Substation 1 Rebuild

The Municipal was in need of a new electrical substation.  The existing one was supplied by an overhead 34.5 kV transmission line.  It had one feeder that was split into a north and south feed.  It supplied energy at 4.16 kV.  The city has been undergoing a voltage conversion project to operate at a higher voltage.  City personnel removed their old 34.5 - 4.16 kV substation and tasked Allgeier, Martin and Associates to replace it.

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The new substation needed to meet several key requirements: it had to fit within a very small footprint, maintain a low-profile design, and be a padmount unit. Additionally, it was required to operate at 34.5 – 12.47 kV and include three distribution feeders equipped with protective devices.

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The City hired Allgeier Martin to design this new substation. Several challenges required thoughtful planning and coordination. These included managing water drainage from the adjacent paved lot and the slope of the surrounding area, addressing secondary containment needs related to that drainage, working within the compact site, and coordinating with another electric utility to supply 34.5 kV.

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In addition to these design and coordination efforts, the City wanted the substation to support efficient and modern operations for their linemen. Crews are now able to drive up to the site and check data or
settings using a phone, tablet, or laptop—without entering the substation. Feeder switching can also be performed remotely, with no need to physically connect a laptop to the protective devices. The
system even allows for the option of tying the distribution feeders together outside of the substation, providing greater operational flexibility.

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Allgeier Martin was able to meet this challenge.  Our staff designed this substation, procured materials, handled a turnkey construction contract and performed a final inspection.  We designed the transmission input to the substation.  Our staff also redesigned the distribution feeders that run adjacent to the substation. There was no existing substation to remove.

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