Provost Reliability Upgrades
Provost Reliability Upgrades
PROJECT SNAPSHOT
Project Name | Provost Reliability Upgrades
Owner | AltaLink
Client’s Name | Burns and McDonnell (BMcD)
Location | Near Provost, AB
Date / Project Timeline / Delivery | June 2020 to April 2021, completed on time and on budget. The project took a total of 10 months to complete.
Market Sector | Utilities
BACKGROUND (Pre-Project Commencement)
ICONIC was contracted on a project that involved a 138 KV upgrade of four AltaLink substations (Provost, Hayter, Kilarney Lake and Edgerton). The goal was to provide alternate connection points to enhance system reliability.
ICONIC’s earthworks services were utilized at the Provost substation, where the elevation of surrounding terrain was preventing proper drainage flow.
ACTION (ICONIC’s Scope & Delivery)
- 138KV upgrade at Provost, Hayter, Kilarney Lake and Edgerton substations
- Installation of foundation, structural steel, ground grid, control cable and protections
- Earthwork (Provost site):
- Setup and maintain ESC
- Stripping and stockpiling topsoil
- Supply, import, place, and pack engineered fill and aggregates
- Supply and installation of geo grid and geo textiles
- Culverts and site ditching
- Fencing (supply and installation)
RESULT / SOLUTION
ICONIC executed 16,000 hrs on this project. Our team’s flexibility to reschedule work to match changing outage sequencing was critical to the project’s success. This was possible due our highly committed field crews, as well as our productive relationship with key players on this project. Despite the scheduling challenges, the facilities were all delivered on time, without incident.
Solar Photovoltaic Facility
Solar Photovoltaic Facility
PROJECT SNAPSHOT
Project Name | Solar Photovoltaic Facility
Owner | Montana First Nation
Client’s Name | ATCO Electric
Location | Montana First Nation - south of Edmonton, AB
Date / Project Timeline / Delivery | Completed October 2020, on time and on budget
Market Sector | Renewable Energy, Solar
BACKGROUND (Pre-Project Commencement)
ICONIC was proud to be involved in the construction of one of the largest on-reserve solar farms – a 12,000 panel project on the Montana First Nation, one-hour south of Edmonton.
ACTION (ICONIC’s Scope & Delivery)
ICONIC’s power distribution team was engaged to connect the solar farm to the grid. Connections were made to an existing Fortis overhead 25 kV system. Export of power was monitored via a padmount metering system. Control and communication of power was managed via SEL751A. SEL 2730U, SEL 2440 and SG-4260 relays. The only auxiliary power requirements for the project were in the E-house.
ICONIC’s civil activities were confined to trenching and backfill of all facilities related to the collector station. ICONIC supplied basic consumables for the project, along with sand and gravels for cable and precast vault placement.
The scope of work included:
- Installation of two runs of 3x#1AL U/G cable and routing to the switch cubicle
- Constructing two concrete vaults for the 25 kV switch cubicle and the padmount station service transformer
- Copper ground grid around each concrete vault
- 4-way 25 kV VFI equipped switch cubicle on concrete vault #1
- Dress cables with 3M termination kits and terminate 6x#1 AL U/G cable from solar farm transformers to VFI bays 1 and 2
- Terminate single phase cable to bay 3 of switch cubicle
- Install 75 kVA 14.4 kV – 120/240 V single phase station service transformer on concrete vault 2
- Terminate cabling from switch cubicle to primary of station service transformer
- Install pre-commissioned 4.29 m x 5.5 m control building and ground grid
- Engage with Fortis to terminate 25 kV cables from Fortis to Bay 1 of switch cubicle
RESULT / SOLUTION
The solar farm is now operational, is being hailed for the opportunities it will provide to the Montana First Nation, and is projected to generate annual revenues of $800,000. Revenue will be invested back into infrastructure on the First Nation’s territory, including the creation of a potential solar farm expansion. The Montana Nation is sharing its knowledge and experience with other first nations in Alberta and Saskatchewan.
Crossfield Battery Energy Storage System
Crossfield Battery Energy Storage System
PROJECT SNAPSHOT
Project Name | Crossfield Battery Energy Storage System
Owner |
Client’s Name | Wellhead Electric (California, USA)
Location | Crossfield, AB
Date / Project Timeline / Delivery | March 2020 to December 2020, completed on time and on budget.
Market Sector | Renewable Energy, Battery Energy Storage
BACKGROUND (Pre-Project Commencement)
ICONIC was selected to handle infrastructure construction and deployment of the Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) for Canada’s first hybrid electric gas turbine, located in Crossfield Alberta. The project feature GE’s proven BESS systems to provide ample operating reserves – while minimizing fuel usage and Green House Gas (GHG) emissions.
The battery technology needed to be integrated into existing LM 6000 generation facilities that were already in place. During the commissioning phase, it was established that a grounding transformer was required to mitigate HV surges. This extended the schedule by two months but was vital to the safety of the people and project assets.
ACTION (ICONIC’s Scope & Delivery)
ICONIC was responsible for all installation, connection, pre-commissioning, commissioning, testing, inspection, post energization checks of the battery energy storage system. We followed GE’s detailed commissioning guidelines to ensure cells were balanced and in a safe operating state.
The BESS area pad was developed and built up to ensure proper slope and drainage. High water tables and pooling were a concern. Helical piling was determined to be the ideal solution to anchor the equipment in the existing soil conditions and to mitigate frost heave. Steel grillages were utilized to simplify the equipment connections to piling and to equipment.
Battery Energy Storage System installation scope:
- Ground grid and testing
- Underground & above ground conduit
- Setting grillage onto piles
- Cable trays installation
- LV (<600V) power cable installation and termination
- Instrumentation, controls, communication cables
- MV (13.8 KV) power cables
- Battery enclosure (HPSU’s) setting and wiring
- Install and commission isolation and aux transformers
- Install and commission switchgear
- Strut supports installation
- Cable, termination kits, load break elbows, terminals, conduit, cable tray, surge arresters
Earthworks scope:
- Pad expansion
- Screw pile installation
- Trenching and backfill
- Conduit installation
- Fencing
- Insulating gravel install
- Asphalt paving
RESULT / SOLUTION
Lonnie Enns, Senior Vice President of ENMAX energy said this project reflects the transformation taking place in Canada’s energy sector, and the adoption of new and innovative solutions.
“Battery storage, combined with on-site natural gas generation provides a reliable, cost effective and sustainable method of ensuring on-demand energy. Not only will this project enable significant greenhouse gas emissions reductions, it will also provide a blueprint for further adoption in cold weather environments globally.”
ICONIC is honoured to be at forefront of BESS technology, and ensuring the required infrastructure is built to the highest safety and quality control standards.
Conrad Transformer Addition
Conrad Transformer Addition
PROJECT SNAPSHOT
Project Name | Conrad Transformer Addition
Owner | AltaLink
Client’s Name | AltaLink
Location | Near Wrentham, AB
Date / Project Timeline / Delivery | September 2018 to August 2019, completed on time. The project took a total of 8 months to complete, as there was a project lull over the winter months.
Market Sector | Utilities
BACKGROUND (Pre-Project Commencement)
The project scope for the Conrad substation includes installing a new transformer and switchgear and control building combo at Conrad 135s substation.
ICONIC was contracted to upgrade the Conrad substation. The objective was to provide enhanced reliability to the Fortis 25 KV distribution system in the greater Wrentham area. The work required the installation of a new transformer, switchgear and control building combo. Due to the age of the station, there was some uncertainty as to the accuracy of the previously recorded drawings. This posed ongoing challenges to the engineering team.
The single biggest project constraint was the limited availability of outages. The site was on a radial feed on the 138 KV system – leaving a small window of opportunity for outages until the new transformer could be installed as a redundant feed. To further complicate this project, all work needed to proceed with extreme care due to the nesting birds in the area. On top of that, there were issues with manufacturer lead times on the 138 KV and 25 KV switches.
The combination of these challenges, along with winter construction, threatened to set the project back.
ACTION (ICONIC’s Scope & Delivery)
Initially, ICONIC’s project scope was limited to the installation, connection and commissioning of all power system upgrades. This was expanded to include civil services on the pad expansion, as ICONIC was able to demonstrate how we could complete the work more efficiently, without cutting corners. The scope included:
- Expansion of the existing station pad
- Installation a new 138/25 KV LTC transformer with a 25 KV switchgear
- The addition of the Fortis AMI was added to ICONIC’s scope
- Installation of two (2) new 138 KV breakers for the new and existing transformer
- One (1) new 7-cell switchgear building with two new feeders
- Salvage existing 25 KV feeder
RESULT / SOLUTION
This was a project that put ICONIC’s problem-solving abilities to the test. AltaLink’s Project Manager was approachable, easy to coordinate with, and extremely open to solutions.
AltaLink’s flexibility to allow us to execute the project outside of winter months led to better cost control. Defined outage planning ensured that key scopes were completed in a timely manner. To work around procurement delays, arrangements were made to purchase units from AltaLink’s emergency stores until the equipment procured by ICONIC arrived. We were also able to propose alternate material solutions to achieve ISD dates.
ICONIC was able to truly add value to this project by offering up the services of our newly formed earthworks team. We were able to stage portions of the project to aid in electrical execution without the change orders that you would see from an external civil entity. This resulted in a better final product – with no escalated costs to the client.
Finally, we closely monitored the surrounding area to identify and avoid active nesting sites.
Despite the challenges on this project, there were no significant incidents or lost time issues on this project. Regular one-on-one meetings with the client allowed us to maintain progress and arrive at the best path forward.
Peace Canyon Substation
Peace Canyon Substation
PROJECT SNAPSHOT
Project Name | Peace Canyon Substation
Owner | BC Hydro
Client’s Name | ABB
Location | Hudson Hope, BC
Date / Project Timeline / Delivery | September 2018 to November 2019. The project was completed within 14 months and on time.
Market Sector | Utilities
BACKGROUND (Pre-Project Commencement)
BC Hydro needed to expand its existing 500 KV Peace Canyon substation facility so it could be interconnected to the new Site C Dam Project.
The project involved four major construction companies, which required extensive coordination, communication and collaboration. ICONIC had to demonstrate that our crews met British Columbia’s extensive training and orientation requirements, and that all equipment adhered to provincial standards and specifications (which vary slightly from those in Alberta).
ACTION (ICONIC’s Scope & Delivery)
Initially, ICONIC was responsible for the distribution work. While the absence of an initial site visit made it difficult to account for all factors that would impact the scope, regular one-on-one meetings with ABB provided an opportunity to discuss project concerns and determine the best path forward. Procedures were clearly communicated post-award.
After the project commenced, several of the earthworks components associated with the substation were removed from original civil contractor’s scope and assumed by ICONIC. This helped to streamline construction on key project deliverables that required close integration. It also resulted in cost efficiencies for the client.
Electrical scope of work:
- Installation of new 500 KV gantries, bus work and cabling
- Addition of 500 KV breakers and isolated bus to the existing 500 KV GIS system
- Installation all electrical work, including:
- Signage
- Lightning protection
- Grounding equipment and bonding
Earthworks scope of work:
- Excavate for ground grid install
- Increase pad size along existing pad perimeter
- Removal of spoils
- Installation of insulating gravel
RESULT / SOLUTION
The cumulative experience ICONIC brought to this project allowed us to deliver a fully functional installation safely, and on time. To ensure we were able to complete all required work during the outages and meet the ISD timelines, ICONIC proposed the gradual replacement of crew members on cross-shifts. By avoiding a massive crew change, we were able to ensure greater continuity between shifts.
Riverview Windfarm Substation
Riverview Windfarm Substation
PROJECT SNAPSHOT
Project Name | Riverview Windfarm Substation
Owner |
Client’s Name | ENEL
Location | Pincher Creek, AB
Date / Project Timeline / Delivery | July 2019 to November 2019. Completed on time and on budget.
Market Sector | Renewable Energy, Wind
BACKGROUND (Pre-Project Commencement)
As part of Alberta’s Renewable Energy Program, Enel Green Power North America Inc. built two projects just outside of Pincher Creek, Alberta: a 115 MW wind farm and a 31MW wind farm.
ICONIC was contracted to design, procure, construct, and commission the River¬view Substation and the CRII expansion projects. It was a multifaceted project that provided ICONIC’s team the ability to shine. As one would expect at a site selected for wind power, frequent gusts required a professional construction and power team that could be counted on to safely execute this project in challenging conditions.
ACTION (ICONIC’s Scope & Delivery)
The work involved concurrent work by multiple teams on the two project sites. ICONIC’s construction and electrical crews worked in close collaboration to allow for smooth hand-offs, made possible by our high standards of quality control.
A. CRR2-EPC
This project component involved the addition of one feeder and protections to existing SWGR. The scope of work included:
- Installation and Commissioning of Metering and GRT tanks
- Installation of below grade cables and conduits
- 35KV Power Cable installation, termination and PD testing
- Terminations consisted of 3m and Elastimold kits
- Installation of revenue metering PT’s
- Installation and Commissioning of new Scada and RTAC systems
- Installation and Commissioning of new revenue meters on existing feeders
- Client Energization support
B. Riverview Greenfield Facility
This new 240 Kv facility would be tapping off the AltaLink Castle Rock Ridge facility. The scope of work involved:
- Station pad construction
- Installation and testing of station ground grid
- Foundation installation
- Installation of GRT Tank’s
- Installation and Commissioning of new 240KV switches and CT’s
- Installation of 35KV bus work
- Installation of transformer containment
- Installation of below grade cables and conduits
- Assist transformer OEM with assembly activities
- Installation and Commissioning of 35KV cap bank
- 35KV power cable installation. Termination and PD testing
- Terminations consisted of 3M, Elastimold and Pfis¬ter kits
- Installation and Commissioning of SCADA systems
- Commissioning of station protections including but not limited to feeder breaker controls
RESULT / SOLUTION
Both project components proceeded according to plan and schedule. Through ongoing communication and collaboration, ICONIC gave the client complete confidence that their project was being professionally managed and built to design. Project management best practices ensured our multiple teams, suppliers and contractors were working in unison.
Today, these facilities are playing a central role in helping Alberta businesses to meet the growing public demand for green generated energy. Construction was completed on-schedule, on-budget and with no safety incidents to report.
Watson Creek Substation
Watson Creek Substation
PROJECT SNAPSHOT
Project Name | Watson Creek Substation
Owner | Altalink
Client’s Name | Burns and McDonnell
Location | near Jasper, AB
Date / Project Timeline / Delivery | November 2019 to June 2019. The project was completed in 8 months and on time.
Market Sector | Utilities
BACKGROUND (Pre-Project Commencement)
This project was initiated to improve system reliability by interconnecting AltaLink and ATCO systems through a 138 KV to 69 KV connection via two transformers.
The single biggest challenge involved the confined workspace, which impacted our ability to stage and execute the deliverables to our usual degree of efficiency. In addition, the station expansion had to be meticulously coordinated to accommodate ATCO and Kinder Morgan outage availability.
Once on-site, we also discovered that the fill beneath the pad (constructed previous to our involvement) used aggregate that was larger than the AltaLink specification.
ACTION (ICONIC’s Scope & Delivery)
There were extensive reporting and documentation requirements on this project. ICONIC’s rigorous project management processes allowed us to meet the client’s request for daily, weekly and monthly submittals. The scope included:
1. Watson Creek 104S expansion
- Construction of 530L to an interconnection point with ATCO Electric’s 6L530
- Installation of foundations, structures, protections, and cabling
- Installation of two (2) 138/69 25 MVA auto transformers
- Installation of circuit breakers, bus, motorized and manual disconnect switches, and motor operator addition
- Commissioning and testing
2. Cold Creek 602S & Bickerdike 39S
- Change relay settings
- Addition of alternative group settings for a bypass switch close condition between 615L and 847L
- Recommissioning as necessary
RESULT / SOLUTION
Due to the restricted space, the ICONIC team was required to change our standard processes – working sequentially rather than concurrently. The depth of our field staff allowed us to cross-shift, and quickly return to the baseline schedule. ICONIC’s earthworks operators and laborers pitched in to help us hit ISD.
Subcontractor management and communication was critical for the overall success of the project. ICONIC’s ability to adapt to any circumstances allowed us successfully complete this project on-time, with no significant incidents.
Chestermere Substation Construction
Chestermere Substation Construction
PROJECT SNAPSHOT
Project Name | Chestermere Substation Construction
Owner | AltaLink
Client’s Name | AltaLink
Location | Chestermere Lake, AB
Date / Project Timeline / Delivery | October 2017 to September 2018, completed on time and on budget. The project took a total of 10 months to complete, as there was a project lull over the winter months.
Market Sector | Utilities
BACKGROUND (Pre-Project Commencement)
This was a full EPC greenfield substation project located on the south side of Chestermere Lake. The goal was to bolster the reliability of the Fortis 25 KV distribution system in the greater Chestermere area. It was ICONIC’s first EPC turnkey project.
Because our work was going on at the same time as adjacent land and road development projects, coordinating site boundaries with the town of Chestermere was a challenge. The area adjacent to the project site was deemed a wetland. Extensive premobilization documentation and permitting was required to ensure the project started on schedule.
ACTION (ICONIC’s Scope & Delivery)
This scope of work included all the engineering, the civil pad development and installation of three 138 kV breakers and two 138/25 kV transformers along with a couple ABB Modular substation on skids.
- Engineering drawings and submissions
- Procurement of materials
- Pad construction
- 138 KV transmission line tie-in
- Installation of telecom tower
- RAS system for the 138 KV interconnection
- Alterations to remoted ends for the 138 KV power line
- Installation of the AMI for Fortis
RESULT / SOLUTION
As ICONIC’s first foray into EPC, this project opened our eyes to the need for disciplined processes and strategies to manage essential project details. It led us to create a dedicated internal procurement team, and to devise step-by-step processes for reviewing and vetting engineering submittals prior to client submission. While standard procedure today, this was new to us at the time.
We are pleased to report our first EPC project was a success. Our team demonstrated the advantage of being able to draw on our extensive crew to meet ISD dates, and the importance of strong contractor relationships. Today, EPC work is second-nature to us.
Windrise Wind LP
Windrise Wind LP
PROJECT SNAPSHOT
Project Name | Windrise Wind LP
Owner |
Client’s Name | TransAlta
Location | 20km south of Fort Macleod, AB
Date / Project Timeline / Delivery | April 2020 to August 2021
Market Sector | Renewable Power, Wind
BACKGROUND (Pre-Project Commencement)
Iconic Power Systems was the substation constructor on this project. We connected to AltaLink’s existing Windy Flats 138 S substation (20 minutes south of Fort Macleod, Alberta) through a 138 KV transmission line.
The project consisted of 43 Wind Turbine Generators (WTG) with a total capacity of 207 MW, an underground collector system, a substation and a transmission line. The WTGs are Siemens-Gamesa Renewable Energy (SGRE) model SG 4.8-145 AM+3 – with 90 m hub height and 145 m rotor diameter. Each has a 4.8 MW capacity rating at 60 Hz.
The scope and complexity of this project required a substation contractor with experience in renewable energy systems who was at ease managing and executing the multiple construction and electrical components.
ACTION (ICONIC’s Scope & Delivery)
ICONIC provided an integrated solution involving our Electric Utility, Distribution and Earthwork teams. The substation was to be located central to the Project, and include feeder entry breakers and disconnects, overhead bus¬es, a capacitor bank for reactive compensation, a single 230 MVA step-up transformer to 138 kV, HV metering and the transmission line breaker and disconnect. Protection, plant control and communication equipment were constructed within a modular rigid-frame steel control building located within the substation.
The scope of work included:
- Procurement
- Civil works, piling, earthworks, fencing
- Grounding grid & underground conduit
- Main transformer foundation & terminations
- Structural work
- Electrical work
- Control building
- Collector & Transmission line terminations
- Testing & commissioning
RESULT / SOLUTION
Under ICONIC, the various project components came together like clockwork. This is reflective of our experience and familiarity working together as a consolidated unit. ICONIC’s established systems and processes enabled clear communication and efficient transitions between crews at all project stages. Over the course of a 16 month build that remained on time and on budget, there were zero safety incidents.
Windcharger Battery Energy Storage Project
Windcharger Battery Energy Storage Project
PROJECT SNAPSHOT
Project Name | Windcharger Battery Energy Storage Project
Owner |
Client’s Name | TransAlta
Location | Summerview, AB
Date / Project Timeline / Delivery | March 2020 to August 2020
Market Sector | Renewable Power, Battery Energy Storage
BACKGROUND (Pre-Project Commencement)
ICONIC was the electric contractor for this project, which utilized TESLA battery technology and has a nameplate capacity of 10 MW with total storage capacity of 20 MWh. The Project is situated next to the Summerview Wind Farm substation on previ¬ously disturbed lands.
The TESLA Megapack batteries provide various operational strategies to support Alberta’s electrical grid. These applications focus on the delivery of sustainable energy, renewable generation smoothing, system voltage and capacity support, as well as grid frequency regulation.
ACTION (ICONIC’s Scope & Delivery)
This project involved the installation of nine TESLA Megapacks to create a 10 MW / 20 MWh Battery Energy Storage System (referred to as “WindCharger”).
Each group of three Megapack units was connected to the grid through one pad mount transformer. The total three pad mount transformers were connected together in daisy chain and then to Summer¬view II 34.5 KV bus. ICONIC’s full project scope included:
- Construction of road and highway approach
- Site earthworks and perimeter fencing
- Foundations
- Underground collection to the pad mount transformers
- Underground transmission to the substation
- Integration into the existing interconnecting substations
RESULT / SOLUTION
This was a successful and high-profile project for ICONIC. It allowed us to demonstrate our core competencies and value as an integrated power and earthworks partner to TransAlta and TESLA. As a result of our collaboration, ICONIC has signed a Master Services Agreement (MSA) to provide maintenance and support across Canada for TESLA.