Industrial

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As the focus shifts towards new growth drivers in your industry, ASSET Engineering is here to add value to your business operations with our multiple service offerings. By looking ahead, you can expect the latest technology tools and models to support advanced power system design and simulation.

Let ASSET Engineering be your one partner in studies ranging from:

  • Power factor improvement
  • Harmonic abatement
  • Confirmation of equipment short circuit ratings
  • Short circuit ratings and device overcurrent protection after system changes
  • Arc Flash Studies
  • Motor starting studies for new motors or systems

With an exemplary record of on-time project support and completion, we will troubleshoot your power system problems and develop remedial action plans.

For more detailed information about our Core Services and Competencies, please visit the Why ASSET? page on our site.

Select Projects

Chemical Projects

chemicalprojects161kV GIS Substation Project
Design 161kV electrical service for a new chlorine gas production plant in Tennessee. The project added a 161kV power feed from TVA. Included in the scope were two 4160V services consisting of specially designed transformers that would provide DC power to the plant process. The 161kV power was distributed via a gas insulted switch (GIS) with switching capability that allowed half the plant processes to be running while the other half was maintained. ASSET’s design responsibilities included a protective relay panel design, power and control cable selection and routing designs, and control and monitoring communication system design.

Petrochemical

industrial engineeringEnterprise Products
ASSET Engineering was responsible for the Electrical and Relay Engineering scope of the project. This work included developing all electrical drawings, performing all electrical studies (short circuit, protective device coordination, and arc flash), determining relay settings, designing substation relay panels, and performing design reviews of OEM supplied electrical equipment.


Permian Basin 138kV Ring Bus Project #1 (Permian Basin, TX)
The Permian Basin of West Texas is one of the largest and most active oil basins in the United States. The area’s assets include over five million acres, as well as over 12,000 oil and gas wells, and infrastructure. The low cost of extraction in this area provides the basis for companies to be competitive, even during times of low oil prices.

The project owner continues to invest in their infrastructure in the Permian and in 2015 engaged our client, Dis-Tran Packaged Substations, to engineer, procure, and construct (EPC) a new substation. The new substation includes the design of an incoming 138kV ring bus, with two incoming lines and two service positions. The two service positions feed 45MVA transformers that step the voltage down to the 24.9kV distribution voltage. In addition to the new substation design, the project also provides for the distribution feeders to service several new gas compressor stations and service production pumps.

ASSET’s scope of work in support of this project included all of the detailed electrical engineering and design, protection and controls design, ground grid design, fault studies, relay settings as well as the programming of the relays and station monitoring devices.


Permian Basin 138kV Ring Bus Project #2 (Permian Basin, TX)
The Permian Basin of West Texas is one of the largest and most active oil basins in the United States. The area’s assets include over five million acres, as well as over 12,000 oil and gas wells, and infrastructure. The low cost of extraction in this area provides the basis for companies to be competitive, even during times of low oil prices.

The project owner continues to invest in their infrastructure in the Permian and in 2015 engaged our client, Dis-Tran Packaged Substations, to engineer, procure, and construct (EPC) a new substation. The new substation includes the design of an incoming 138kV ring bus, with two incoming lines and two service positions. The two service positions feed 45MVA transformers that step the voltage down to the 24.9kV distribution voltage. In addition to the new substation design, the project also provides for the distribution feeders to service several new gas compressor stations and service production pumps.

The ASSET Engineering scope for this project comprised all of the electrical engineering, design, select studies.


Cameron LNG (Hackberry LA)
The Cameron LNG project is a $10 billion natural gas liquefaction facility expansion that will provide for the ability to import and regasify product for distribution domestically, export domestically sourced product, or re-export foreign sourced LNG to other countries.

The expansion at the existing terminal drove the need for an additional utility substation and a new site based switchyard to service the terminal. A joint venture between Chicago Bridge and Iron and Chiyoda International Corporation (CCJV) was successful in capturing the engineer, procure, construct (EPC) contract for the overall terminal expansion which included the new switchyard. CCJV chose to outsource the switchyard work in a separate EPC contract which was awarded to our client, Aubrey Silvey Enterprises of Carrolton GA.

The switchyard design includes the addition of six 230 kV circuit breakers from a new utility substation featuring three breaker and a half points of delivery to serve six new breakers. Each of the new breakers serves a new 84 MVA transformer feeding new 34.5 kV switchgear. Design priorities included interfacing connections and coordinating protection with the utility and the switchgear.

ASSET’s scope of work in support of this project included all of the detailed electrical engineering and design, protection and controls design, ground grid design, fault studies, relay settings as well as the programming of the relays and station monitoring devices.

Forest Products

WestRock Fernandina Beach Plant (Fernandina Beach Plant, FL)
WestRock is an American corrugated packaging company, is the 2nd largest packaging company in the United States and one of the largest paper and packaging companies globally with $15 billion in annual revenue and 42,000 employees in 30 countries. The Fernandina Beach plant is one of the largest WestRock linerboard mills, with the most productive liner machine in the WestRock system. The Fernandina Beach Plant occupies 216 acres and its 480 employees produce 900,000 tons of paper (8% of WestRock’s total production) each year.

WestRock engaged ASSET Engineering initially to assist with migrating their plant electric model from SKM to EasyPower. This eventually led to our involvement in performing all of their electrical studies, and providing engineering and design to mitigate several of the issues that were uncovered during the analysis. The studies work included:

• Arc Flash
• Short Circuit and Protective Device Coordination – including settings

The mitigation scope was focused on their DC Drive rooms. Which required providing a design for a protective relaying option for reducing the arc flash hazard room. The solution included the addition of arc sensor relays with overcurrent supervision to trip upstream breakers to shorten the fault duration. In early 2019, WestRock engaged ASSET to implement the engineered solution identified for the first group of 37 drives. The second phase of our work involved designing same solution for the protection for 31 transformers feeding the drives.


Hu Hunua Biomass PlantHu Honua Biomass Plant (Hawaii)
30MW Biomass Facility
This facility was an old sugar mill located on the “Big Island” in Hawaii that is being repurposed as a biomass energy plant producing 30-megawatt (MW) electric power using locally grown eucalyptus biomass as the fuel source.

ESI of Tennessee was successful in landing the engineering and design for the project. ESI specializes in the design, engineering, procurement and construction of steam and power generation facilities. ASSET provided support to ESI for the condition assessment of the existing power distribution equipment, electrical engineering and studies to support the protection and controls for the generator and grid connection to the Hawaii Electric Light Company system. Our original scope was completed in 2013. The balance of the work is scheduled to be completed in 2015 and 2016.

Green Power Solutions Power Plant (Dublin, Georgia)
34MW Biomass Facility
This project was a joint venture between ASK Partners and SP Fiber Technologies to install a new cogeneration facility on site at the SPFT paper mill in Dublin Georgia. The new plant provide 34MW of base load power to the Georgia Transmission grid while also providing steam for use in the processing of recycled fiber. In order to take advantage of the renewable resource aspect of the steam generation at the SP Fiber Technologies Facility, the generation connected to the SPFT 138kV Bus needed to be reconfigured to connect to Georgia Transmission 138kV Facilities. Additionally, the new entity owning and operating the Steam Turbine, Green Power Solutions (GPS), planned to upgrade the Turbine Control System while also replacing the 1950s vintage protective relays with modern relaying technology.

ASSET Engineering supported the project by acting as Owner’s Engineer for designing the modifications required to separate the relaying in the existing switchyard into two entities (SPFT and GPS). This also required coordinating the new relaying interfaces between the SPFT Relaying and Georgia Transmission and the GPS Relaying and Georgia Transmission.

ASSET worked with the New Turbine Control Vendor to coordinate the implementation of the new primary and back-up generation protection relays. This work included development of the protective settings for the new SEL-300G relays, oversight of FAT, and management and oversight of commissioning.


nipponNippon Paper (Port Angeles, Washington)
20MW Cogeneration Facility
Updated the electrical system model for auxiliary and generator additions. Evaluated operating modes for the generator, load flows were calculated at different production and levels and initial voltage and power factor settings were recommended. System coordination and protective relay settings were reconfigured throughout the system for the new generation source. Arc flash hazard study was performed for all generation system additions. Developed a protection and controls design and relay settings for the 69 kV substation, and developed a test and energization plan for the entire system.


Resolute Forest Products (Augusta, Georgia)
New 13.8kV Power Distribution Line
ASSET provided the engineering and design for a new 13.8 kV distribution line routing including, development of plan, profile, pole top assembly details, guying and grounding details, material list, pole strength and buckling calculations and sizing. ASSET also provided sag-tension tables for the installation of 336 MCM ACSR phase and 1/0 ACSR shield conductors.


TR Miller (Brewton, Alabama)
Electrical Studies
ASSET performed an arc flash study and provided the labels for equipment throughout the extensive electrical system of this large mill. The sawmill, planer, kiln, pole mill, lattice, and office areas were all inspected and data was collected for the plant’s power distribution system. Single line diagrams were created in AutoCAD from the inspection and field data collected during the investigation phase in order to provide the mill needed documentation for maintenance and a basis for future mill upgrades and expansions. The short circuit levels were investigated on each bus and through each system branch; all equipment was found to be operating within its design limits. Time-current coordination work yielded a recommendation to change and add 480V breakers and transformer primary fuses to speed tripping after a fault and to minimize the equipment affected by an unplanned outage. TR Miller also requested, and ASSET performed, a study of the harmonic currents and voltages suspected for the misoperation and failure of variable frequency drives. The study found no significant harmonics issues and through further due diligence the root cause was determined to be a grounding issue.


Interfor (Formerly Price Lumber Company) (Monticello, Arizona)
Electrical Studies
ASSET performed a number of electric studies for this client. The initial phase of work required the collection of equipment data in all areas of the facility including, the sawmill, kiln, planer, office, and log yard. This data facilitated the development of an electrical system model and updates to the mill’s AutoCAD single line diagrams. With this electrical system model, a comprehensive arc flash hazard study was conducted which provided an assessment of arc flash energies and needed personal protective equipment (PPE). Another element of work at this mill involved the measurement of load and harmonic currents and voltages to aid in the failure of an existing capacitor bank which had been switched out of service. Additionally, a reactive power compensation study was performed. The end result of the harmonics engineering effort was a technical recommendation for a filtered capacitor bank and financial payback calculation.


Southern Chips (Perry, Arizona)
Arc Flash Study
ASSET Engineering provided an arc flash study for this client. ASSET personnel collected the necessary field data to perform the study and then modeled the 4160/480/240/208V systems, and determined the arc flash energies and PPE needed for each piece of operable electrical equipment. The project concluded with the ASSET engineer assisting in the application of arc flash labels and providing training to the mill electrical staff.

Pharmaceutical

Pharmavite East Coast Manufacturing Facility (Opelika, Alabama)
Electrical Studies
ASSET performed the electrical system modeling and developed the needed short circuit, protective device coordination, and arc flash hazard studies for Pharmavite’s dietary supplement manufacturing facility when it was constructed. ASSET worked with the electrical contractor to secure information and to affix the arc flash labels which ASSET produced. In the facility’s subsequent expansions, ASSET has been called upon to update the electrical system model, studies, and to provide needed additional arc flash hazard labels.


OrganiGram (New Brunswick, Canada)
OrganiGram is a pharmaceutical production, processing and packaging facility in New Brunswick, Canada. The company has experienced significant growth and as a result had to expand this existing facility. The new expansion resulted in a need for a new 30MVA substation to feed the existing and new electric load. The incumbent electrical contractor, Acadian Construction, Ltd. and their engineering program manager, SunGear Technologies, engaged ASSET Engineering for the substation FEED study and subsequent detailed engineering and design.

Before ASSET’s involvement, the project team envisioned a single 25/30/35MVA transformer to serve the facility. ASSET recognized that significant production losses would result in the event of a transformer outage, even for regularly scheduled maintenance. Additional discussion with the customer revealed that the production schedule could be adjusted so that the maximum demand was 12-15MVA for extended periods of time (days/weeks).

The customer’s facility originally consisted of a single building that underwent significant expansion. Other new and existing buildings were incorporated to create a campus facility. Understanding and meeting the customer’s immediate and long-term electrical needs in the middle of rapid expansion created a project challenge.

Another project challenge was incorporating Canadian standards into the design, such as the Canadian Electrical Code, Workplace Electrical Safety, and numerous electrical product standards. Local practices were also respected by discussing the project beforehand with local electrical inspectors and the serving utility, NB Power.

Ultimately, the substation configuration consisted of a single 138kV line from the serving utility, two 12/16/20 MVA transformers, and six (6) 12.47kV feeders arranged in a main-tie-main configuration. Five (5) 12.47kV feeders were for present day and identified future use, and one (1) feeder was spare. By balancing circuit loads and demand, this configuration allows for increased reliability and continued production in the event of a transformer outage.

Additional project tasks included developing:

• Material procurement specifications for substation major equipment and other components
• Grounding, Lighting, and Lightning Protection Studies
• Electrical System Study, including device coordination, relay settings files, and arc flash evaluation
• Physical Drawings, including General Arrangement, Grounding, and Conduit
• Electrical Drawings, including AC & DC Schematics, Wiring Diagrams, and Interconnections
• Civil/Structural Drawings, including Grading, Drainage, Foundations, and Steel Structures (via coordination with an outside consultant)
• Municipal and county building permit drawing package and support to secure permits

ASSET served as Commissioning Agent for the substation, overseeing equipment, protection and controls testing, and systems commissioning. ASSET observed testing in real time and confirmed the completeness of system check out in accordance with the Test Plan and Energization Plan it had developed.

Manufacturing
RED Rochester, Infrastructure Upgrade (Rochester, NY)
RED Rochester, LLC provides electricity, four different pressures of steam, chilled water, nitrogen, compressed air, potable water, industrial process water, demineralized water, high purity water, fire protection water, natural gas, and industrial waste water treatment with precious metals recovery through a Title V/RCRA permitted multiple hearth incinerator at the Eastman Business Park in Rochester, New York. In 2016, RED started a major project to migrate from five existing coal fired boilers to four new natural gas fired boilers. The electric plant has a 125 MW firm capacity with backup inter-connections with the local public utility. Power is fed on to the parks grid at 13.8 kV and distributed through RED-Rochester’s local micro grid with redundant underground feeder cables to double-ended load centers/substations for highest the reliability and quality. Standard delivery the park customers is nominal 480 V, 3 phase alternating current. As part of this project it was necessary to upgrade the electrical distribution and controls throughout the park. ASSET’s initial engagement was with the boiler project EPC contractor, ESI of Tennessee. As the project moved beyond the boiler replacement scope to the electrical plant, RED engaged ASSET directly for much of the plant studies work and protection and controls upgrades.

ASSET performed an update to the electrical system model by data collection of protective devices, generators, and large motor loads in RED’s generation and boiler facilities. Metered load demand data provided throughout the Eastman Business Park allowed ASSET to accurately model the electrical power network for load flow purposes. Short circuit studies confirmed the existing breaker ratings and provided input to near term boiler plant changes. ASSET performed a network-wide protective coordination study and made recommendations for changes where miscoordination was found. ASSET performed the arc flash hazard study for the electrical network including all generation, utility ties, network distribution, and customer load buses, and provided arc flash labels with an instructive report to the site so that they may apply the labels.

ASSET created the design to upgrade the protection and controls on the 13.8 kV electrical system that included seventy-four (74) breakers, three (3) utility ties, six (6) reactor ties, and five (5) generators. Multiple options were evaluated, including use of DCS analog, binary, control interfaces, utility grade controller interfaces, and protective relay upgrades. The ultimate selection on the basis of cost, schedule, and resulting operational and maintenance benefit was the protective relay upgrade option, which extended the life of existing switchgear by replacement of electromechanical relays with microprocessor-based units, provided the hardened and long life interfaces to physical equipment, communicated with the new Emerson Ovation system with all needed reporting and control features, and provides load data for future system planning and recordings of unexpected system disruptions. ASSET performed all designs, developed new relay settings and logic programming, and collaborated with the site during installation.

ASSET’s scope of work was completed in 2019 with record drawings issued in the 2nd quarter of 2020.


Nucor-Yamoto Steel Plant (Blytheville, AR)
Nucor Corporation is a producer of steel and related products headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina. It is an American company and the largest steel producer in the United States. The Nucor-Yamato Steel Company was formed in 1987 as a joint venture between Nucor and Yamato Kogyo with the goal of operating a steel mini-mill to manufacture wide-flange beams in Blytheville, Arkansas. This plant has the capacity to produce over 2.5 million tons per year of structural steel products and is the largest structural steel mill in the Western Hemisphere. ASSET was engaged by Nucor-Yamato to perform an arc flash hazard analysis using EasyPower software for this plant to meet industry safety requirements. Half of the plant had been previously modeled in EasyPower and the other half in EDSA.

Our scope included transitioning the EDSA model to EasyPower, field verification of the
model accuracy and performing the following studies, calculations, and reports:

• Protective Device Coordination including development of Time Current Curves (TCC’s) for the entire system, detailing Zone Selective Interlock trip units to be installed
• Short Circuit Analysis, including Short Circuit Input and Output Reports
• Protective Device Coordination: including Time-Current Curves and Device Reports
• Perform arc flash hazard analysis, provided and installed arc flash labels
• Development and presentation of the report and findings
• Training for plant personnel


Nucor Steel Birmingham
Series Reactor Replacement
ASSET helped refine protection settings for the new Series Reactor and an existing Capacitor Bank. Overcurrent and Current Differential protection were provided for the Series Reactor, while Overvoltage and Current Un-balance protection was provided for the Capacitor Bank. Also during the upgrade, ASSET incorporated a new SCADA system through means of a Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories (SEL) 3530 Real-Time Automation Controller (RTAC) and added a Human Machine Interface (HMI). The addition of an RTAC HMI allowed for operators to instantly visualize the electrical system (breaker/switch statuses, current flow, etc.) on any computer connected to the Nucor Birmingham network.


Huntington Ingalls Industries Shipyard (Pascagoula, MS)
ASSET Engineering was selected to design, furnish, and install a new power metering and monitoring system for the facility. Mississippi Power Company (MPC) recognized the need for such a metering and monitoring system as it endeavors to aid all of its customers to be mindful of ways to continually become more energy efficient.