Building a More Reliable Grid System

Despite Superstorm Sandy hitting the middle of the East Shore Upgrade Project, a state-of-the-art distribution substation for the New Haven region was installed on time. Learn more at http://bv.com/ar

[Transcript]

Yan Lachowicz: It was determined that we needed to add capacity in the New Haven area. We were identifying assets that were beyond their useful service life and replacing those assets as part of that project. Our vision was to install an upgraded state-of-the-art distribution substation that would supply safe and reliable power for the people of New Haven.
Working within an existing substation footprint presents multiple challenges. Since we didn't have the desired space to install the equipment that we planned on installing, Black & Veatch identified several configurations that would address United Illuminating's needs without compromising operability, reliability, and most importantly, safety. United Illuminating and Black & Veatch have a long history of working together and having that good relationship really made a huge difference in this project.

Mark Vance: It was a very rewarding experience working with United Illuminating on the East Shore Projects to collaborate and put together a successful plan that we implemented. The most complex part of this project was the ability to keep the substation energized while we were doing construction. We utilized low headroom pile driving rigs, and also we slid the transformers and PDCs in.

Yan Lachowicz: Back in October of 2012, Superstorm Sandy hit the Northeast with massive devastation. United Illuminating was faced with significant restoration efforts that ultimately lasted for days. Black & Veatch, along with its contractors, assisted United Illuminated with those restoration efforts. As a team we were able to overcome those challenges without significant impact to the schedule.

Mark Vance: With the new upgrades, we're going to be able to provide reliable electricity to a very demanding area. It's been one of the most rewarding projects that I've worked on due to not only the client that we're dealing with, but it's also the fact of the challenges that we were able face and overcome - made it a very rewarding project.

Yan Lachowicz: and I was impressed by everybody having the same vision with regards to reaching the objective, which was to build the substation, do it safely, and successfully, and I believe we accomplished that.

Видео Building a More Reliable Grid System канала Black & Veatch