Portfolio

 

Home
About
Services
Brochure
Portfolio
Tools
Principals
Contact Us
Directions
Links

The pictures and descriptions provided below represent a sample of some of the projects that the company's engineers have worked on.  For further information, contact one of the principal engineers by phone or email using the contact information contained in the Contact Info page.  To view full size pictures click on the thumbnail.   A listing of additional projects is included at the bottom of the page.

Relay Panels

The pictures shown here are of a protective relay panel that was built for a 115kV transmission line.  Included in the line panel are primary and backup impedance and overcurrent relays, breaker failure protection, a reclosing relay, On-off carrier communication set, metering, and all associated control switches.  Project involvement included specification of protection scheme, panel layout and design, interconnection wiring prints, preparation of relay settings, and technician training on relay testing and operation.

LPStandard-gt.jpg (79934 bytes)Line Panel Front.jpg (68753 bytes)

    

 

 

 

PLC Panels

These pictures are of a Programmable Logic Controller (PLC) enclosure that was designed for a subtransmission sectionalizing scheme.  The scheme monitors line voltage and automatically opens and closes two (2) motor operated air-break switches to sectionalize and restore the subtransmission line.  Developed the standard scheme design and detailed installation print package, developed PLC software, provided scheme documentation and performed training on scheme maintenance and operation for field personnel.

PLC Front.jpg (81545 bytes)   PLC Panel 2.jpg (133653 bytes)PLC Panel 1.jpg (138266 bytes)

 

 

Substation Projects

The pictures below are from some sample substation projects.  The first pictures are of a typical 15 kV metalclad switchgear lineup showing a line protection panel for a distribution circuit.  Different configurations of switchgear (indoor, outdoor, shelterclad, etc) can be specified to meet the customer's needs.  The third picture is of a portion of a 230kV substation yard designed for a merchant generation interconnection.

swgr1.JPG (192541 bytes) swgr2.JPG (151107 bytes)  230sub.JPG (39540 bytes)

Line Design
The pictures below are from a 34.5kV line design project for an merchant power plant facility.  Project scope included route selection, structure design, structure and guy loading calculations, bill of material creation, and construction technical support.  Some of the structures utilized for the project were modeled  3D to show the customer what the structure would look like and to verify clearances since one of the structures was of a non-standard design.

35kV Line Design.JPG (202421 bytes)  35kV 3D Line.JPG (50930 bytes)

Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) Systems

These pictures are of a small SCADA remote that was designed and built for an independent power producer.  The system utilizes a programmable logic controller for discrete I/O and is interfaced to a Siemens 2510 revenue meter to retrieve instantaneous metering values (Volts, Amps, MW, and MVAR), as well as, period values (MWhr). The two combined together produce a very powerful and cost effective system.

DSC00252.JPG (60893 bytes)    DSC00254.JPG (61665 bytes)

Engineering Studies

Performed site electrical evaluation, composed single line diagrams of an entire pharmaceutical plant power distribution system.  Completed power system modeling, load studies, short circuit studies, protective device coordination review, and future planning studies.  Completed an electrical classification study of the plant facilities to properly classify all hazardous locations per the NEC. 

Transformer Failure Analysis & Protection Addition

The pictures below are from a forensic analysis that was performed on a failed 69-13.8kV 14MVA transformer which failed during a lightning storm.  Project responsibilities included the forensic analysis, completion of a lightning protection study, and the addition of a microprocessor-based transformer protection relay to provide additional transformer protection.

Picture 010.jpg (62218 bytes)  Picture 013.jpg (61300 bytes)

Power Quality Metering System

The pictures below show a power quality metering system that was designed and constructed by Orion Technical Services, LLC for a large pharmaceutical company.  The company had experienced numerous disturbances/interruptions of their main utility supply and needed a system which would detect these disturbances and alert operations personnel, as well as, capture the events for analysis.  The system includes an alarm light to notify the operations personnel and a communications link to the company Ethernet LAN via a fiber optic link.  Other communications options were provided for future expansion and connection to the company's DCS system.  Training on the operations of the system was provided to the client along with engineering support to review event records and provide a root cause analysis of the operations.

  DSC01970.JPG (345784 bytes)  DSC01966.JPG (324597 bytes)  DSC01964.JPG (339461 bytes)

Additional Projects

Substation Projects

Foxhill 230-34.5 kV Substation, Stroudsburg, PA - This project entailed the construction of a new 230-34.5 kV distribution substation.  The various protective schemes included in the project were: 1) Redundant Fiber optic Current Differential protection scheme for bus tie protection, 2) Redundant Directional Comparison Blocking protection on the 230 kV line feeding the station, and 3) Transformer and distribution line protection.  In addition to performing the short circuit analysis and specification and coordination of protective devices, completed the control circuit design used in the substation.

 Lorane #1 Bk Replacement Project, Reading, PA - This project included the replacement of an existing 14 MVA 69-13.2 kV transformer with a new 28 MVA 69-13.2 kV unit.  Protection schemes upgraded as part of this project included new transformer differential protection, as well as, microprocessor based transformer overload and distribution feeder protection. 

Glendon 115 kV Rebuild Project, Easton, PA - This project included the replacement of 115 kV line protection at six (6) terminals and transformer protection for two (2) 115-34.5 kV transformers.  Determined the protective relay schemes to be installed, as well as, the settings for all of the relays.  Completed the control scheme design and assisted the technicians in commissioning and testing the new schemes.

 Warren 230 kV Substation Project, Warren, PA - This project entailed the installation of a new 230 kV breaker terminal, 230-115 kV auto-transformer, and relay replacements at two (2) remote 230 kV terminals.  Responsibilities included substation expansion, specifying equipment, protection and control design, determining all of the relay settings and supervising the commissioning and in-service testing of the equipment installed.  Developed test plans and provided training for the technicians on the testing of all relays.

 Tower Hill 115-34.5 kV Substation Project, Mansfield, PA - This project included the installation of a new 115 kV terminal at an existing substation and the construction of a new 115-34.5 kV Substation.  Completed the substation design and protection scheme design, including panel layout and wiring design.  Determined all of the relay settings necessary.  The substation protection was performed almost exclusively with microprocessor-based relays.   Provided training and supervision for the commissioning and in-service testing of all of the equipment installed.

 Pleasureville 983 Line Terminal Project, York, PA – This project entailed the engineering required for the addition of a 115 kV line terminal at the Pleasureville Substation.  Project design included the design of a new 115 kV terminal including box structure addition, new circuit breaker, new line protection panel utilizing a directional comparison blocking scheme using power line carrier equipment.  Developed all of the relay settings required for the project.

 East Sayre Relay Replacement Project, Sayre, PA – Completed the design of a new 115 kV line protection panel to replace and existing electromechanical relay panel.  Also, developed all relay settings required for the project.  Project management activities included coordination with an interconnecting utility and their customer on meeting the project schedule and requirements.

 Westgate Substation, York, PA – Project engineer for the $1.2 million addition of a new 115 kV – 13.2 kV substation with 2 - 115 kV breakers, a 28 MVA transformer, and 13.2 kV switchgear.

Hunterstown Substation, Gettysburg, PA – Project was to add a new 500kV shunt capacitor bank recommended by the power pool to increase power transfers from west to east.  This included a 500kV capacitor bank and an associated 500kV circuit breaker.  This also included a programmable logic controller to automatically switch the capacitor breaker for system conditions that require the capacitor to be tied to the system. Responsibility for this project was substation design, protection, and control design, and relay settings.

 Northwood Substation, Forks Twsp, PA – This project was to determine the failure mode of two 230kV – 34.5kV, 125 MVA transformers, specify and manage the purchase and design of a new replacement transformer, and to specify and manage the repair of the second failed transformer.  Responsibility for this project was to analyze all operation and failure data to determine what caused the failures and specify the design requirements for a new transformer. Responsibility also included following the transformer through design, performing the transformer core and coil inspections, overseeing the final testing, and providing field direction for the installation.  The requirements of the project also included overseeing the disassembly of the second failed unit and working with the manufacturer that was redesigning the unit to assure all our requirements were met.

Yorkana Substation, York, PA – Project scope was to add a second 230kV – 115kV 200MVA autotransformer to the existing substation.  Project responsibility included, specifying and managing the purchase and design of the new transformer, complete all substation upgrades, determine the relay schemes required, complete all control design, perform fault analysis, and complete all relay settings. 

Erie South 230kV Shunt Capacitor Bank Installation, Erie, PA – Responsible for installation, testing, and commissioning for the addition of two (2) 65MVAR substation shunt capacitor banks.  This included major modifications to the 230kV bus and the relay protection.  Scheduled 230kV bus outages, coordinated construction and testing crews, planned the work in stages to allow for only short outages of the 230kV bus to tie in major systems.  Also responsible for preparing as-built drawings for the project.

East Windsor 500kV substation expansion, Windsor, NJ – Project Manager for the design,  installation, and testing of a second 500kV – 230kV, three phase, 870MVA transformer and 230kV ring bus at Jersey Central Power & Light’s East Windsor substation.  This project also included 500kV line re-routing including a new double circuit 500kV tubular steel pole design, and 230kV line re-routing.

United Coorstack, Reading, PA – This project included replacing a failed 69kV – 13.8kV, 14MVA transformer, upgrading transformer protection, performing a lightning and insulation coordination study, performing a relay coordination study, relay settings, and adding power quality metering to the substation.  Construction specification and coordination was also provided.

Fairchild Semiconductor, Mountain Top, PA – Designed and commissioned the installation of a SCADA system to gather transformer and feeder load and status information from the substation and send it to their plant control system.

 Generation Projects 

Portland Unit #5 Combustion Turbine Project, Portland, PA - Reviewed/specified and determined settings for all of the protective relaying equipment used to protect the 150 MVA generator and associated equipment.  Also, was assigned the responsibility for commissioning this equipment during the period between July and November of 1994.  Developed a test program and scheduled and supervised the contractors hired to do the testing. In addition, worked closely with the manufacturer's commissioning engineers during the "Primary Test" phase of the startup and test program.

 York Haven Generating Facility, York Haven, PA – This project scope was the upgrade of the 1926 hydroelectric generating facility.  Project included new electrical equipment and addition of automatic control.  Scope included replacement of generator switchgear, main switchgear, 4 kV – 115 kV step-up transformers, station service switchgear, station service transformer, and updating the 115 kV utility interconnection.

 Solar Turbines, York, PA – Project was for the installation of 8 small combustion turbines at Caterpillar Tractor substation.  Responsibility was utility project engineer working directly with Solar Turbines and their engineering firm to specify protection requirements, review their protection and control drawings, and make recommendations to allow them to meet the utility requirements and to help them control the costs for interconnection.  Responsibility also included protective relay settings for the interconnection, review generator and associated auxiliary protective relays, and review of the final as built protection and control drawings.

 Combustion Turbine Upgrade Project, Metropolitan Edison Co., PA – This project included the upgrading of the turbine and generator protection and control schemes of eleven 20MW dual fuel fired combustion turbines.  Responsibility was protection and control engineer for the replacement of the electro-mechanical generator and turbine control schemes with a PLC based scheme.  This included upgrading automatic synchronizing schemes, frequency protection, voltage restrained overcurrent protection, high and low voltage protection, loss of excitation protection, and generator differential protection.

 Reliant Energy – Titus Station, Birdsboro, PA – Completed the design, installation, and testing to upgrade the plant coal handling switchgear to handle a new coal blending system.  Performed short circuit and relay coordination studies for switchgear relaying and the substation feeds to the switchgear.

 Ontelaunee Energy Center, Temple, PA - Engineering Manager for the installation of new 230-kV switching station for a 540 MW natural gas fired generating facility owned by Calpine.

 AES Ironwood Substation and Switchyard, Lebabon, PA – Engineering Manger for the design, installation, and testing of a new 230kV utility substation and the owners 230kV switchyard.  The project also included splitting an existing 230kV transmission line and relay upgrades at the remote terminals, including the addition of dual high speed relaying schemes on the two lines formed from the split.

AES Red Oak Substation, Sayerville, NJ - Engineering Manager for the installation of new 230-kV switching station for a 765 MW gas fired generating facility owned by AES. 

Handsome Lake Energy Center, Kennerdell, PA - Engineering Manager for the installation of new 345-kV switching station comprised of a (3) breaker ring bus in support of the Handsome Lake Energy Project, a 250 MW gas fueled power plant owned by Constellation Energy Group in Kennerdell, PA. 

Engineering Studies 

Siegfried (USA), Pennsville, NJ  - Performed site electrical evaluation, composed single line diagrams of their entire power distribution system, completed power system modeling, load studies, short circuit studies, protective device coordination review, and future planning studies.  Completed an electrical classification study of the plant facilities to properly classify all hazardous locations per the NEC. 

INGENCO, Richmond, VA – Completed utility interconnection studies for two of their generation development projects.  Provided a report including design requirements, single line diagrams, and protection requirements that would be necessary to attach their generation to the utility grid.

 Programmable Logic Controller (PLC) Applications 

Birdsboro 69 kV Restoration Scheme, Birdsboro, PA - This scheme was designed to automatically reclose three (3) 69 kV circuit breakers and a 13.2 kV transformer breaker upon an operation of the adjacent transformer protection scheme.

Stroudsburg 34.5 kV Circuit Breaker Transfer and LTC Control Scheme, Stroudsburg, PA - This scheme performed an automatic circuit breaker transfer between two (2) 34.5 kV circuit breakers feeding a distribution substation.  Also incorporated into the design was an automatic LTC control for two distribution power transformers in the substation. 

Lickdale Sectionalizing Scheme & 13.2 kV Tie Switch Scheme, Lebanon, PA - This installation included the sectionalizing scheme mentioned above and a 13.2 kV tie switch scheme used to close two (2) 13.2 kV tie switches to pick up feeders in the event of a transformer failure.  Due to the loading and characteristics of the feeders involved, the scheme also performed an automatic change of relay settings on ABB DPU relays prior to performing the transfer.

 Warren 115 kV Circuit Breaker & Relay Potential Transfer Scheme, Warren, PA - This scheme performed a bus transfer for two (2) 115 kV circuit breakers between two isolated 115 kV busses.  Prior to performing the transfer, a successful transfer of relay potential needed to be performed and verified.  A 115 kV reclosure scheme was also provided for one of the circuits.  

Erie South 230-115 kV Auto-transformer LTC Control Scheme, Erie, PA - This scheme was installed to perform manual tap changes for three (3) parallel 230-115 kV auto-transformers with different numbers of LTC taps.

 PLC-based RTU Projects – Completed PLC programming for ten (10) PLC-based SCADA RTU systems.  Programming of the PLC was completed utilizing IEC 1131 programming language and included not only the development of the PLC resident software, but also configuration and programming of various protocol converters utilized to communicate with other intelligent electronic devices (relays and meters).

 Remote Terminal Unit Standard, GPU Energy, Reading, PA – This project included redesigning the control and data acquisition system platform at GPU Energy to be able to provide the current control and analog data requirements using communications systems and to be easily expandable to provide substation automation with minimal wiring changes.  This project got national attention and was published in T&D magazine and numerous presentations were given on this project.

 

 

a 2001 - Orion Technical Services, LLC