Powering New York’s clean energy future
New York is upgrading its aging transmission grid to reduce congestion, improve reliability, and deliver clean energy from upstate to downstate communities.
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USA, New York: To meet its goal of 50 % renewable energy by 2030, New York needed to modernize its aging transmission network, which had become a bottleneck for delivering clean energy from upstate wind and solar projects to downstate consumers.
The New York Energy Solution project, led by New York Transco, tackled this issue by upgrading a 88 km (55 mi) stretch of transmission lines within an existing right-of-way. Burns & McDonnell provided engineer-procure-construct (EPC) services, replacing old 115 kV lines with new double-circuit 345-kV/115 kV infrastructure. Key facilities like the Knickerbocker and Churchtown Switching Stations were built or upgraded to enhance operational flexibility and grid resilience. The Pleasant Valley Substation and Van Wagner Capacitor Bank Station also received critical improvements to handle increased power flow and improve voltage regulation.
To minimize environmental and visual impact, the new lines were constructed at similar heights to the existing infrastructure. A detailed outage plan ensured power reliability during construction, while proactive procurement strategies helped navigate supply chain disruptions.
The project was energized six months early, delivering reduced congestion, improved reliability, and better integration of renewables. It also contributed to economic growth, job creation, and emissions reduction. With over 1.2 million safe work hours logged, the New York Energy Solution stands as a national model for modernizing transmission systems and accelerating the clean energy transition.
Source: Renewable Energy World
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