Access to a reliable supply of electricity is the backbone of the BC economy and transmission is a critical component of the system moving electricity from where it is produced to where it is needed by customers. The transmission planning process identifies the investments needed to ensure the transmission system has the capacity to meet growing demand for electricity and to interconnect new generation resources.
Each year, a transmission system capital plan is produced identifying the transmission system investments required to meet the needs of customers and ensure a robust, reliable transmission network is in place. The transmission planning process has four key steps:
- Needs Identification
- Study Phase
- Definition Phase
- Implementation Phase
Step One: Needs Identification
BC Hydro transmission continually monitors system performance and evaluates the impact of increased customer requests against the current system capacity. New customer requests are submitted under tariff processes for transmission services and Interconnection service.
Step Two: Study Phase
Once a need is identified, BCTC conducts a variety of planning studies to identify potential solutions and evaluate their performance against technical and financial criteria. Stakeholder and First Nations issues are identified during this phase, particularly if any alternatives require new property or a significant change in land use. Alternatives are evaluated based on a variety of a factors including safety, environment, reliability, market efficiency, relationships and financial considerations. Alternatives that are not feasible or do not meet the need are eliminated and a short list of preferred options is identified.
Step Three: Definition Phase
In the definition phase, detailed analysis is conducted on the preferred options to select an alternative and develop a project plan. During this phase, First Nations and stakeholder considerations are addressed and regulatory approvals (e.g. Certificates of Public Convenience and Necessity, Environmental Assessment Certificates, etc) sought.
Step Four: Implementation Phase
Once approvals have been received, the implementation phase begins and the new works are constructed. During construction, projects are continually monitored against their project plans, including cost, schedule and quality of work.
Key Terms
Transmission Service: Moving electricity over the transmission system from where it is produced to where it is needed. The two main transmission services are:
- Network Integrated Transmission Services (NITS): This is a service provided to large utility customers such as BC Hydro and involves moving electricity from multiple generation sources to multiple loads throughout the province
- Point-to-Point service: This is a service to move electricity from a specific pick-up point to a specific delivery point
Interconnection Service: Interconnection service is used to connect new generations or transmission voltage loads to the existing transmission service.
In addition to standard planning processes, BC Hydro initiated work under its Transmission Expansion Policy to identify opportunities to expand the transmission system in advance of committed need. Outcomes of this process will be included in capital plans.