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VELCO SPCC-Vermont Electric Power Company

 

DuBois & King provided SPCC planning for several substations and other facilities to inventory all oil containers and oil containing equipment and assess: applicability of regulations, local drainage conditions, and facility conformance with SPCC regulatory requirements. D&K staff prepared a field sketch at each location and CADD facility diagram showing the location and capacity of each regulated oil container, soil characteristics, anticipated direction of drainage flow if an oil release were to occur, access roads, security fencing, north arrow, drainage structures, secondary containment structures, surface water bodies, wetlands, adjoining land uses, and other pertinent features. Each site was identified on a roadmap to facilitate locating on a USGS map and to further assess potential drainage pathways.

D&K developed narrative SPCC Plans for 32 substations, Pinnacle Ridge Road facility, Wenlock Service Center facility, and one mobile substation operation. Coordination with the owner included previously adopted spill response procedures, call lists, spill cleanup equipment, preferred spill response contractors, inspection protocols, security procedures, employee training programs, and other requirements. Firm engineers provided recommendations for modifications of systems and procedures not in conformance with SPCC regulatory requirements; conceptual design recommendations for new structures; identified modifications or upgrades required; and determined a schedule for completion of modifications and upgrades.

Additional design services were provided relating to construction at Blissville, Tafts Corner (Williston), Highgate, St. Johnsbury, Irasburg, and New Haven. Where upgrades involve installation of new oil containing equipment, substantive changes to secondary containment structures, and/or modifications of site drainage patterns, D&K staff prepared revision to substation plans addressing that facility.

Washington Electric Co-op Substation Upgrade

 

DuBois & King electrical engineers provided construction administration services, following design services, for the complete rebuild of Washington Electric Co-op’s East Montpelier substation. The project objective was to demolish and replace an existing outdated substation in the same location with a modern, slightly larger, and more efficient facility. The new facility was designed to provide more reliable electric service to approximately 1,640 Washington Electric Co-op members, as well as provide adequate space for future growth.

The project included replacing the existing wooden substation structure and equipment with a galvanized steel structure, three new 1,667 kVA low-loss power transformers, individual circuit regulation, remote monitoring equipment, and solid-state single/three-phase fault protection. The existing overhead distribution feeder exiting the substation was placed underground to the first preexisting distribution pole. The design included oil spill containment in accordance with USDA Rural Utilities Service. In addition to the substation structure, a 12-ft by 8-ft concrete block control building that houses relays and metering equipment was constructed.

D&K engineers worked closely with the Co-op on the development of a construction delivery approach that utilized Co-op labor to complete much of the construction, resulting in considerable cost savings.

Norwich University Electrical Upgrades

 

DuBois & King provided electrical design services for upgrades to the 12.47kV primary service from Northfield Electric to an existing step-down transformer. The project serves the existing Plumley Armory and the Roberts, Webb, and Jackman buildings. The heating plant electrical loop included Doyle and Chaplin Hall, the heating plant, Sabine Field, and the Student Center.

Several alternatives were explored to achieve optimal future expansion, ease of maintenance, and improved aesthetics. Both conventional pad-mounted gear and underground vault mounted equipment options were evaluated and presented in detail. A vault mounted switchgear was selected due to the increased level of safety for operating personnel, improved aesthetics due to below grade installation, and ease of future expansion. The project allowed for removal of overhead distribution lines resulting in aesthetic improvements to the campus. Professional services included:

  • Site analysis of existing service points
    (buildings and overhead tie-in points)
  • Development of electrical technical criteria and design
  • Shop drawing review
  • Bidding assistance
  • Construction phase services

Electric Utilities

 

DuBois & King’s multidiscipline staff provides an integrated team to support a range of projects for electric utilities. Electrical, civil, environmental, and structural engineers provide modeling and analysis, engineering studies, reports, design, field investigations, site plans, permitting, cost estimates, construction documents, construction administration, and construction monitoring.
D&K’s electrical engineering staff consists of experienced project managers and engineers with in-depth knowledge of electrical high voltage distribution systems, electrical system planning, electrical power system design, protective relaying, instrumentation and control systems, and grounding system design. Firm engineers perform detailed design and review, evaluate existing power systems, and develop technical specifications for new design.

Services

Civil/Site Engineering
Structural Engineering
Electrical Engineering
Survey
Permitting
Substation Site Planning
Substation Foundations and Structures
Subsurface Investigations
Supports/Lifts
Code Analyses
Vaults
Environmental Studies and Remediation
Protective Relaying
Grounding and Lightning Protection
Medium Voltage Substation Design
Load and Short Circuit Analysis
Underground Utility Distribution
Feasibility Evaluations/Options Analyses
System Inventory and Inspection
Emergency Power Systems
Security and Communications
SCADA

West Danville Powerplant Repair

 

A failed penstock disabled the powerplant, eroded the site, and destabilized and destroyed sections of the powerhouse at Green Mountain Power’s West Danville hydroelectric facility. DuBois & King conducted an inspection of the failed penstock, power station, and project area; reviewed technical specifications of the penstock pipe; coordinated with the engineers associated with the original project; and provided design for the repairs. Project deliverables included:

An analysis of conditions leading to the failure
Design for stabilization of the site and foundation
Design for reconstruction of the powerhouse superstructure
Design incorporated a removable roof section for maintenance