Connecticut Light & Power Explores Sustainable Solutions

There is a general understanding of what makes a sustainable building, but what makes a sustainable power substation? It could imply a design that minimizes resource depletion (or maximizes recycling), reduces the impact of pollutants and waste, minimizes the destruction of nature and encourages the use of renewable energy alternatives.

In response to society's push for environmentally friendly practices, Connecticut Light & Power is partnering with Burns & McDonnell to explore the possibilities of integrating common sustainable design strategies into its substation design standards.

The January issue of Transmission & Distribution World features an article on how Connecticut Light & Power is incorporating environmental considerations into substation design. The article reports that CL&P evaluated a variety of sustainable design strategies for future substation projects, including stormwater management, material strategies, control building optimization and electric vehicle (EV) integration. The study was rounded out with an evaluation of public education and awareness opportunities.

Substation buildings are unique in that they have little or no occupancy for the vast majority of their service life. This makes a cost-effective use of higher-efficiency devices, such as lighting, more challenging from a first-cost perspective.

The authors,  Ken Bowes, Connecticut Light & Power, and Jim Hogan, Burns & McDonnell, also contend that educating the public about the sustainability measures implemented is an important part of any sustainability project.