Contributed by Burns & McDonnell team
An aging and congested transmission system has hindered New York’s transition to renewable energy, restricting the efficient delivery of clean power from upstate wind and solar installations to downstate consumers, while delaying the state’s ambitious goal of achieving 50% renewable energy by 2030.
The New York Energy Solution project, owned by New York Transco, a transmission infrastructure developer based in New York focused on enhancing bulk power facilities across the state, would need to alleviate these challenges by upgrading the transmission infrastructure.
Regulatory approvals would require the new transmission lines to maintain heights similar to the existing lines to minimize visual and environmental impact. Another significant challenge would be maintaining grid reliability throughout construction, which would necessitate a highly coordinated outage plan to keep multiple 115-kV transmission lines energized while infrastructure upgrades were underway. Any disruptions could affect critical substations and end users, making precise scheduling and execution essential.
Aligning with the priorities and technical standards of four different transmission owners, each with distinct operational constraints and regulatory requirements, would call for continuous coordination and engagement. Further complicating execution, lingering effects of the COVID-19 pandemic would disrupt the supply chain and affect material availability, necessitating proactive management to keep the project on schedule.
To overcome these obstacles, the project required meticulous planning, innovative engineering solutions and seamless coordination among stakeholders.
The solution
To strengthen New York’s transmission infrastructure while minimizing environmental and community impact, New York Transco selected Burns & McDonnell to provide engineer-procure-construct (EPC) services for the 55-mile transmission upgrade within the existing right-of-way.
The project involved replacing the existing double-circuit 115-kV transmission line with a new double-circuit 345-kV/115-kV line, increasing grid capacity and improving reliability. The upgrade also included the development of the new Knickerbocker Switching Station, a 345-kV facility engineered to route high-voltage electricity more efficiently. Additionally, the Churchtown Switching Station was rebuilt and modernized as a 115-kV facility, enhancing system resilience and operational flexibility.
At the Pleasant Valley Substation, which houses both 345-kV and 115-kV facilities, upgrades accommodated increased power flow and integrated the new transmission lines into the grid. To further enhance system efficiency and stability, the project included construction of the Van Wagner Capacitor Bank Station, a 345-kV facility to support voltage regulation and improve power quality.
To meet permitting requirements and address community concerns, the project team designed the new double-circuit 345-kV/115-kV transmission line to similar heights of the existing 115-kV infrastructure. Maintaining grid reliability during construction remained a top priority. The team developed a detailed outage plan to keep multiple 115-kV transmission lines energized throughout the process. Careful sequencing of activities kept power flowing to critical substations, preventing service disruptions.
Burns & McDonnell aligned vested parties, maintaining project efficiency while meeting technical and regulatory requirements. Despite industrywide supply chain disruptions, the team took a proactive approach to procurement. Strategic planning and vendor partnerships secured key components on time, keeping the project within budget and schedule.
Beyond these facility upgrades, the project included replacing 2.2 miles of 115-kV transmission line and reconductoring a 0.8-mile double-circuit 345-kV transmission line to optimize performance and reduce bottlenecks. These enhancements strengthened New York’s bulk power system, supporting the state’s renewable energy goals while improving grid reliability.
The results
The New York Energy Solution project has reinforced the state’s transmission infrastructure and enabled additional integration of renewable energy.
Key achievements for this project include:
- 1.2 million work hours without a lost time incident, demonstrating a strong safety culture.
- Enhanced grid efficiency through reduced congestion, allowing more renewable energy to flow from upstate to downstate New York.
- Support of state efforts to reduce carbon emissions.
- Energized six months ahead of schedule.
- Beyond technical improvements, the project created jobs, boosted local economies and reduced reliance on fossil fuels. By facilitating the delivery of renewable energy, this project played a critical role in lowering greenhouse gas emissions and helps position New York as a leader in sustainable energy infrastructure.
The New York Energy Solution project serves as a model for large-scale transmission modernization, demonstrating how advanced engineering, strategic execution and collaboration can deliver safe, effective and efficient clean energy solutions.
By overcoming significant engineering, regulatory and logistical challenges, this project sets a new national standard for transmission infrastructure upgrades, paving the way for a more resilient, efficient and renewable-powered grid.
