American Transmission Systems installing larger, high-voltage transmission lines in northwest Ohio

Utilizing helicopters, American Transmission Systems, Inc. is in the process of upgrading nearly eight miles of 138 kV transmission lines in Ottawa County, Ohio, swapping them for larger wires capable of handling additional demand for greater grid reliability overall.

In addition to the wires, ATSI will replace six transmission structures along that route with new steel monopoles more capable of supporting the larger wires. Modifications will benefit another 42 transmission structures, including new components and insulators to separate the lines from their grounded support towers.

“This line upgrade will reinforce our transmission system and will help provide us with the flexibility we need to continue delivering reliable power to customers in northwest Ohio,” said Carl Bridenbaugh, FirstEnergy Corp. vice president of Transmission.

American Transmission Systems is a subsidiary of FirstEnergy.

In all, the end product will benefit customers in Ottawa, Erie, and Lorain counties. It should cost around $20 million. Work officially began in February and is expected to conclude in May. By utilizing helicopter crews, the company will be able to avoid the creation of access roads for large trucks and other equipment.

The potential of the project was originally identified in conjunction with PJM, the electric grid operator for Ohio Edison and Toledo Edison’s service area, during a reliability planning analysis.