Substation and Underground Cable Upgrades to Boost Reliability
Ameren Illinois crews are beginning a series of electric infrastructure upgrades across Warren, Knox and Mercer counties. A major part of this effort is the conversion of the Monmouth Substation from a 4-kilovolt electric system to a more robust 12-kilovolt electric system.
Two new 22 megavolt-ampere transformers, as well as five smart switching devices and regulator circuits, will be added inside the Monmouth Substation. The higher capacity devices will improve resiliency and meet increased demand for electricity from residential and business customers.
Additional upgrades include increasing transformer capacity in Arpee, Seaton and Viola; installing smart switches in Aledo; and enhancing the underground electrical network in downtown Galesburg. Together, these improvements are designed to reduce the frequency and duration of outages and strengthen overall system performance.
“Substations do not get a lot of fanfare, but they are critical elements in a reliable, resilient energy grid,” said Ron Juarez, director of North Region Electric Operations at Ameren Illinois. “With these enhancements, Ameren Illinois is taking proactive steps to meet today’s demand and prepare our system to accommodate the future needs of our electric customers. We’re excited to bring these benefits to the region.”
The enhancements to the substations and underground network should be completed and in service by the beginning of September.
***Courtesy of Ameren Illinois***
