Pierce Substation Upgrades

Reliability is a responsibility that Duke Energy takes very seriously. We are working on building a smarter energy grid, which includes upgrading the electric transmission system in Clermont County.

The Pierce Substation in Pierce Township, Ohio, is undergoing a series of improvements to improve power quality and reliability of the community's electricity.

These improvements will involve expanding the 345-kilovolt yard on Duke Energy property, as well as reconfiguring and upgrading equipment inside the expanded substation and relocation of transmission lines outside the substation.

Project Need

The expansion project will allow Duke Energy to modernize the substation to increase the reliability of the energy network, as well as meet regulatory standards to serve electricity to homes, schools, hospitals and businesses in the area. This project is part of Duke Energy's long-range planning to identify and carry out enhancements to the electrical framework that will address reliability for our communities now and in the years ahead.

Project Description

The first phase of the project involves expanding the northwest corner of the substation by approximately 16,000 square feet for new equipment and a control building. This construction also will involve the addition of approximately 275 feet of new fencing around the expanded area.

Construction on the first phase began in July and will run through December 2020.

The second phase of the project involves installing approximately 0.117-miles (616 feet) of 345-kV transmission line to provide for the reconfiguration of equipment inside the substation. This portion of the project includes the installation of two steel monopoles outside the fence on Duke Energy property. The monopoles are 130 and 180 feet above ground and will be set on concrete foundations.

Vegetation clearing and construction on the foundations for the monopoles will begin in December 2020. All construction on the second phase of the project is expected to be completed by July 2022.

The final phase of the project involves relocating 0.23 miles (1,214 feet) of an existing 345-kV transmission line and installing two steel monopole structures into concrete foundations. One structure has a height of 130 feet and the other structure has a height of 145 feet. The project will allow for the line to terminate on a new position on the existing Pierce Substation take-off structure. This construction will support modernizing the substation and increasing reliability.

Vegetation clearing for this portion of the project is expected to begin in February 2021, prior to construction on the foundations for the new monopoles. Construction is expected to run from March 2021 through July 2022.

An application to construct, operate and maintain this project is now pending before the Ohio Power Siting Board (OPSB) in Columbus, Ohio.

View a copy of the application. A paper copy will be provided upon request. To obtain a paper copy, please contact 888.827.5116.

Benefits to the Community

• Improves electrical system reliability
• Maintains a robust system for supplying and delivering energy, which is integral to ensuring the continued economic growth and prosperity of the city
• Improves power quality and reliability for decades to come by strengthening the energy grid