EDR and our client, National Grid, are thrilled to have recently received formal approval from the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC) for an innovative stormwater management design solution for substations. Substations are typically constructed on confined sites, and standard stormwater management practices often require a substantial footprint that may exceed the available space on a given site. In 2012, EDR initiated research and design of alternative cross-section designs that incorporates stormwater management into the substation pad, minimizing the need for additional stormwater management outside of the substation footprint. Our Civil Engineering team then collaborated with National Grid and State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry (SUNY ESF) to do material testing, develop many iterations of cross-sections, and build a test plot on SUNY ESF’s property in Tully (Onondaga County, New York). In February 2016, the NYSDEC provided verbal approval to begin using the cross-sections for new projects. EDR has subsequently designed five new substations and two substation expansions for National Grid that employ this innovative method. One of these, constructed in 2016, is functioning well, providing proof-of-concept that this design solution is an effective means to manage stormwater within the footprint of the substation pad. EDR Project Engineer, Carolyne Bean, presented this project at the 2016 New York Water Environment Association (NYWEA) annual conference, held in February of last year. We are very pleased to be able to offer this alternative stormwater management solution to National Grid and to other utility clients, which we anticipate will expedite regulatory reviews and approvals for substation projects.
Congratulations to our Civil Engineering Team for this achievement!
For More Information
Carolyne Bean, EIT, CPESC | Project Engineer[email protected]