The Engineering Team provides experienced professionals to evaluate control rooms as related to human performance. Many times, forced outages are caused by human error. We determine if the appropriate controls and displays in control rooms are available for safe and efficient plant operations. We pinpoint problems that assist in the development of corrective actions. Our services include review and analysis of the following:
Typically, three to seven percent of the output of a generating plant is consumed by the electrical equipment of its auxiliary systems. Optimizing the performance of the equipment minimizes the energy used and makes more energy available for sale. With a working understanding of the equipment, the Engineering Team originates the technical specifications that provide the requirements for the equipment.
The Engineering Team is versed in station auxiliary system conceptual and detail design. Their primary function is to provide electrical system modeling expertise needed to review new or retrofit plant designs. These models are used to study the electrical system using methods found in ANSI/IEEE guides and standards, EPRI references, equipment manufacturer’s recommendations, and other technical resources.
In the initial design of a plant auxiliary system, models are used to confirm the adequacy of the proposed electrical layout allowing the desired margins for future load growth. During the life of a plant, the plant electrical auxiliary system undergoes load changes as systems are added or modified. These plant models are then used to review the adequacy of the revised design, including its impact on the existing plant loads. The results of these studies are often used in determining the ratings for detail specifications of new transformers and switchgear.
Several in-house computer programs are available, depending upon the type of study needed. These programs are developed and maintained by the Engineering Team's Electrical and Controls Engineers. The most common study requested is a steady-state review of the power distribution system; dynamic and/or transient electrical analysis are also available if required.
The Engineering Team's engineers are qualified to perform a variety of designs, analyses, computer modeling, and testing for transmission, distribution, substation, and generating plant systems. Typical services are described as follows:
The system circuit breaker fault duty application studies can be used to maximize the life of equipment by optimizing its use throughout the power system. Using several industry-wide and in-house computer programs, power systems can be modeled in detail. Short-circuit analysis can be performed, and circuit breaker fault duty margins can be determined according to design requirements. Circuit breaker fault duty margins can then be used to determine which breakers or circuit switches may be called upon to operate in an over-stressed or marginal condition, and which breakers or circuit switchers should be considered for replacement. A future case can be maintained for future planning and budgeting considerations. Transient recovery voltage (TRV) studies can be performed to ensure the proper application of system circuit breakers. Coordinating a breaker’s TRV capability and the power system’s TRV eliminates the possibility of restrike, improving the reliability of the breaker and substation.
Other substation equipment studies can be performed to ensure the maximum reliability for any substation. Through many forms of short-circuit analysis and load flow calculations, proper bus sizing and disconnect switch sizing can be determined.
Transients due to switching surges and lightning can be detrimental to any grid connected power plant. A transient analysis computer program can be used to perform a variety of load-switching studies, power factor correction studies, capacitor-switching studies, and lightning arrester application and insulation coordination studies. With information collected from the plant site and design, the electrical system can be modeled and designed to meet system response requirements during specified transient conditions.
Cathodic protection is a relatively inexpensive way to combat corrosion. The Engineering Team experts have been involved in cathodic protection design, evaluation, and system checkout for a variety of systems, such as underground storage tanks, above-ground storage tanks, buried pipelines, plant sites, and condenser water boxes.
The Engineering Team has a wealth of experience to offer in support of substation and transmission analysis. While each substation design package is prepared to precisely meet the client’s specific requirements, a typical package includes the following elements, each with full construction details:
The Engineering Team’s transmission equipment experts keep current on the industry’s ever-changing equipment technology and material, as well as applicable American National Standards Institute (ANSI) and Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) standards, Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI) references, and other technical resources. Beginning with specification, evaluation, and procurement, on through the useful life of purchased equipment, this expertise is combined with knowledge of system design and operation characteristics to ensure cost-effective decisions in equipment selection and application.
The Engineering Team's engineers have designed, built, and analyzed hundreds of structures and their foundations for fossil, hydroelectric, nuclear, and Combustion Turbines generating plants. This work encompasses all types and aspects of structural design and analysis including the application of applicable civil/structural and building codes such as the Uniform Building Code (UBC), American Concrete Institute (ACI), and the American Institute of Steel Construction (AISC). For many of these structures, qualification analysis of extreme loads such as seismic, wind, and tornado loads have been performed.
The Engineering Team's geotechnical engineer has developed unique and specialized skills to respond to customer requests, including:
The Engineering Team provides a full scope of geotechnical consulting services to meet the special challenges clients face today. Major plant facilities and earthen structures associated with fluid impoundment and waste material treatment and storage all come in contact with the ground and thus must be designed for safe containment, foundation stability, long life under potential chemical attack, and structural integrity.
Soil-related services applied to environmental problems include field investigations, laboratory testing, report preparation, design, specification and drawing preparation, and construction support. Owner perspective is emphasized, with attention given to cost-effective design and schedule considerations. Investigative techniques are used to the customer’s advantage to optimize design and project cost savings.
The Engineering Team has produced innovative designs using a blend of geosynthetic technologies to address site-specific challenges. Earth materials for waste impoundment, landfills, and associated water and waste control facilities are becoming scarce and of lower quality as natural resources become depleted.
Effective application of synthetic products used with local soils and rock can yield stronger, less compressible, and less permeable material for construction, and for use in increasingly smaller area.
The Engineering Team's engineers provides design and technical support for the installation of liners and caps for storage ponds and landfills. In addition, technical support is provided for ground stabilization and settlement control of earth fill structures. Evaluations and recommendations encompass site specific details, material selection, cost effectiveness, schedules, and quality assurance. The Engineering Team's engineers keep abreast of the geosynthetics products regarding quality and state-of-the-art application.