Edison Sault Electric Company Overview and Recent Developments

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The Edison Sault Electric Company has a long history of providing electricity to the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. It was established in 1891.

The company's early success was due in part to its innovative approach to electrification, which included the use of hydroelectric power from the nearby Soo Locks. This allowed for a reliable and efficient source of electricity.

One of the company's most notable developments in recent years has been its investment in smart grid technology. This has enabled the company to better manage energy distribution and reduce outages.

History and Modernization

The Edison Sault Electric Company has a rich history that dates back to the late 19th century. Excavation of the hydropower plant's canal began in September 1898 and was completed in 1902.

The facility was constructed of stone and steel, with much of the stone used coming from the power canal itself. This construction method has stood the test of time, with the facility still operational today.

Official opening of the facility was held on October 25, 1902, and at the time of completion, it was second only to Niagara Falls in terms of hydro development.

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The Facility's History

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Excavation of the hydropower plant's canal began in September 1898 and was completed in 1902. The construction of the Edison Sault Electric Hydroelectric Plant started in March 1900 and was completed in 1902.

The facility was officially opened on October 25, 1902, and at the time of completion, it was second only to Niagara Falls in terms of hydro development. Much of the stone used in the construction was excavated from the power canal during its construction.

The facility is constructed of stone and steel, with additional stone used on other local landmarks throughout the City of Sault Ste. Marie.

Plant Modernization Project

In 1987, Edison Sault Electric Co. began a review process to determine what was needed to keep the hydroelectric plant operating into the 21st century.

The study determined that much work was needed to upgrade and replace the aged equipment and electrical wiring.

The modernization project was conceived in the fall of 1987 and broken down into five phases.

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The first four phases, which began in 1988, involved the installation of automatic controls on each electrical bus and all 74 generators.

The modernization project cost approximately $8 million.

As part of the plant modernization, studies were completed to rate the generating efficiencies of each individual turbine unit given the peculiarities of their location in the powerhouse and in the river.

The final phase of the project was to bring together the unique operating and efficiency characteristics of all the turbines and determine what combination is the most efficient to operate at any particular time.

This "most economic dispatch" project was completed in 1993.

The plant modernization also included installation of the METRA automated control system, which monitors the generation of electricity and controls all processes at the plant.

The METRA system can identify problems with each of the plant’s 74 turbine generators and automatically shut down or restart units as needed.

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Electricity and Sales

Edison Sault Electric Company's hydro generating station, the Edison Sault Hydroelectric Plant, is a crucial part of their electricity sales strategy.

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The plant is located in the Eastern Upper Peninsula of Michigan and supplies one-fifth of the power needs of the area.

With free fuel, the plant can produce electricity at a significantly lower cost than other power plants, making it a key factor in providing some of the lowest cost electrical rates in the U.S. Midwest.

Edison Sault Electric Company has four 138-kV interconnections with other utilities to supply the remainder of their customers' electricity needs.

Two of these interconnections are submerged under the Straits of Mackinac, connecting with International Transmission Co. in lower Michigan.

The other two interconnections are with We Energies on Michigan's Upper Peninsula.

Edison Sault Electric Company and Cloverland Electric serve a combined population of over 60,000 people in the Eastern Upper Peninsula.

Their systems require a total of 860 million kWh annually, with the Edison Sault Hydropower Plant accounting for more than one-fifth of the total power requirements.

The balance is supplied by the U.S. Corps of Engineers' St. Marys Hydro Plant or by transmission ties.

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Acquisitions and Partnerships

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The Edison Sault Electric Company made its first major acquisition in 1918, purchasing the Sault Power Company for $1.2 million. This move significantly increased the company's generating capacity and allowed it to supply power to a larger area.

The company's partnership with the Detroit Edison Company was a crucial factor in its success, enabling it to tap into new markets and technologies.

In 1923, the Edison Sault Electric Company acquired the Bay Furnace Company, a move that further expanded its generating capacity and solidified its position in the industry.

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Interconnections and Filings

Edison Sault Electric Company had a robust interconnection system, with four 138 kV lines connecting it to other utilities. These lines were a testament to the company's commitment to reliable and efficient power distribution.

Two of these interconnections were with Consumers Energy in lower Michigan, specifically the McGulpin-Straits #1 and McGulpin-Straits #2 lines, which were submerged under the Straits of Mackinac.

Edison Sault also had interconnections with its former sister company, Wisconsin Electric, via the Arnold-Indian Lake #1 and Arnold-Indian Lake #2 lines.

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Interconnections

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Edison Sault had four 138 kV interconnections with other utilities. These interconnections were crucial for the company's operations.

Two of these interconnections were with Consumers Energy in lower Michigan, specifically the McGulpin-Straits #1 and McGulpin-Straits #2 lines, which are submerged under the Straits of Mackinac.

Edison Sault also had two interconnections with its former sister company, Wisconsin Electric, via the Arnold-Indian Lake #1 and Arnold-Indian Lake #2 lines.

In addition to these high-voltage interconnections, Edison Sault had connections with Cloverland Electric and Upper Peninsula Power on its 69 kV subtransmission system.

Here are some key facts about Edison Sault's interconnections:

  • Two interconnections with Consumers Energy in lower Michigan.
  • Two interconnections with Wisconsin Electric.
  • Connections with Cloverland Electric and Upper Peninsula Power on its 69 kV subtransmission system.

Notice of Filing

A Notice of Filing is a crucial step in the process of interconnections and filings. It's a formal announcement that a document has been submitted to a regulatory agency, in this case, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC).

The Notice of Filing typically includes details about the document itself, such as its publication date, document number, and page count. For example, the Notice of Filing in the Edison Sault Electric Company v. Cloverland Electric Cooperative case was published on April 14, 2000, and consisted of 1 page (65 FR 20148).

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A glowing vintage Edison bulb hanging in a dimly lit indoor space, casting a warm ambiance.
Credit: pexels.com, A glowing vintage Edison bulb hanging in a dimly lit indoor space, casting a warm ambiance.

The notice also explains how the public can access the document and participate in the process. In the Edison Sault Electric Company case, anyone interested in being heard or protesting the filing had to file a motion to intervene or protest with FERC by April 21, 2000.

The notice may also include information about the agency's docket number, which is a unique identifier for the case. For instance, the Edison Sault Electric Company case had a docket number of EL98-77-000.

The notice typically includes a statement about the filing being available for public inspection. In the Edison Sault Electric Company case, the filing was available on the FERC website at http://www.ferc.fed.us/online/rims.htm, and copies were also on file with the Commission.

Here are the typical details you can expect to find in a Notice of Filing:

  • Document details, such as publication date, document number, and page count
  • Agency docket number
  • Information about how to access the document and participate in the process
  • Statement about the filing being available for public inspection

Future Plans

The Edison Sault Hydroelectric Plant has a contract with the U.S. Army that runs until at least 2025, and possibly until 2040, for the use of the water it runs on.

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New hydro generation will likely play a limited role in the future as demand for electricity increases, with wind and solar power playing bigger roles in the renewable arena.

Upgrades to existing hydro sites, like the Edison Sault Hydroelectric Plant, will have a minimal effect on overall hydro generation.

The Edison Sault Hydroelectric Plant has potential for additional installed capacity, with estimates suggesting an extra 8 to 10 megawatts of electricity could be generated with the same amount of water.

A cost evaluation is performed every two to five years to determine the feasibility of these upgrades.

The plant is expected to be operational until at least 2025, and possibly until 2040.

According to Maas, the plant has a long-term production potential of at least another 50 years, given its successful run of 107 years so far.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the history of Cloverland electric?

Cloverland Electric was founded in 1938 to serve rural communities in Michigan's Eastern Upper Peninsula. The co-op expanded significantly in 2010 with the acquisition of Edison Sault Electric.

Antoinette Cassin

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Antoinette Cassin is a seasoned copy editor with over a decade of experience in the field. Her expertise lies in medical and insurance-related content, particularly focusing on complex areas such as medical malpractice and liability insurance. Antoinette ensures that every piece of writing is clear, accurate, and free of legal and grammatical errors.

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