This material is based upon work supported by the U.S. Department of Energy’s Grid Deployment Office, Award Number DE-GD0000885.
CONSORTIUM PROJECT INTRODUCTION
Through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, the Grid Deployment Office of the U.S. Department of Energy is overseeing a $10.5 billion investment through the Grid Resilience and Innovation Partnerships (GRIP) program. This unprecedented funding aims to boost grid flexibility, strengthen the power system's resilience against increasing threats from extreme weather and climate change, and guarantee that American communities have access to affordable, reliable, and clean electricity.
LCEC is a member of a consortium of 38 electric co-ops and other rural utilities selected to receive federal funding through the Wildfire Assessment and Resilience for Networks project (WARN).
PROJECT DESCRIPTION
At Lea County Electric Co-op, we are committed to minimizing wildfire risks through various initiatives such as pole inspection and replacement programs, upgrading breaker and recloser systems, installing raptor protection on our distribution network, conducting infrared inspections of substations, and upgrading critical transmission lines with non-wood poles. We are also advancing our standards for pole sizing and classing, implementing robust cybersecurity measures to protect our substation Real Time Automation Controls, and deploying advanced metering infrastructure. Furthermore, we are enhancing our Bronco substation with System Control and Data Acquisition and electronic relaying, alongside improving communications between substations and our system's control center.
BENEFITS
The project aims to significantly reduce the risk of wildfires caused by system failures while also fortifying the infrastructure against extreme weather conditions. These enhancements in resiliency will safeguard the Cooperative's vulnerable communities and enhance the overall integrity of the system.
COMMUNITIES AND MEMBERS IMPACTED
The electrical infrastructure of Lea County Electric Cooperative spans across six counties, encompassing Lea, Eddy, and Chaves in New Mexico, as well as Cochran, Yoakum, and Gaines in Texas. LCEC serves a diverse membership which includes low-income residential members in both states.
Community Partnership Team (CPT)
LCEC will be reaching out to the impacted communities to form a Community Partnership Team (CPT) of local stakeholders to provide review and feedback of our project as it is planned and constructed, including the finalization of our Grid Upgrade Plan.
TIMELINE
The Wildfire Assessment and Resilience for Networks project will use a phased approach from 2024 – 2029:
- Design & Permitting: Currently in progress
- Procurement: Scheduled for late 2024
- Construction: Phased construction from 2025 to 2029
- Operation: Phased implementation from 2025 to 2029
GRID UPGRADE PLAN
MEDIA/NEWS
CONTACT INFORMATION
General Project Contact:
Bobby Kimbro, Manager of System Operations, Distribution Engineering, Metering & System Planning
bkimbro@lcecnet.com
(575) 396-3631