The transmission line also creates several economic benefits, including added grid interconnection and future interconnection options, landowner easement payments, and county property tax payments. The projects, through modernized engineering, also reduce the number of poles and amount of needed land, says MidAmerican.
In 2011, the Midcontinent Independent Transmission System Operator Inc. approved a long-term regional energy grid enhancement plan, comprising 17 multi-value projects. The MISO projects provide consumers with access to renewable energy and other electricity generation sources throughout the Midwest, as well as improve grid reliability and efficiency.
Since 2014, MidAmerican Energy has assisted with four projects, building approximately 252 miles of 345 kV transmission lines.
