Substation Circuit Routing Feasibility Study
Tackling a Cliffside Challenge to Energize a Hydroelectric Station
With this hydro station located at the base of a towering 140-foot cliff, LaBella was presented with an extraordinary challenge: rerouting 12 existing 11kV electrical lines to power the station. The station’s location—nestled against the sheer rock face—not only offered breathtaking views but also left little room for new infrastructure. It was an engineering puzzle that demanded both creativity and precision.
LaBella’s team embarked on a feasibility study to explore three bold possibilities for bringing power to the station:
- Constructing a new steel incline structure to descend the cliff.
- Rebuilding an old access road, threading power lines along a more accessible route.
- Tunneling directly into the cliff face, leveraging the expertise of a nationally recognized tunneling firm to explore this unconventional solution.
Each option was meticulously evaluated, with engineers balancing practicality, cost, and environmental considerations. They analyzed data, ran simulations, and crafted innovative designs to determine the best path forward.
