DuBois & King electrical engineers provided construction administration services, following design services, for the complete rebuild of Washington Electric Co-op’s East Montpelier substation. The project objective was to demolish and replace an existing outdated substation in the same location with a modern, slightly larger, and more efficient facility. The new facility was designed to provide more reliable electric service to approximately 1,640 Washington Electric Co-op members, as well as provide adequate space for future growth.

The project included replacing the existing wooden substation structure and equipment with a galvanized steel structure, three new 1,667 kVA low-loss power transformers, individual circuit regulation, remote monitoring equipment, and solid-state single/three-phase fault protection. The existing overhead distribution feeder exiting the substation was placed underground to the first preexisting distribution pole. The design included oil spill containment in accordance with USDA Rural Utilities Service. In addition to the substation structure, a 12-ft by 8-ft concrete block control building that houses relays and metering equipment was constructed.

D&K engineers worked closely with the Co-op on the development of a construction delivery approach that utilized Co-op labor to complete much of the construction, resulting in considerable cost savings.