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Skip Navigation LinksHome > Electric > Electric Distribution

Transmission and Distribution

The CWLP electric system's transmission network consists of lines and associated substations operating at voltages of 138 kilovolt (kV) and 69 kV. The 138 kV portion of the transmission network currently includes approximately 63 circuit miles of overhead lines forming a complete loop around the system's service area. The 138 kV transmission lines presently serve nine of the system's substations or switching stations, plus the village of Chatham, Illinois.

CWLP Service Map


Electric Dispatch Read More   

The CWLP Electric Division maintains a modern Dispatch Center which is staffed by dispatching and operations personnel 24 hours a day. Dispatching operations are aided by a Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) System. SCADA continuously monitors load conditions on CWLP's electric grid and keeps track of any status changes. The SCADA system is fully operational on the transmission network.

While SCADA systems are not typically applied to distribution networks, CWLP has added control points to all the utility's remote terminal units, allowing SCADA to operate on the distribution network, as well. This approach provides greater control over the City's electric grid and improves customer service by reducing the duration of power outages.

When an outage or other service problem occurs, the Dispatch Center is responsible for taking customer calls, pinpointing the source of the problem and dispatching the appropriate personnel and equipment to fix it.

The Dispatch Center has an integrated voice response (IVR) telephone system and outage management system (OMS), which, working in tandem with the utility's customer information system (CIS), make it easier for customers to report or receive information about service problems. The IVR/OMS systems also reduce the chance that customers will receive a busy signal when they call to report a problem. The overall benefit provided by these systems is reduced outage times and improved service reliability.

Customers who are experiencing an outage or other electric service problem should contact the Dispatch Center's electric emergency number: 217.789.2121.

Learn more about CWLP Dispatch and outage response operations here: Outage Center

Ties to the Grid Read More   

CWLP is registered as a distribution provider, generation operator, generation owner, load serving entity, resource planner, transmission operator, transmission owner, and transmission planner within the North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC). The NERC website is www.nerc.com. CWLP operates as a local balancing authority (LBA) within the Midcontinent Independent System Operator (MISO), a regional transmission organization that is registered as a balancing authority. CWLP and the other LBAs within MISO have a balancing authority agreement with MISO. This agreement designates some balancing authority functions to MISO and other balancing authority functions to the LBAs.

Direct interconnections with other electric utilities enable CWLP to better ensure the instantaneous backup of its system in the event it has an outage of a generating unit. These interconnections are made possible by a far-reaching network of high-voltage transmission lines known as "the grid." The grid is overseen by NERC, as well as regional entities such as SERC.

CWLP became a full member of SERC Reliability Corporation (SERC) in January 2007, one of the eight regional reliability councils that make up NERC. Membership in SERC (www.serc1.org) provides the utility with the opportunity to participate in and benefit from the regional studies performed by SERC and its members. SERC is a nonprofit corporation responsible for promoting and improving the reliability, adequacy, and critical infrastructure of the bulk power supply systems in all or portions of 16 central and southeastern states. Owners, operators and users of the bulk power system in these states cover an area of approximately 560,000 square miles and comprise what is known as the SERC Region. SERC is dedicated to maintaining reliability of the grid by administering reliability standards, monitoring compliance, and studying and assessing the reliability of the generation and transmission system.

CWLP is directly interconnected with the Ameren transmission system at six locations. The Ameren Lanesville 345/138 kV substation, which was completed in December 2004, interconnects the Commonwealth Edison/PJM 345 kV transmission system to the CWLP 138 kV transmission system. The most recent interconnections with Ameren were completed in June 2009 and include the Interstate – San Jose 138 kV and the Interstate – East Springfield 138 kV.

In March 2001, CWLP joined MISO as a transmission owner. In December 2001, MISO was recognized by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) as the first Regional Transmission Organization (RTO). MISO is a nonprofit independent system operator that serves the electrical transmission needs of 15 states and the Canadian province of Manitoba. It is committed to reliability, the nondiscriminatory operation of the bulk power transmission system, and working with all stakeholders to create cost-effective and innovative solutions for our changing industry. The organization is governed by an independent board of directors and is headquartered in Carmel, IN, with operations centers in Carmel and Eagan, MN. Membership in MISO is voluntary. In April 2005, MISO began operating a day-ahead and real-time energy market based on locational marginal pricing (LMP). MISO then began the Ancillary Services Market in January 2009 and completed the South Region Integration in December 2013. More information about the MISO energy market can be found on the MISO website. This website includes a map showing the real-time energy prices throughout the MISO service territory.

Call JULIE Before Digging Read More   

Before you begin any type of landscaping or other project that requires digging or excavation, call JULIE (Joint Utility Locating Information for Excavators) at 811 or 1.800.892.0123 at least 48 hours before you dig! JULIE will arrange for representatives from your utility service providers (electricity, water, gas cable, telephone) to come to your property and mark the location of each underground service.

If you dig without calling JULIE first, not only might you be putting your life and property in danger, you can be held financially liable for any damages that you might cause to utility property.

About Trees & Power Lines Read More   

Learn about tree trimming needs for electric system reliability and how to report trouble.

Learn More

More information

A portion of the 69 kV transmission network was originally installed in 1956, and now consists of approximately 66 circuit miles of overhead lines serving 23 distribution substations. There are six 80,000 kilovolt-ampere (kVA) transformers connecting the 138 kV system to the 69 kV system.

The system's distribution network consists of approximately 507 circuit miles of overhead 12.47 kV and approximately 442 circuit miles of underground 12.47 kV facilities.


The purpose of the 138 kV network is to provide:

  • generator outlet capacity for CWLP's Dallman Units 3 and 4 and the Interstate combustion turbine
  • bulk power supply to the lower voltage portion of the transmission network
  • a direct supply to some distribution substation transformers
  • interconnections with other utilities.

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