Case Study

Power Infrastructure Feasibility Study

Powder River Basin

Wyoming

Power Infrastructure

Power Sub-Transmission & Distribution Design

Scope
Coordinate with Utilities to obtain Interconnection Information
Provide Preliminary Substation Designs
Provide Preliminary Power Distribution Designs
Provide Options and Cost Estimate Breakdowns for Utility Interconnections, Substations, Power Distribution, and Power Generation
Evaluate Renewable Energy Integration Options

Challenge
This client approached Halker to perform a feasibility study and preliminary design for the required power infrastructure to supply around 45 MW of electrical load over an 8 mile stretch near Wright, WY. Halker was tasked with looking into providing kWh rate options and several utility interconnection options, providing preliminary designs for utility interconnection metering stations, substations, the power distribution system, and looking at cost breakdown for the various options. The solutions were put together and presented to the client with cost break-downs, ROI break-downs, and recommendations to provide the client with the best options for building out their power system for their facilities.

Solution
Halker provided the client with the best kWh rate optimization in its designs. This meant that the client either interconnect to the local utility and have generation offset the net supplied power during peak charge rate times or consider islanding from the local utility with a gas-turbine generation plant. Additionally, Halker provided a preliminary design for a 230kV to 35kV, 50MVA, secondary-side main-tie-main substation with 4 secondary-side feeders. Additionally, Halker prepared a preliminary design for a 69kV to 35kV substation, a preliminary 35kV power distribution pole layout standard, an interconnection plan and design and a suggested corridor routing of distribution lines. Halker also delivered cost break downs for all equipment and construction, suggested that a combined cycle generation option would reduce utility kWh costs for both islanding conditions and utility interconnection options, and provided wind and solar interconnection options and cost break-downs.