CLIENT:
BHP Nickel West Pty Ltd
LOCATION:
Kalgoorlie, Western Australia
BEC SCOPE:
BEC Engineering was engaged to design a new 11 kV switchroom and switchboard to replace the site’s aging power-house switchboard. The scope included procurement, detailed design and commissioning support for the switchroom and switchboard.
CLIENT OBJECTIVES:
By installing the new switchboard and switchroom, the Client aimed to improve the reliability of their 11 kV power supply and distribution. Additionally, the project aimed to increase safety and ease of operation for site personnel. As always, secondary objectives included minimising impact to site operations and delivering in an efficient, cost effective and timely manner.
CHALLENGES:
The site is over 50 years old, and contains a mix of different technology that has been rolled out over that time. Examples include paper/lead insulated cables, ageing PLCs and asbestos. The site was space constrained, and combined with cranage limitations this required the switchboard to be installed on-site, panel by panel. As the new switchboard serves to tie in multiple sources of 11 kV power to the site’s distribution network, it contains a large number of panels, and considerable variety of application as well. The board comprises 5 interconnector panels, 7 feeders and 2 generator incomers.
BEC Engineering implemented site-first digital-differential protection on 3 of the interconnector panels and implemented IEC61850 for monitoring and SCADA through the HV protection relays.
OUTCOME:
The project was completed within budget, with successful integration into the existing powerhouse network. The upgraded switchboard has improved the operability of the site’s 11 kV network. A remote switching panel installed in the switchroom allows the switchboard to be operated remotely, improving safety outcomes for site staff. Enhanced protection has been implemented, improving the ability of the system to quickly detect and isolate
