Bill Durham, a transmission customer relations representative for the LCRA (Lower Colorado River Authority), and LCRA staff briefed the Llano City Council on a recent electrical system study and its recommended projects.

The system study is "an electrical power flow study," LCRA presenter Ryan White said, describing a georeferenced model that compares system conditions against criteria for voltage, conductor capacity and power factor. The study identified about 20 recommended projects aimed at optimizing efficiency and preparing the system for future load growth.

The study found that Llano City's system "met all those criteria," White said, adding that the recommendations are intended to address capacity and reliability needs. He described the report as a comprehensive snapshot and roadmap: "If you were to go to a doctor, this would be kind of your medical records for that system." The presentation noted safety-related items such as arc-flash analysis and other protections for line crews.

Council members asked about cost estimates and prioritization. Durham and White described the figures in the report as rough, budgetary estimates that will be refined when projects advance to design. White said some near-term projects are simpler and can be completed without full design work, while larger projects require design before costs can be nailed down. He said the study prioritized near-term items that can be implemented more quickly and said the study also examines contingency scenarios, such as the loss of a major feeder, and recommends upgrades to enable rerouting of power.

LCRA staff told the council that eight of the recommended projects had already been completed while the agency was finishing the study. Council members and staff discussed that completing those projects during the study is "very proactive," and one council member said the city planned to set aside funds for conductor work.

The presentation did not include a council vote. LCRA staff invited questions and said staff would provide further detail on design and cost estimates if the city opts to move specific projects forward.

Details from the study presented to the council included the number of recommended projects (about 20), the portion already completed (eight), and that cost figures are preliminary and dependent on design. The LCRA presenters emphasized that the study's primary objectives are efficiency, reliability and preparing the system for future load growth.