Toronto Hydro's Copeland Transformer Station has reached a "boring" milestone

TORONTO, Feb. 5, 2014 /CNW/ - Another milestone is achieved at Toronto Hydro-Electric System Limited's ("Toronto Hydro") Copeland Transformer Station. The Tunnel Boring Machine (TBM), which weighs approximately 176 tons when fully assembled, arrived on-site Saturday, February 1 and is being readied to begin tunnelling north to connect Canada's 2^nd underground transformer station to the grid.

The TBM, nicknamed "Lauren", will be on-site at Copeland Station for approximately three months, as it digs 600 metres to join the existing transmission tunnel beneath the intersection of Lower Simcoe and Front Streets. Creating the tunnel will facilitate a high voltage connection to the station, which will supply power to Toronto's newest downtown station.

Copeland Station is the first station built downtown by Toronto Hydro since 1955 and will provide much needed additional capacity to serve current and future load requirements in this high-density, high-growth area of Toronto.

An animated video, located at youtube.com/torontohydro, will further educate Toronto residents and businesses about how Copeland Station will reduce the stress on neighbouring downtown stations and help secure a more reliable grid.

Stay tuned for other major milestones at Copeland Station, including:

• Construction of the Transformer Station Building
• Installation of major equipment, including two transformers, unique high voltage gas insulated switchgear and medium voltage switchgear
• Re-assembly of the heritage designated Machine Shop
• Testing and connection of Copeland Station to the grid

An on-site camera captures progress on the job site by taking photos four times per hour. The photos can be viewed as a time-lapse video. Visit torontohydro.com/copelandstation

PHOTO CAPTION: The Tunnel Boring Machine (TBM), nicknamed Lauren, has arrived at Toronto Hydro's Copeland Station. The 176 ton machine will tunnel north 600 metres to connect Canada's 2^nd underground transformer station to the grid - helping to improve reliability and reduce strain on the downtown core.

About Toronto Hydro
Toronto Hydro-Electric System owns and operates an electricity distribution system, which delivers electricity to approximately 726,000 customers located in the city of Toronto. It is the largest municipal electricity distribution company in Canada and distributes approximately 19% of the electricity consumed in the province of Ontario.

Our World. Our City. Our Responsibility. See what we are doing to be safe, reliable and sustainable at torontohydro.com/responsibility

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Video with caption: "Video: To alleviate strain on the grid and to make room for new construction, Toronto Hydro is building its first transformer station since 1950! The station will add enough electrical capacity to power the equivalent of 70 skyscrapers and will be tucked beneath one of the city's busiest tourist locations next to the CN Tower, Ripley's Aquarium and the Rogers Centre. ". Video available at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hqRUt1ug3jI

Image with caption: "The Tunnel Boring Machine (TBM), nicknamed Lauren, has arrived at Toronto Hydro's Copeland Station. The 176 ton machine will tunnel north 600 metres to connect Canada's 2nd underground transformer station to the grid - helping to improve reliability and reduce strain on the downtown core. (CNW Group/Toronto Hydro Corporation)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20140205_C7625_PHOTO_EN_36273.jpg

SOURCE: Toronto Hydro Corporation

Media contact: 

Jennifer Link, Toronto Hydro-Electric System
[email protected]
W: 416-542- 2725
C: 647-449-2339