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.


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.