It was not possible to feature complete articles on every major power project that PB is involved in or has completed recently so, instead, we are presenting brief summaries of some of these projects that help to illustrate our capabilities.

Rendering of 250-MW Peaking Plant in Wallingford, Connecticut

Wallingford Energy Project

The cleanest peaking power plant in the world is how this new 250-MW plant will be known to many. It will be that and much more. The Wallingford Energy Project will provide peaking power in a region of Connecticut that the state governor identified as needing additional peaking capacity. It will provide two new 115 kV transmission line interconnects to the existing power grid and extensive upgrades to Wallingford's switchyard. The peaking plant's new 115 kV substation will be tied in with the town's substation in a ring bus arrangement to provide a third 115 kV transmission line. This third line will be available to bring power into the Wallingford substation in the event of a regional blackout.

PB Power is responsible for the design of the Wallingford Energy Project. Barton Mallow, our consortium partner, is responsible for procurement and construction of the facility. The new power generation equipment consists of five new aero-derivative combustion gas turbine generators that will be fired on natural gas fuel only. Air pollution control will be achieved by injecting water into the combustors and by incorporating selective catalytic reduction on each of the turbines to treat the exhaust gas. The combined effect will be to reduce nitrous oxide emission levels to 2.5 parts per million or less for each unit.

The project will be designed and landscaped to improve the view of the facility from homes in the area. It will also include extensive measures to reduce noise and to meet stringent state emissions requirements. Operations at the facility are expected to begin in June 2001. Roger Lemos and Jay Johnson are the Project Managers.

Under Construction Photo of Site at Orange, Texas

Sabine 120 MW Cogeneration Project

PB Power provided complete engineering and design services for this turnkey, design/build 120-MW cogeneration plant in Orange, Texas. The facility is intended to provide in excess of 90 percent of Bayer Corporation Rubber Plant's electrical and steam requirements. Excess power will be sold to the grid.

This highly efficient plant is comprised of two combustion turbine generators, two heat recovery steam generators and one non-condensing steam turbine generator. Its primary fuel is natural gas. Special provisions were included in the design of this highly efficient plant to handle the condensate that forms in the stack. Automatic bypass control of the preheater and economizer provide optimum efficiency under varying loads.

Poor soil conditions and limited space for equipment created challenges for the design team. High groundwater and unstable soil made it necessary to design wastewater lift stations to keep the waste sumps and oil water separator as close to grade as possible. This approach avoided the costs associated with sheet piles and groundwater pumps. To deal with the limited space, we performed several maintenance access studies to ensure that all the equipment could be removed and maintained with readily available equipment.

We also incorporated a single-pedestal pipe support system in the design that was similar to one we had developed for another project. This system allows the pipe contractor to do most of the welding at grade. Sixty-foot lengths of pipe can be lifted onto the rack at one time because there are none of the vertical obstructions that are typical of conventional pipe rack designs.

The project was completed in December 1999. The facility performs well, providing a reliable supply of electricity and steam to Bayer Corporation. Jay Johnson served as project manager.

The Sabiya Power Station in Kuwait is one of the world's largest oil-fired plants.

Sabiya Power Station

PB is serving as owner's engineer for the Kuwait Ministry of Electricity and Water for one of the world's largest oil/gas-fired plants-the 2,400-MW Sabiya Power Station. The facility will play an important role in meeting Kuwait's rapidly increasing demand for electricity.

We were responsible for performing studies, preparing specifications and tender documents, adjudicating tenders, awarding contracts, conducting detailed civil design and mechanical and electrical contract design review, supervising civil engineering and building works, installing M&E plant and equipment. We are now overseeing final commissioning and testing.

The project commenced in 1988, was interrupted by the Gulf War in 1990, resumed in 1993, and is now in the final stages of completion. The plant commenced operations in August 2000, with six of eight 300-MW units in operation. Full plant completion is anticipated in the first quarter of 2001. Eric Burton was the original Project Manager; the current Project Manager is Bill Weddell, who is resident on site in Kuwait.

Improvement Study of the Operation of the Greek Transmission System

PB Power is conducting a major, comprehensive study of Greece's transmission system as a precursor to deregulation of the country's electricity system. The aim of our study is to investigate all transmission related areas and to recommend measures to enhance the system's reliability, efficiency and security.

The interconnected power system of Greece covers the mainland and some islands in the Ionian Sea. Thermal and hydropower plants are connected to a 150 kV sub-transmission network and a 400 kV grid that is interconnected with the neighbouring power networks of Albania, Bulgaria and the former Yugoslavian Republic of Macedonia. This network, together with the network in Romania and Yugoslav networks, forms a separate synchronous grid.

The study includes a complete technical audit of the existing transmission organisation and assets and a full review of operation and maintenance procedures and staffing in order to assure that the system performance will meet recognized international benchmarks. Fred Carr is the Project Manager.