Pacific DC Intertie
BPA ↔ California · HVDC line (line-commutated)
An HVDC line from the Celilo converter at The Dalles, Oregon to Sylmar in Los Angeles, the longest direct link between the Northwest and Southern California.
Operator readings
Compare each operator’s reading at its stated time. Scheduled transfers and metered physical flow measure different things.
- As BPA reports it
- 1,674 MW · BPA → California
Delayed publication · limit this way 3,210 MW · as of Nov 10, 12:00 AM PST
- As CAISO reports it · scheduled
- 0 MW · Idle
Current reading · as of Nov 10, 3:30 PM PST
Last 30 days
Hourly readings, signed so that up is power leaving the market. Each series identifies whether it measures flow or a transfer schedule.
Above zero: BPA → California. Below: the reverse.
- Usual direction
- BPA → California in 13% of hours
13% out, 1% in, 86% idle across 705 hours
- Average
- 110 MW · BPA → California
- When busy
- 1,009 MW
95th percentile of hourly flow either way
- Peak BPA → California
- 3,212 MW
- Peak California → BPA
- 248 MW
- Direction changes
- 8
Hardware
Its terminals, placed from named HIFLD substations or other cited geospatial sources where available.
- Converter
- Celilo converter, OR
45.5946, -121.1131 · 1000 kV
- Converter
- Sylmar converter, CA
34.3125, -118.4811 · 230 kV
Sources and method
Readings come from BPA and CAISO interface readings. Each value is shown with its operator and source time; direction is normalized from that operator’s sign convention toward or away from BPA. A rating describes the equipment; an operator’s posted directional limit, when available, is a separate operating value. The map point identifies a sourced terminal or crossing where available, or a representative connection point; it does not trace the full route.