COVER STORY
Energy Efficiency and Resiliency Fuel Development in New Jersey
Servicing New Jersey poses unique challenges for a utility .
By Diane C . Walsh Contributing Editor
Jersey Central Power and Light ( JCP & L ) has embarked on a $ 203 million energy efficient program that will continue through at least the next three years to bring energy audits , energy consultations and appliance rebates for upgrades to its residential and commercial customers .
Jim Fakult , president of JCP & L , says the efficiency program has “ specific targets and goals to achieve for the utility to be sure the investment we are making on behalf of our customers pays dividends .”
In discussing the impact utilities have on New Jersey ’ s development , Fakult highlights the firm ’ s efficiency program . Throughout the industry , Fakult says there is a focus on renewable energy and enhancing efficiencies . The New Jersey Master Plan creates a greater emphasis on energy and the utility executive has no doubt that it will increase over time .
There is an adage in the industry that the “ cheapest kilowatt or megawatt to generate
JCP & L is the second-largest electric utility in the state , serving 1.1 million customers across 3,200 square miles of Northern and Central New Jersey . Pictured : A JCP & L Careers in Utilities Event
26 COMMERCE www . commercemagnj . com
Photo : JCP & L is the one you don ’ t use ,” Fakult notes . “ It sets the tone with regard to the importance of energy efficiency .”
JCP & L is the second-largest electric utility in the state , serving 1.1 million customers across 3,200 square miles of Northern and Central New Jersey . The territory stretches over 235 towns and in parts or all of 13 of the state ’ s 21 counties . In 2020 the firm paid $ 6 million in state and local taxes and it employs 1,500 workers .
Servicing New Jersey poses unique challenges , Fakult says , noting the geography changes from the coastline , which has been battered by tropical storms , and hurricanes in the past few years , to rugged rural areas , which frequently experience high winds , ice and snow .
Since the state was racked by Superstorm Sandy and Irene nearly a decade ago , JCP & L has made extensive investments in its infrastructure to enhance resilience and reliability and the work is continuing . A five-year project to rebuild and reinforce the Monmouth County sub-transmission system over 63 miles is set to get underway with a pricetag of $ 220 million .
Fakult says there are also plans for a $ 60 million upgrade to the Montville-Whippany substation in Morris County . He says his company learned much from the damage caused by Sandy and Irene . Automatic flood walls now have been installed extensively to protect the substations . When Ida pummeled the state with 10 inches of rain in September , Fakult proudly notes that not a single customer lost service due to substation flooding .
Efforts to enhance the system ’ s reliability have also included extensive tree trimming to remove the possibility of fallen limbs breaking power lines and disrupting services . Thousands of “ trip-saver fuses ” were also installed on the power lines and they will automatically reset in case of outage . JCP & L also has a request before the state Board of Public Utilities ( BPU ) to approve a $ 400 million investment to install “ smart meters ” that will give automatic readings and remove the guesswork from outages . Under the existing system , the utility must rely on customers calling in to report power failures .
There is also a “ smart grid project ” that has bee piloted in Morris County , which eliminates the problem of outages by triggering circuits to take over in situations where others have failed .
One of the most innovative projects on the company ’ s drawing board is JCP & L ’ s foray into alternative energy . It is working alongside
JCP & L President James V . Fakult
Mid-Atlantic Offshore Development ( MAOD ) in a proposal to deliver offshore wind energy to 1.5 million homes .
MAOD is a joint venture between Shell New Energies and EDF Renewables North America . New Jersey has set a goal of facilitating delivery of 7,500 megawatts of offshore wind power by 2035 .
JCP & L applied to PJM , which manages the electricity grid , and the state BPU for approval of the delivery system it is developing with MAOD . The project demands an investment of more than $ 1 billion . Fakult says MAOD will be providing the cables to route the power from the windfarms to the shoreline . JCP & L will use its existing transmission lines to bring the electricity to its customers , minimizing impacts on communities and the environment by avoiding greenfield development .
“ We ’ re willing to invest and we believe in it ,” explains the company president , adding that the project will create good-paying union jobs . “ We ’ ll all benefit from renewable offshore clean energy in New Jersey ” he says .
The BPU is expected to make its decision in the coming year .