Generator provides power plan
To invest in an “insurance policy” to offset Mother Nature, |
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A crane lifted the 30-000 pound generator onto a diesel tank and placed it on a concrete pad at Capital Electric headquarters. |
the staff at Capital Electric installed a diesel-powered
generator at co-op headquarters on May 23.
Ron Lipp, engineering and operations manager, says the co-op formerly used a 10-kilowatt (KW) propane generator that powered only the essentials in the control room. If there was a power outage that affected the cooperative, the small generator could power the operations room, radios, telephones and supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) equipment. SCADA is needed to read information that is collected at the substations. The data is then transmitted over point-to-point phones lines and radio to the co-op, where the system supervisor analyzes the information, locates the outage and dispatches the lineworkers.
With the new, much-larger generator, the entire co-op will function more efficiently during an outage, as well as the warehouse. Lipp says department managers had discussed investing in a larger generator for several years. With the headquarters building addition slated to begin in August, Lipp says the timing was right.
“We take pride in providing affordable and reliable electric service. But we know we can’t control tornadoes, high winds and winter snow storms, so we needed an alternate plan in the event of an emergency.”
Capital Electric purchased the 750-KW, 480/277 VAC, three-phase Caterpillar Generator from Butler Machinery. Prior to installation, a CAT® representative assessed the site layout, looked at the electrical panel and recommended a generator that would accommodate for future growth.
Prior to the installation, the staff at Capital Electric trimmed trees to accommodate the generator’s height, and then the contractor, Skeels Electric, poured a concrete pad. They will also put in an automatic transfer switch which will start the generator in the event of an outage.
To install the 30,000-pound generator, with fuel tank and enclosure, Butler Machinery staff used a crane to lift the generator onto a diesel tank and place it on the concrete pad.
Since the installation, the co-op has only fired up the generator to conduct monthly maintenance checks.
“As a power supplier, we should always have power,” Lipp says. “Hopefully we’ll never have to use it.”