Bangor and Presque Isle, ME— Versant Power completed several large projects throughout our service territory last year in an ongoing effort to improve system reliability.
This spring, crews completed a three-year improvement project at the Orrington substation. The substation serves the high voltage transmission system that transports bulk power through Versant's service territory. Improvements included a new control house and equipment within it, new circuit breakers and associated protective devices.
At the end of May, crews energized a new transformer at University of Maine’s east substation. The new transformer helps facilitate load growth and reliability, ensuring new campus infrastructure, like the planned Morse Arena for men’s and women’s basketball, can be carried on the campus electrical system.
This summer, crews updated the Ellsworth Falls substation with new equipment, which included replacing a 73-year-old transformer, the oldest on Versant’s system. The upgrade ensures more reliable service to over 9,000 customers through Ellsworth, Deer Isle, Brooklin, Blue Hill, Surry and Brooksville.
In August, Bangor customers who receive power from the Broadway substation benefited from added animal protection equipment at the site. A squirrel-deterrent fence was installed at the substation that delivers a humane and effective electric shock and deters animals before they can enter dangerous areas and cause service disruptions. More of the fences are planned to be installed at substations this year.
This fall, Versant crews prepared the Boggy Brook substation in Ellsworth to accommodate new equipment. An incoming device, called a synchronous condenser, will be the first of its kind on Versant’s transmission system. The 12-foot-tall, 100-ton device adds stability to the system, coupling electrical properties with physical characteristics.
Watch the video here to see a time lapse video of work to date at Boggy Brook.
In December, reliability work was completed in Somesville that included an upgrade to poles, wires, and protective devices. Line work in areas that are highly traveled in the summer, like MDI, are typically scheduled in winter months to have minimal traffic impact.
Sections of aging line in Aroostook County were replaced in 2023, including a one-mile stretch of line in Wallagrass.
Versant crews continue to work on reliability projects year-round and their safety is our top priority. Please remember to slow down in work zones and give our crews the space they need to work safely as they work to better serve you.
This spring, crews completed a three-year improvement project at the Orrington substation. The substation serves the high voltage transmission system that transports bulk power through Versant's service territory. Improvements included a new control house and equipment within it, new circuit breakers and associated protective devices.
At the end of May, crews energized a new transformer at University of Maine’s east substation. The new transformer helps facilitate load growth and reliability, ensuring new campus infrastructure, like the planned Morse Arena for men’s and women’s basketball, can be carried on the campus electrical system.
This summer, crews updated the Ellsworth Falls substation with new equipment, which included replacing a 73-year-old transformer, the oldest on Versant’s system. The upgrade ensures more reliable service to over 9,000 customers through Ellsworth, Deer Isle, Brooklin, Blue Hill, Surry and Brooksville.
In August, Bangor customers who receive power from the Broadway substation benefited from added animal protection equipment at the site. A squirrel-deterrent fence was installed at the substation that delivers a humane and effective electric shock and deters animals before they can enter dangerous areas and cause service disruptions. More of the fences are planned to be installed at substations this year.
This fall, Versant crews prepared the Boggy Brook substation in Ellsworth to accommodate new equipment. An incoming device, called a synchronous condenser, will be the first of its kind on Versant’s transmission system. The 12-foot-tall, 100-ton device adds stability to the system, coupling electrical properties with physical characteristics.
Watch the video here to see a time lapse video of work to date at Boggy Brook.
In December, reliability work was completed in Somesville that included an upgrade to poles, wires, and protective devices. Line work in areas that are highly traveled in the summer, like MDI, are typically scheduled in winter months to have minimal traffic impact.
Sections of aging line in Aroostook County were replaced in 2023, including a one-mile stretch of line in Wallagrass.
Versant crews continue to work on reliability projects year-round and their safety is our top priority. Please remember to slow down in work zones and give our crews the space they need to work safely as they work to better serve you.