Potomac Edison finishes two distribution automation projects in Maryland
Potomac Edison completed two new distribution automation projects designed to reduce service interruptions for its customers in Maryland.
How they work is, the distribution automation projects will automatically switch customers to an adjacent power line if there are outages. This will help minimize the impact of power outages. The work was done in the Brunswick and Cumberland areas and will benefit 6,483 customers along 101 circuit miles served by Potomac Edison.
The two projects cost a combined $2.6 million. The work included the installation of nine automated reclosers, new line regulators for voltage support, and reconductoring and line construction in various places along the circuits.
“These enhancements to our system will generate meaningful benefits by improving our service restoration capabilities and reducing the impact of severe weather events experienced by thousands of our customers,” James A. Sears, Jr., president of FirstEnergy’s Maryland operations, said. Potomac Energy is a subsidiary of FirstEnergy.
Potomac Edison completed two automation projects in the Frederick and Cumberland areas in 2019. Further, the company is planning four additional automation projects that are expected to be completed over the next two years. The two scheduled for 2021 are in the New Windsor and McHenry areas.
Potomac Edison is also working to improve reliability by replacing approximately 50 miles of underground electrical cable each year and installing 15 new substation recloser replacements annually.
Potomac Edison serves about 270,000 customers in Allegany, Carroll, Frederick, Garrett, Howard, Montgomery, and Washington counties. The company also serves about 145,000 customers in the Eastern Panhandle of West Virginia.
