S&C Solves Technical Integration Challenges for Coram Wind Farm

To help expand plant capacity, S&C procured and constructed the electrical systems needed to connect new wind turbines to the grid. With the wind power project complete, the wind farm can produce up to 102 MW.

This wind energy project posed significant technical challenges—including integration of a 69-kV underground transmission line—that required a high level of expertise and customization. S&C also faced a compressed installation schedule due to delays in receiving construction permits from local authorities. Despite these obstacles, S&C completed the project on time, which is crucial for renewable energy plant developers to maximize financial returns and meet renewable energy goals.

‘S&C stepped up as an integral team member working with Brookfield, Mortenson and Southern California Edison to efficiently integrate the Coram Wind farm into the windhub substation,’ says Kevin Deters, Vice President/ General Manager at Mortenson Construction.

As part of the project, S&C built two substations, and installed 13 miles of 35-kV electrical cable, three miles of 69-kV underground cable and almost two miles of 69-kV overhead cable. S&C’s team of employees and subcontractors worked 168,000 person-hours with zero lost-day incidents or accidents. Consequently, the project achieved high marks during safety and environmental audits.

‘Completing interconnection properly and on time is crucial for renewable energy plant owners who otherwise face delays in getting plants up and running or production curtailments,’ says Dan Girard, director, Renewable Energy, S&C. ‘Our company brings the expertise and experience that renewable energy plant owners need to ensure their plants are connected to the grid correctly and within the allotted timeframe.’

Connecting renewable energy plants to the grid remains a major issue in achieving clean energy goals. Increasing renewable energy production is a major priority in California, which has one of the most aggressive renewable energy goals in the United States. The California Renewables Portfolio Standard requires 33 percent of total energy supplies to come from renewable energy sources by 2020.

S&C, with global headquarters in Chicago, USA, is applying its heritage of innovation to address challenges facing the world’s power grids and is thus shaping the future of reliable electricity delivery. The mission of employee-owned S&C is to continually develop new solutions for electricity delivery, fostering the improved efficiency and reliability required for the intelligent grid.

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