Holton City Commission has approved an engineering study to evaluate the upgrade of the city's electric production system in Holton, Kansas. The study, estimated to cost $25,000, will assess the need for replacing the aging tie transformer, which has been in use since 1976. The city aims to fund the study through the proceeds from its half-cent sales tax designated for infrastructure improvements.

The tie transformer connects multiple power sources and distributes the collected power to utility customers. However, with the city's power load reaching 13 megawatts during summer months, the existing transformer's capacity of eight megawatts falls short. The electrical production department has been generating additional power to meet the city's needs, but escalating fuel costs have hindered revenue generation. If the tie transformer fails, the department would have to rely on generators, which would only provide a limited duration of generation time based on the high fuel costs.

The study will determine the necessary upgrades and assess the viability of replacing the tie transformer to ensure the city's electric supply meets the growing demand. By addressing the aging infrastructure and improving the electric production system, Holton aims to enhance its power reliability and efficiency.

Source: holtonrecorder.net