As one of the nation’s largest investor‑owned energy providers, Con Edison operates a vast network of substations critical to powering New York City and its surrounding communities. To advance environmental protection and system resilience, STV served as designer on a design‑build team for spill prevention, control and countermeasure (SPCC) upgrades at 21 Con Edison substations across Westchester County, the Bronx and Manhattan. The program focused on modernizing containment systems to prevent oil migration and protect sensitive soil and ecological areas in the event of equipment failure.
What challenges did STV address?
Con Edison’s substation network spans aging facilities in densely developed areas, requiring carefully engineered containment improvements that could be installed with minimal operational disruption. Each substation presented unique spatial and environmental constraints, including limited below‑grade access and the need to accommodate critical energized equipment while enhancing spill protection measures.
What solutions did STV deliver?
STV designed new below‑grade concrete moats and upgraded secondary containment systems tailored to each site’s conditions. These improvements were engineered to limit the release of oil into surrounding soil and prevent migration during catastrophic equipment failure. The designs supported the design‑build team’s construction approach, enabling efficient installation across multiple substations while meeting strict environmental and operational requirements.
How does this project benefit the region?
The upgraded containment systems strengthen environmental safeguards throughout New York’s energy infrastructure, reducing contamination risks and enhancing resilience. These measures help ensure safer operations, protect local ecosystems and support long‑term reliability for millions of residents and businesses that rely on Con Edison’s grid.
Key stats and accolades
- SPCC upgrades at 21 substations
- New below‑grade containment moats
- Enhanced secondary containment systems
- Designed to prevent oil migration into soil and surrounding areas
