High and Dry: JCP&L Substation Investments Keeping Electricity Flowing During Storms

When Superstorm Sandy slammed into New Jersey in 2012, torrential rains led to flooding at 18 Jersey Central Power & Light (JCP&L) substations.

Floodwaters can be especially damaging to substations – water shorts out electrical equipment, and debris carried by the floodwater creates the need for additional, sometimes extensive, repairs. Outages caused by substation flooding can affect tens of thousands of customers. 

To help mitigate flooding risk with future storms, JCP&L invested $16.1 million as part of its Reliability Plus infrastructure investment plan to keep substation equipment dry during major weather events. At 20 substations around the state, flood walls were built, equipment was raised above flood-stage height and real-time monitoring equipment was installed.

“Superstorm Sandy showed us just how destructive Mother Nature can be, especially when it comes to flooding. Taking these measures, which don’t require advanced technology, has proven effective,” said James Fakult, president of New Jersey operations for FirstEnergy. “Our customers have already seen the benefits of this investment and will continue to see it as New Jersey remains vulnerable to strong coastal storms.” 

At some substations, work involved raising critical equipment on poles and stands to keep it well above historical flood levels. At substations in Monmouth, Sussex and Essex counties, permanent flood walls were built and four-foot tall, L-shaped waterproof gates were installed. Pressure from rising water causes the gates to raise up automatically, requiring no electrical sensors, switches or operator action. Photos of the flood walls can be seen on Flickr.

JCP&L’s substation enhancements were tested over the past two years when the state experienced widespread flooding from Tropical Storm Henri and the once-in-a-century rains from the remnants of Hurricane Ida. They passed with flying colors – not a single JCP&L customer lost electricity due to flooding at substations during those storms. 

Reliability Plus also helped JCP&L strengthen its substation network through the purchase of a 115kV mobile substation. The mobile substation can be prepositioned in areas expecting high demand, such as New Jersey’s barrier islands during the summer months, or moved to help keep electricity on for customers during repairs or maintenance at substations.

JCP&L’s recent substation reliability investments are only one part of an ongoing effort to enhance reliability for customers through infrastructure improvements. In both the central and northern New Jersey service areas, projects are underway to add redundancy to the power lines that connect substations and create a more robust energy grid. Future investments will modernize the company’s electrical infrastructure with smart grid technology. 

News Media Contact: Chris Hoenig, (609) 350-8599