A Strategic Choice for Long Island's Power Needs
"It's the most important energy project in the history of Long Island because for the first time, Long Island will become part of the national energy grid, and for the first time, we'll be able to import power from the south, where it's a heck of a lot cheaper," former LIPA chairman Richard Kessel said as he surveyed the New Cassel site where the cable will terminate. "It's important for the reliability of the system as well. When this is online two summers from now, it will have a significant impact on our customers' bills." (Source: 12/22/05 Newsday News Article)
"An economic assessment performed during the RFP response review process demonstrated that the Neptune cable provides about $1.4 billion in net benefits to LIPA, which is significantly more than any other project proposed to meet Long Island’s long-term energy needs." (Source: 9/29/04 LIPA Press Release)
Abundant Low-Cost Energy From Sources Off-Island
Neptune RTS offers LIPA access to one of the richest and most diverse sources of low-cost electrical capacity and energy in the country. Neptune RTS gives LIPA an off-island (PJM) purchase point where it can purchase these products at prices that are heavily discounted compared with Long Island.
A Stronger LIPA Grid
Interconnecting at LIPA’s Newbridge Road substation, Neptune RTS provides LIPA with a controllable source of transmission that will be a significant asset in LIPA’s campaign to enhance the reliability of its power grid. With 660 MW of fully controllable HVDC transfer capacity, Neptune RTS enables PJM synchronizing power available to Long Island in the wake of a blackout situation to rapidly restore power for LIPA and its customers.
Diverse, Stable Fuels
Neptune RTS provides LIPA access to off-island nuclear, coal, and hydro-electricity to help insulate LIPA and its consumers from overdependence on increasingly expensive and volatile gas and oil supplies.
An Ideal Hedging Strategy
As well as providing access to diverse fuel sources, Neptune RTS’s PJM purchase point gives LIPA the opportunity to procure power from multiple owners over a variety of time periods and thus offers an outstanding opportunity to take advantage of lower cost energy alternatives as they become available.
A Strong Environmental Choice
Neptune RTS is less environmentally disruptive than new on-island power generation. Its smaller footprint, zero discharge of air or water emissions, and zero demand on Long Island’s challenged aquifers rank Neptune RTS high on environmental criteria.
World Class Availability & Lowest System Losses
Neptune RTS deploys time-tested Siemens HVDC thyristor valve technology to offer low system losses and provide world-class availability.
40-Year Useful Life
Like the multiple cables currently serving Long Island, the Neptune RTS cable has a useful life of 40 years or more and provides a durable, effective electricity pathway for many decades.
