Projects

Power Projects

Location: Quebec, Canada

  • Problem Definition:
    As part of an expansion project, the client wanted to add a new compressor station beside the existing one. The new station required a new 25KV system to supply power to the large compressors.
  • EAMEC Scope:
    • Complete power system studies including short circuit, coordination, Arc Flash
    • Protection matrix and logic diagram development
    • Relays setting files development for SEL relays at 25KV
    • Harmonics analysis for Les-Cedres compressor station
    • Detailed grounding studies using CDEGS / SES software
  • Proposed Solution:
    • Collaborate with ILF Engineering’s design group and incorporate their inputs to complete the studies.
  • Steps Taken:
    • Engineering and vendor data collection
    • Hydro Quebec power system data collection
    • Developed P&C matrix
    • Conducted power system studies followed by the protection relay setting file development
    • Provided construction support
  • Outcomes and Benefits for the Client:
    • A properly designed and studied system for their new operations.

Location: Alberta Canada

  • Problem Definition:
    Major oil producer’s power systems own and operate numerous critical HV and MV equipment such as switchgears, power transformers, and power cables, which must be highly reliable to minimize production losses. Aging assets require additional monitoring to predict failures in advance, allowing proper planning for repairs or replacements.
  • EAMEC Scope
    • Owner’s Engineering and project management
    • Technical review, including project scope and execution strategy development
    • Bid document preparation and technical & commercial bid evaluation
    • Construction support and sustainment planning
  • Proposed Solution:
    • Implement online monitoring of transformer dissolved gas analyzers, temperature sensors, and partial discharge activities in switchgears and MV/HV cables
    • Develop asset health indices and dashboards for transformer test results
  • Outcomes and Benefits for the Client:
    • Increase reliability
    • Benefit of $740K per year
    • Adding more accurate long-term planning capability for the equipment in the scope

Location: Nevada, USA

  • Problem Definition:
    Coeur operates a large power system at the Rochester Mine site, which includes over 1000 buses ranging from 208V to 230KV. Multiple expansion projects have been completed in recent years, and the client wanted to ensure the integrity of the power system, verify protection settings, and update Arc Flash calculations per NFPA 70E requirements to enhance system reliability.
  • EAMEC Scope:
    • Perform short circuit, protection coordination, and arc-flash study for the entire system, including 230KV, 69KV, 4.16KV, 480V, and 208V levels.
  • Proposed Solution:
    • Conduct a comprehensive assessment of the existing ETAP model and develop a detailed power system study incorporating updated field data.
  • Steps Taken:
    • Developed a site-specific protection guideline to standardize the approach across different areas.
    • Reviewed the existing ETAP model and validated data against field-collected information and the latest As-Built Single Line Diagrams.
    • Examined current protection settings and devices.
    • Identified mis-coordination issues between protective devices.
    • Detected equipment with inadequate short-circuit ratings.
    • Calculated arc-flash incident energy and arc-flash boundary for all equipment.
    • Proposed revised protective device settings to improve system reliability and reduce incident energy.
    • Generated a report with updated Arc Flash labels.
  • Outcomes and Benefits for the Client:
    • Improved system safety and reliability.
    • Compliance with NFPA 70E and IEEE 1584 standards.
    • Enhanced record-keeping for power system management.

Location: Quebec, Canada

  • Problem Definition:
    As part of an expansion project, the client wanted to add a new compressor station beside the existing one. The new station required a new 25KV system to supply power to the large compressors.
  • EAMEC Scope:
    • Complete power system studies including short circuit, coordination, Arc Flash
    • Protection matrix and logic diagram development
    • Relays setting files development for SEL relays at 25KV
    • Harmonics analysis for Les-Cedres compressor station
    • Detailed grounding studies using CDEGS / SES software
  • Proposed Solution:
    • Collaborate with ILF Engineering’s design group and incorporate their inputs to complete the studies.
  • Steps Taken:
    • Engineering and vendor data collection
    • Hydro Quebec power system data collection
    • Developed P&C matrix
    • Conducted power system studies followed by the protection relay setting file development
    • Provided construction support
  • Outcomes and Benefits for the Client:
    • A properly designed and studied system for their new operations.

Location: Nigeria

  • Problem Definition:
    The World Bank has regular programs to build technical capacity in partner countries to transfer knowledge to utility workers and familiarize them with best practices for reliability and maintenance of power transmission systems.
  • EAMEC Scope:
    • Conduct a specialized training program under the World Bank initiative for 720 engineers from the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) over three months.
    • Provide training on:
    • Protection and Control
    • Transformers, Switchgear, and Substation Equipment
    • Overhead and Underground Power Lines
  • Proposed Solution:
    • Deploy knowledgeable instructors to client locations to train a large number of utility engineers.
    • Offer direct interaction with instructors experienced in North American practices.
    • Conduct practical exercises during in-person training workshops.
  • Steps Taken:
    • Train instructors on technical topics and local cultures.
    • Prepare a list of required equipment for workshops and hands-on training.
    • Coordinate with the client for scheduling, visas, flights, and accommodations.
    • Deliver training sessions in Abuja and Enugu, Nigeria.
  • Outcomes and Benefits for the Client:

Trainees apply newly acquired knowledge to daily operations, enhancing long-term system reliability.

Reliability Projects

Location: Quebec, Canada

Problem Definition:
The client experienced excessive vibration of piping in one of their critical and large facilities during startup and shutdown.

EAMEC Scope:

  • Review the piping system and field observations.
  • Investigate the root cause of vibration.
  • Provide mitigations to reduce or eliminate vibration.
  • Develop a Construction Work Package for the field construction company to execute the changes.
  • Provide construction support during the modifications.

Proposed Solution:

  • Conduct dynamic analysis on the piping system.
  • Install anti-vibration clamps at key locations.
  • Review and reinforce pipe support structures to withstand dynamic forces.

Steps Taken:

  • Reviewed pressure surge profiles and calculated unbalanced forces.
  • Built a stress model for the piping and performed a time history analysis.
  • Reviewed vibration modes and matched with field observations.
  • Proposed anti-vibration pipe clamps and structural reinforcements.

Deliverables:

  • Dynamic analysis report.
  • Construction work package for modifications.

Outcomes and Benefits for the Client:

  • Significant reduction or elimination of vibration.
  • Safer system operation and prolonged service life.
  • Prevention of high costs due to vibration-induced failures.

Location: Canada

Problem Definition:
Sentech, a well-known Norwegian manufacturer of Water Cut Meters (WCM), needed CRN certification to use their products in Alberta and Saskatchewan. Without CRN, the products could not be deployed in any Canadian site.

EAMEC Scope:

  • Engineering and project management.
  • Cost estimate for project execution.
  • Cost savings and Return on Investment (ROI) calculation.

Proposed Solution:

  • Take ownership of the entire registration and engineering process.

Steps Taken:

  • Filed applications with Alberta Boilers Safety Association (ABSA) to obtain CRN for various sizes and applications of Water Cut Meters.
  • Performed finite element analysis for non-standard items.
  • Prepared all required documentation, including NDT requirements and hydro-test pressure calculations.
  • Acted as liaison between client and ABSA to address requirements.
  • Finalized approval and delivered CRN certificates to the client.

Deliverables:

  • Approved CRN for each equipment type.

Outcomes and Benefits for the Client:

  • Enabled sales and deployment of Water Cut Meters in Canada.

Location: Alberta

Problem Definition:
To increase reliability in power systems and establish an integrated reliability program across different business units, a major oil producer company launched a new initiative to address gaps and create a best-in-class reliability program for Transmission and Distribution (T&D) systems in the Wood Buffalo Area.

EAMEC Scope:

  • Project management, technical support, and owner’s engineering.

Proposed Solution:

  • Work with Suncor teams to create a comprehensive master data set, including a preventive maintenance program for Medium Voltage and High Voltage assets in substations and power lines.

Steps Taken:

  • Developed a Computerized Maintenance Management System (CMMS) and master data for over 14,000 tags in SAP.
  • Conducted field validation of drawings and created As-Built documentation.
  • Performed criticality ranking and risk assessments for each tag.
  • Developed and optimized maintenance strategies based on the Reliability Centered Maintenance (RCM) model.
  • Created maintenance procedures and checklists in compliance with regulatory standards.
  • Evaluated equipment conditions and conducted contingency planning reviews.
  • Provided recommendations to enhance reliability.
  • Developed spare parts and stock strategies, liaised with vendors, and ensured sourcing.
  • Implemented reliability solutions for obsolete and critical equipment.
  • Integrated remote measurement data and asset condition monitoring.
  • Provided support for SAP Master and Transactional Data maintenance.
  • Conducted engineering evaluations to assess equipment fit for service versus replacement.

Deliverables:

  • A comprehensive database covering over 14,000 power system tags.

Outcomes and Benefits for the Client:

  • Increased reliability of High Voltage and Medium Voltage systems.
  • Reduced production losses due to electrical system failures.

Location: Ontario

Problem Definition:
Optimize equipment strategy to ensure safe, reliable, efficient, and compliant operation by allocating resources where they matter while meeting safety and regulatory requirements.

EAMEC Scope:

  • Review and analyze 10,000 equipment tags.
  • Identify safety, regulatory, or operational PM requirements.
  • Define asset criticalities.
  • Create asset strategy forms for different equipment groups.
  • Review and update or create new PM procedures.

Deliverables:

  • Asset strategy forms.
  • Redlined or new procedures.

Outcomes and Benefits for the Client:

  • Compliance with safety and regulatory requirements.
  • Cost savings by reducing required PM manhours.
  • Consistency in PM strategy and criticality assessment based on equipment type and application.

Location: Ontario

Problem Definition:
Improve the reliability of valves and actuators by defining appropriate PM strategies and identifying,
investigating, and eliminating bad actors.

EAMEC Scope:

  • Conduct a comprehensive reliability analysis.
  • Develop asset strategy forms.
  • Evaluate technologies for valve internal leakage testing.
  • Establish a multi-year valve replacement program.

Deliverables:

  • Valves and Actuators Reliability Analysis Report.
  • Asset Strategy Forms.
  • Evaluation of technologies for valve internal leakage testing.
  • Multi-year Valve Replacement Program.

Outcomes and Benefits for the Client:

  • Compliance with safety and regulatory requirements.
  • Cost savings by reducing required PM manhours.
  • Improved consistency in PM strategies.
  • Enhanced reliability for valves and actuators.