Page 36 - IEC Insights Nov-Dec19

GREEN CONSTRUCTION
(ENERGY EFFICIENT RETROFIT)

IEC NATIONAL 2019 AWARDS | EXCELLENCE IN ELECTRICAL CONSTRUCTION

WEIFIELD GROUP

CONTRACTING

COLORADO SCHOOL OF MINES ISOC PROJECT

Weifield Group Contracting was recognized for its engineering services for the project. PowerSecure’s solution
work on Colorado School of Mines ISOC Project. includes three banks of Volvo 600kW generators (five
generators in bank) that are paralleled together across a
When the Colorado School of Mines (CSM) heard of an Xcel medium voltage bus and tied into the primary service on
Energy rebate program that could save them hundreds the CSM campus – to allow them to operate as one unit.
of thousands of dollars per year, they took action on
implementing an innovative solution that would ensure its PowerSecure’s responsibility is to ensure the generators are
backup generation capability for decades to come. The paralleled together and are sequenced/phased properly to
2018 Colorado Interruptible Service Option Credit (ISOC) kick off at the right times. This innovative generator plant
program offers significant savings opportunities for project was a first of its kind for Weifield. Weifield’s piece
Colorado businesses that can reduce their electric demand of the solution included a design-assist installation
when notified. During periods of peak demand, such Weifield also served as a strong local presence for
as hot summer days, Xcel Energy’s system may require East Coast-based PowerSecure.
more power than is normally available; customers who
participate in the ISOC program help reduce the amount This was a very complex installation due to the large project
of electricity Xcel purchases or generates, which helps scope – including medium voltage work, grading, conduit,
Xcel meet electric system requirements at critical times. concrete paths, low voltage work, installed generators,
As a participant, companies receive a monthly credit medium voltage gear, transformers, communications
when they take their energy usage ‘off of the grid’ – the fiber wire pulls – all tied to existing switches requiring
more load they agree to control, the more they’ll save. hot work and parallels with existing switches.

The CSM wanted to save money through this rebate Rapidly shrinking timelines quickly became Weifield’s critical
program and to provide additional reliability to campus focus. The site conditions were a challenge for the holistic
functions in the event the university loses power – so, team as there was a very narrow physical constraint between
substantial backup generator capacity was installed the west boundary of the site and one of the campus
in order to achieve the university’s goal of having buildings, and other physical constraints that were not
its own generator farm powering the campus. entirely anticipated. Weifield was able to sneak the electrical
duct bank through this section despite its narrow area.
CSM partnered with East Coast-based PowerSecure, a Adding to the schedule pressure were the many risks which
leading provider of energy solutions to electric utilities and Weifield had to navigate for a successful implementation –
their customers, to provide the innovative medium voltage, such as termination of equipment, a large amount of control
utility-grade generator plant solution and the associated wiring, feeders, and the precise medium voltage work.

34 Insights Magazine | November/December 2019 | www.ieci.org