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Home > Supplier Companies > Eaton Industries > Articles > Hydroelectric Power Plant...
Eaton Industries

Hydroelectric Power Plant Automation and Modernization

Jul 14, 2020

Eaton's hydroelectric power solutions team brings new life to aging hydro power generation facilities. Highly skilled in hydro automation projects, excitation systems, and protection and control system replacements and upgrades, Eaton specialists update and revitalize existing systems to achieve reliable and efficient operation. Eaton’s one-stop shop for hydro modernization includes power engineering, training and arc flash studies for NFPA 70e compliance to support upgrades to your renewable energy hydro plant or non-powered dam.

As aging hydroelectric plants across North America reach the end of their lifecycle, Eaton Electrical Services & Systems team provides a one-stop shop to upgrade equipment, coupled with customized, turnkey project management. With a complete range of solutions to extend equipment life, reduce costs and enhance reliability, Eaton breathes new life into aging facilities. The following testimonials provide a brief snapshot into Eaton services performed. 
 
Out with the old, in with the new
 
Problem: An electrical infrastructure upgrade was needed at Otter Rapids Generating Station, a 40-year-old hydroelectric facility with four 46 MVA generators.
Solution: Eaton Electrical Services & Systems provided turnkey project management that encompassed the design of the protection system including updates to one-line diagrams; new elementary and connection wiring diagrams; procurement and fabrication of new relay panels; and all installation and commissioning work. The upgrade featured turnkey project management, generator protection, bus protection, and transformer and line protection.  
Results: With installation performed in two separate outages — which allowed the facility to remain in operation during the changeout — the Eaton team successfully upgraded Otter Rapids to a state-of-the-art digital protection scheme. 
 
 
Eaton brings outdated hydroelectric facility back to life
 
Problem: Electrical gear was obsolete and in poor condition at a hydroelectric plant supporting eight turbine generators. The facility, which had been out of operation for 14 years, required a complete equipment upgrade.
Solution: Eaton Electrical Services & Systems facilitated the entire design-build project, upgrading and rehabilitating the electrical distribution system with an extensive range of equipment that included relay protection, substations, arc resistant switchgear, new cabling and bus work, and more. In addition, the Eaton team completed testing and commissioning of all systems including arc flash analysis, as well as provided drawing package and manuals, and complete operator and maintenance training.
Results: After 14 years of non-operation, the generation facility is up and running once again thanks to an extensive equipment upgrade and turnkey project management, all provided by Eaton.
 
 
Automation and protection system upgrades
 
Problem: An obsolete control system was creating operational challenges for a hydro facility that consisted of two 9500kVA turbine generators operating at 4.16kV and multiple remote-controlled gate houses. 
Solution: Eaton’s turnkey contract included designing, supplying and installing the upgraded protection and control system. The solution featured a new PLC control system with HMI and remote monitoring; generator, transformer and station service protection; governor and excitation upgrades; and more.
Results: The solution enhanced the utility’s ability to remotely monitor the condition and status of the generating facility, resulting in faster response to plant issues and significantly reduced start-up and shut-down times.
 

Source: https://www.eaton.com/us/en-us/catalog/services/hydroelectric-power-plant-automation-and-modernization.html

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