Utility Engineering Solutions Ltd has completed a turnkey contestable electrical connections project for a new biomass plant in Basildon.

Timely delivery and execution of the contestable works was crucial to achieving tight project deadlines.

The Need Marsh Farm 500kW CHP farm-biogas plant was developed by Biowatt, specialists in the field of anaerobic digestion.

Construction of the biomass plant began in June 2016 with official G59 approval required by September 2016.

Biowatt required an 11kV connection to the local UK Power Networks’ distribution network for both import and export power.

Due to the export requirements, the supply was to be metered at 11kV, with a separate substation required to house the Biowatt transformer and to supply power to the UKPN substation for battery and tripping supplies.

Project Details

The UES turnkey solution included the establishment of a new HV metering substation to be adopted by UKPN, comprising of high voltage switchgear and 11kV metering, complete with Code of Practice 5 HV metering panel and emergency trip.

The contestable network design included the supply and installation of a neutral voltage displacement relay and associated battery unit, as well as installation of power and lighting within the UKPN substation.

A separate transformer substation was established by UES, comprising of an 800kVA, ONAN, 11/0.433kV transformer and a 3-way transformer mounted pillar. The 3-way pillar was designed for connection of the export generator, parasitic LV supplies to the biomass plant and a supply to the UKPN distribution substation.

All equipment was specified, procured and installed by UES.

Challenges 

The programme to design, supply and install substation equipment was challenging, as the PoC was to be confirmed, the design to be approved and equipment to be procured, all within an eight-week timeframe.

That said, UES took on the challenge and by capitalising on our knowledge of UKPN plant requirements, orders were placed as soon as the design was approved. The transformer was procured at the same time, with the manufacturer’s agreement to supply and deliver within 6 weeks.

Once the equipment landed on site, UES fitting and jointing teams set to work and completed all connection aspects over the course of a very long weekend!

The Benefits

According to Georgi Zlatev, engineer and Head of Project Development at Biowatt, “UES responded promptly to our enquiry, having worked with us from initial connection application to completion and energisation of the HV and LV infrastructure. This exceptional service has allowed us to complete our project and export power onto the grid in line with our project timescales.”