A new Autonomous Drive 115-34.5kV Substation at Camp Hall was constructed in 2024, and thanks to some modern-day ingenuity, the process was more efficient than ever.
“With this substation, we piloted a new ‘delivery’ method whereby the main modules are fabricated and assembled completely offsite, and then transported on large flatbeds to the site," said Manager of Substation Civil Design Robert Blackwell. "This is our first time using this method, which ultimately saved Santee Cooper time and money, and resulted in a higher quality installation.”
This “factory-built” substation model has been around for about a decade. It has been used by some of the largest investor-owned utilities in the country, and it mitigates some of the challenges of onsite construction from the ground up. “These challenges include erecting the steel, attaching the arms, mounting insulators and other electrical equipment, and mounting and adjusting many disconnect switches,” said Blackwell. “This entire process can be challenging, particularly when the construction is done at the mercy of the elements.”
Other benefits to factory-built substations include:
- Safety: Building in a factory-controlled environment helps mitigate the potential for accidents because it reduces the amount of field construction time and time in an energized substation.
- Quality: Factory construction allows the fabricator to implement more protocols and procedures that are not conducive to site constructed facilities.
- Schedule: Building in a controlled environment eliminates the potential for weather-related delays.
- Environmental: Working in a factory provides tighter controls on waste stream.
Santee Cooper is proud to use innovative technology, which enables growth, drives efficiency and ensures our long-term success. The Autonomous Drive 115-34.5kV Substation was energized on May 13, 2024.