Tapping to the full benefits of renewable energy requires an interconnection to the power grid, a complex process that requires technical and regulatory considerations as well as the ability to meet local electrical utility standards. Interconnection also typically requires new or upgraded power infrastructure as was the case with 50MW wind generation facility in eastern Oregon.
Qualus served as the lead engineer for a substation, collection system, and the electrical relaying protection and control systems needed to connect the wind generation facility to the grid. Our work began with engineering analyses of the windfarm system, which included an arc flash evaluation, relay setting development, and reactive compensation determination. We designed, built and tested a 138/34.5kV substation and a collection system of approximately 15 miles of overhead and underground circuits.
We also developed the SCADA interface between the utility and the wind turbine control system as well as real-time automated controller (RTAC) programming to process data flow with wind turbine operational technology and substation interfaces. With an on-time and within budget project completion, the windfarm is bringing quality renewable energy in the grid every day.
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