The challenge
After a tropical storm caused major flooding in a heavy industrial chemical facility, AllianceEPC responded immediately to our client’s need to assess the damage and determine a solution to quickly regain use of the facility.
Portable generators were procured to provide temporary power to the entire plant while AllianceEPC’s team began the restoration activities. Switchgear was dried and cleaned, and power was then quickly restored to facilitate site production. Some gear was too damaged to regain power, so temporary high voltage bypasses were installed as a short-term solution.
To prevent this set-back from happening again, AllianceEPC designed a new elevated switchgear house (lifting it from its previous on-grade elevation) to avoid this issue during future flooding events.
Using our 3D laser scanning technology, we designed the new fuses to fit in very tight spots that were in close proximity to the compromised gear. We expedited the new distribution equipment, and managed the rapid installation and start-up, without incurring any additional downtime at the facility.
the Results
- Rapid post-disaster onsite response to assess damage and design plans to regain power
- Worked to repair salvageable equipment and create temporary fixes where needed
- Innovated a new design to prevent future flood damage
- Utilized laser scanning technology to ensure all equipment fit properly into limited available space
- Construction was completed and started without additional downtime
