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.