NORTH BRUNSWICK — The switching station upgrade construction project will help PSE&G (Public Service Electric and Gas Company) continue to deliver safe, highly reliable electric service for customers well into the future.
A switching station is comprised of electrical infrastructure and facility equipment that will be used to tie together two or more electric circuits through switches. The switches are selectively arranged to permit a circuit to be disconnected or to change the electric connection between the circuits, according to information provided by PSE&G.
“It breaks it down to a voltage a house can use; high voltage is too high to use,” said Kevin M. Kimbo, manager of state transmission outreach & strategy.
Since the existing station on Victory Avenue off of Route 130 was built in the 1950s and has not had a major overhaul since, representatives from PSE&G presented information on the project – which will begin next year and go into service in 2018 – during a public workshop at the North Brunswick Municipal Building on July 23.
As part of the PJM (Pennsylvania-New Jersey-Maryland) Regional Transmission Expansion Plan, the additions and improvements will enhance electric transmission system reliability in the North Brunswick area while meeting power quality requirements in the region. Kimbo said this is necessary because of storm protection, and because customers require more electricity use nowadays than in decades past.
“It will help with future demand,” said Frank J. Lucchesi, regional public affairs manager for PSE&G.
The project will reconfigure the 34.58- acre Brunswick Station’s 230,000 volt switch yard, eliminate the existing 138,000 volt switch yard and construct a new 69,000 volt switch yard to connect this station to the Bennetts Lane substation in Somerset.
The reconfiguration work includes the installation of new monopoles as well as modifications to the existing electronic equipment. Some wires will be moved underground.
“As a result of the storms we’ve had, we’re upgrading in the event of future storms – and we know we will [have them] – to increase reliability to prevent outages,” Kimbo said.
Kimbo said that there will not be many changes that will affect residents.
“From a landscape perspective, it’s probably going to protect the properties even more,” he noted about the line of evergreen trees that will be planted once construction is through. He also said that sound from the station will be reduced.
No service interruptions are expected during construction, according to project manager Gladys Durand.
The project will cost an estimated $112 million, with the cost spread amongst 51 million people in 13 states, Lucchesi said.
For updated information, visit www.pseg.com/nbrunswick or call 1-877- 462-0005.
Contact Jennifer Amato at jamato@gmnews.com.