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Manitoba/Ontario HVDC Interconnection Electrode


Hydro One


Ontario, Canada
     
 
 
Hydro One was evaluating various systems for increasing the capacity of the transmission system between Manitoba and Ontario. Two major alternatives for strengthening the tie capacity were under consideration:
  • Alternative 1: 500 kV ac link

  • Alternative 2: 500 kV dc link with a 1500 MW total bipole with the following two options:
    • Option 1: 1600 km from Gillam, Manitoba to Sudbury, Ontario
    • Option 2: 1100 km from Gillam, Manitoba to Thunder Bay, Ontario

Teshmont was part of a team selected to investigate and select potential electrode sites for the dc alternatives at Sudbury and Thunder Bay.

The challenge with this project was to find suitable electrode sites in the vicinity of Thunder Bay and Sudbury, both areas in the Canadian Shield. The rock that makes up the Canadian Shield has a typical resistivity in the thousands of ohm-metres, which makes it difficult to limit the voltage rise at the electrodes and the voltage gradients to remote earth. Deep ground resistivity is of prime importance in siting suitable electrodes. 		 
 
   

Teshmont coordinated investigations and analysis, which included:

  • Investigation of deep earth resistivities

  • Identification of potential electrode sites in the Thunder Bay and Sudbury areas based on deep earth resistivities

  • Investigation of the surficial geology in the vicinity of the potential electrode sites

  • Development of a resistivity model for each site, based on the deep earth and surficial geology data

  • Review of facilities that could be affected by the electrodes at these sites, and identification of possible impacts on these utilities