Gravel Pit Solar Collector Substation and Switchyard ^Substation

E.S. Boulos Company (E.S. Boulos) provided the design, procurement, and construction services for the engineer-procure-construct (EPC) delivery of the Gravel Pit Solar Switchyard and Collector System, which connected our client’s new 120MW AC solar facility in East Windsor to the grid throughout Eversource’s transmission system.

The Gravel Pit Solar Collector was constructed as a new 115/34.5kV open-air substation. Solar generation was collected at the station using five 34.5kV collection lines with five corresponding breaker positions on a 34.5kV bus system. Two 34.5k-115kV, 220MVA power transformers, supplied by D.E. Shaw Renewable Investments (DESRI), step up the generation voltage for export to the adjacent Eversource Interconnection Station.

The Eversource 115kV Interconnect Switching Station was built with a 115kV three-breaker open-air bus arrangement interconnecting the existing Eversource 115kV 1200 line. Upon completion, ownership was transferred to Eversource.

The switchyard and collector substation have standalone relate and control enclosures to house the protection and control equipment, auxiliary AC and DC power equipment, and telecommunication equipment.