Engineering Inc. - November/December 2010 - (Page 21)

renewable-energy projects PROJECT: rgized By Darlene Bremer National Wind Technology Center Row 4 Turbines Infrastructure, Jefferson County, Colo. FIRM: MULTI-PROJECT FEATURE A The RMH Group, Inc., Lakewood, Colo. s alternative energy sources vie for position in the nation’s power mix, the National Wind Technology Center (NWTC) in Colorado is committed to ensuring that wind-power generation remains an important part of the conversation. To speed its adoption and make wind power more commercially attractive, proponents of the technology say they first need to improve the efficiencies of existing wind turbines to generate more robust, consistent power outputs. Generating more power and studying the underlying challenges of operational downtime was the goal last year when NWTC decided to add two new large wind turbines to its existing test site in Golden, Colo.: one 1.5 mega- watt (MW) turbine and one 2.3 MW turbine, with rotors stretching 253 feet and 335 feet in diameter, respectively. To design the power feeders for these additional turbines, the laboratory turned to The RMH Group, based in nearby Lakewood. The firm’s responsibilities included increasing the capacity of an existing power feeder on-site and adding a new power feeder with reserve capacity for a potential third turbine. “In addition to the power feeders, we also designed the data sheds and communications infrastructure that allow the scientists to access the data and control the towers and turbines,” says Dan Sandblom, project electrical engineer for RMH. Initial design work began in January 2009 and was completed that March. The company also served as the project’s construction administrator. Engineers were tasked with delivering a design that would connect the turbines to the existing electrical utility grid responsible for providing power to the Denver metropolitan area. “The two turbines have a combined generation capacity of about 500 MW hours per month, which is enough to power about 830 homes during the windy season,” says Sandblom. RMH represented NWTC at meetings with the utility to verify its electrical requirements and to develop a program that would coordinate the utility’s power protection relays with the breakers at the turbines. “This way, the new turbines were isolated during power failure, and the grid was protected from the turbines’ increased load,” explains Bill Green, president of RMH. Higher towers and larger Bill Green Dan Sandblom rotors enable the new turbines to tap into more robust wind patterns at higher elevations. “The project was considered so successful,” says Green, “that NREL is now considering the installation of even larger turbines using the RMH-designed infrastructure.” ENGINEERING INC. NOvEMbER / DECEMbER 2010 21

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Engineering Inc. - November/December 2010

Engineering Inc. - November/December 2010
Contents
From ACEC to You
News and Notes
Market Watch
Legislative Action
Power Play
2010 Fall Conference Highlights
Ins and Outs
Re-energized
Business Insights
Young Professionals of the Year
Members in the News

Engineering Inc. - November/December 2010