ConEd Makes $1.5 Billion Investment in Grid Modernization
June 3, 2021 -- Con Edison has completed projects throughout New York City and Westchester County to maintain its network reliability while continuing to lead the state's shift toward renewables and other clean technologies. The company invested $1.5 billion on new cable, transformers, network protectors, switches and other components that make its electric-delivery system robust.
Meanwhile, the company continues to lead New York State's transition to a low-carbon, clean energy future. Con Edison is adding energy storage to its system and investing in transmission to bring renewable energy to customers. The company is helping customers save with energy efficiency programs, connect solar panels and adopt electric vehicles.
'We are making targeted investments based on data and metrics to keep our service reliable while leading the transition to a low-carbon future with cleaner air and water, better health and an economy driven by green jobs,' said Matthew Ketschke, the president of Con Edison. 'We are optimistic about our region's economic and environmental prospects as we emerge from the enormous challenges the pandemic has posed.'
'The perseverance of New Yorkers has placed our region on the cusp of a recovery from the health crisis,' he said. 'Their desire for clean energy will help keep our region safe and sustainable for generations to come.'
Con Edison crews have installed 22 new network transformers, 120 overhead transformers, 54 sections of underground cable, 175 spans of overhead wire and 139 utility poles in preparation for the summer. Con Edison also continues to invest in resiliency with a project that will place lines serving about 200 customers underground in areas of Queens, Staten Island and Westchester County.
A project to improve reliability in southeast Staten Island includes the replacement of 26 spans of open wire conductor with 46 spans of aerial cable. It also includes the installation of 21 poles, 2 manholes, and 5 overhead transformer replacements.
In White Plains, the company is replacing 49 spans of wire that are overloaded during times of high demand for power.
In addition, Con Edison has developed technology and procedures to limit the number of customers on the overhead electric-delivery system who could lose service when a cable or substation equipment fails due to excessive heat and demand for power.
The company's operators can open switches on the overhead system in areas of Brooklyn, Queens and the Bronx to prevent power from shifting from failed cables and onto other cables that remain in service. That prevents the cables still in service from becoming overloaded.
Summer Bills
The company projects summer electricity costs for the typical Westchester County residential customer will be higher this summer due to increased supply charges by power generators and an increase in delivery charges that went into effect earlier this year. But supply charges are projected to drop for residential customers in New York City.
Con Edison does not make a profit on these supply charges. The company buys power on the market from generators and provides it to customers at cost.
A typical Westchester residential customer using 500 kilowatt hours per month can expect an average increase of 6.5 percent from $122.32 in 2020 to $130.31. A typical New York City residential customer using 350 kilowatt hours per month can expect a 4.2-percent decrease from $106.58 in 2020 to $102.11 in the June-to-September period.
A New York City business customer using 10,800 kilowatt hours with a peak demand of 31 kilowatts can expect average monthly summer bills to increase from $2,234.89 in 2020 to $2,497.75 this year.
In recognition of the hardship the pandemic has created for many customers, Con Edison last year suspended turnoffs for non-payment and is waiving new late fees. The company offers payment plans for customers having trouble paying their bill.
Con Edison projects that demand for power this summer could peak at 12,880 megawatts under design weather conditions. Last summer's peak of 11,740 megawatts occurred at 2 p.m. on July 28. The 2020 peak was driven down by the closure of many businesses and office buildings. The record is 13,322 megawatts, which occurred at 5 p.m. on July 19, 2013.
If demand for power places stress on the delivery system, the company can take special steps such as rolling generators to neighborhoods. Operators can also reduce voltage or move power among cables to prevent any from becoming overloaded.
Source: Con Edison
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