Hydroelectric power plant automation and modernisation

As aging hydroelectric plants across North America reach the end of their lifecycle, Eaton's Electrical Services & Systems team provides customized, turnkey project management for your modernization needs. With a complete range of solutions to extend equipment life, reduce costs and enhance reliability, Eaton breathes new life into aging facilities. The following stories provide a brief snapshot into Eaton’s hydroelectric plant modernization capabilities.

Helping a utility to become NERC compliant

Challenge

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.