Hap Cremean Water Plant Standby Power Project, City of Columbus

The Hap Cremean Water Plant, operated by the City of Columbus Division of Water, relied upon utility providers to deliver electrical power for the treatment and pumping of water at the plant. In the event of power outages, the plant had no alternative source of power which meant that water service could be interrupted for extended periods of time. The City added standby power systems at the water plant in order to maintain continuity of service in the event of a power outage.

CHALLENGES

The project needed to be completed with minimal disruption to the operation of the plant. This required extensive coordination to plan outages and to function test relays after each installation. The relays could only be replaced in the winter months during low water flow periods.

OUTCOME

The project included a new generator substation with three 15KV generators and new 15KV paralleling switchgear building; fourteen manholes, 2,500 feet of duct bank, 15KV cable & control wire to connect the new generator substation to the facilities two existing main 15KV electrical substations; a new 2,500 KVA transformer that is connected to the generator substation to be used as a load bank transformer; a new pad mount transformer and outdoor switchgear to feed the existing administration building; and upgraded/replaced thirty-two REF-615 protection relays in the existing ABB MV switchgear lineups.