As a result of The United Illuminating Company’s study of its regional electric load growth, it was determined that capacity needed to be added in the New Haven, Connecticut, area. The company went further to also identify assets that were beyond their useful service life and replace those assets as part of that project.
Black & Veatch provided preliminary engineering for each of the multiple upgrade projects at The United Illuminating Company’s East Shore Substation. When the projects proceeded to the execution phase, Black & Veatch worked with The United Illuminating team to complete detailed physical and protection design, as well as control design. Black & Veatch also helped procure required equipment and complete construction under multiple engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) contracts.
“We were trying to build the new substation within an existing substation while it was energized, so we needed to have some very creative solutions. Black & Veatch was able to develop innovative solutions and finish the project on time."
Yan Lachowicz, Senior Project Manager, The United Illuminating Company
Seven Substations
In October 2012, Superstorm Sandy hit the Northeast United States with massive devastation. United Illuminating was faced with significant restoration efforts. In the aftermath, United Illuminating decided to take action to improve service restoration times during and after natural disasters.
United Illuminating turned to Black & Veatch for a temporary solution, which included upgrades to seven substations near the coast. The hardened projects protect the facilities from storm surges with storm walls, sump pumps, backup generators and cameras to remotely monitor substation conditions. Black & Veatch’s solution meets the utility’s requirement to protect the substations from storm surges three feet higher than those experienced in Superstorm Sandy.
