Ridge Substation
CORE Electric Cooperative has sought the approval of Douglas County to build, operate and maintain a new substation and linked battery energy storage system (BESS) near the intersection of North Ridge Road and East Plum Creek Parkway in Castle Rock.
The new substation, dubbed Ridge, will increase capacity to meet anticipated growth and development in the area, while the BESS will offset peak electric load times to keep rates competitive for CORE members.
Need
Most members in the area are currently served by CORE’s Castle Rock Substation, which provides approximately 50 megawatts (MW) but is already at near-maximum capacity. Castle Rock has approved in the area construction of new single-family homes that would put the existing Castle Rock Substation well over its maximum capacity and create reliability issues.
Ridge Substation will introduce 100 MW of additional capacity and take load off the Castle Rock Substation. It also will allow CORE to transfer load between the substations so that necessary maintenance can be performed on one or the other without interruption to members’ electric service.
The proposed BESS will allow CORE to store power during off-peak hours for distribution in periods in which demand is high, which helps members avoid additional fees during on-peak hours.
Location
The proposed location for Ridge Substation is ideal because it is adjacent to two existing 115-kilovolt transmission lines – one owned by CORE and the other by Xcel Energy.
The existing Castle Rock Substation site is less than 5 acres and cannot be expanded for the necessary equipment and infrastructure.
Timeline
Construction of the proposed Ridge Substation will occur in two phases:
- Phase 1 will include construction of the substation in 2026 and an expected in-service date in 2027.
- Phase 2 will include construction of the BESS some time after the substation goes online.
Size
The proposed site covers just more than 22 acres. The substation itself will have a footprint of approximately 270 feet by 370 feet.
Aesthetics
Current landscape views near the project site will not change significantly.
Transmission lines already exist in the immediate area, and the project is consistent with the Douglas County Comprehensive Master Plan 2040, which protects, where appropriate, views to and from significant natural features.
A 10-foot precast perimeter wall will surround the substation. The wall will have a brick texture and natural buff look intended to blend seamlessly into the surrounding landscape.
Lighting at the substation will be night-sky compliant, downcast and used only during emergencies such as unplanned outages.
Safety
Ridge Substation will not generate fumes, odors or particulates.
Substations emit low-frequency EMF radiation, which is non-ionizing. EMF levels decrease rapidly as it gets further from the source, mainly the transformers, and normally you will find that the EMF outside of a substation is no greater than what is inside a typical residence. Modern substations are also designed to emit lower levels of EMF and follow strict safety standards.
Additional resources
Activity
CORE anticipates just 20 vehicles will enter and exit the proposed site each average workday throughout construction.
After construction is completed, personnel will access the substation only occasionally.