Image: Early works carried out by PSP Engineers fitting out the substation
Power Supply Projects were awarded a contract to design, build, deliver, install and commission a 25kV modular substation to energise the 25kV OLE single Test Track at Etches Park Depot – a railway traction and rolling stock maintenance depot (T&RSMD) operated by East Midlands Railway, situated in Derby.
This unique Substation derives its supply from a diesel generator set that provides a 2.5kV single phase supply to a 2.5kV/25kV step up transformer. This is an unusual arrangement where an OLE test track primary source of supply is from a generator set as opposed to a normal DNO supply. A feasibility study carried out at Etches Park Depot identified that the existing 11kV supply did not have enough capacity for the anticipated level of loading estimated at 1.4MVA from the connection of the test track. A more robust 11kV supply would be required from the DNO to meet this demand and would have resulted in considerable additional cost to the Project. After evaluating several options, the study concluded that the most cost-effective solution would be to utilise a generator in conjunction with a step-up transformer to provide the supply to the OLE test track.
The PSP design team worked in collaboration with the Client and the supply chain to produce the detailed design for the substation.
The PSP designed substation building comprises 3 sections – housing all equipment and cabling as listed below:
¬ 2.5kV/25kV Transformer
¬ 2.5kV Switchgear
¬ 25kV Switchgear
¬ 25kV Protection & Control Panel (System Control Panel)
¬ Battery Charger
¬ Marshalling Panel
¬ Return Current Busbar
¬ Housing Domestic Distribution
¬ Internal plant interconnection cabling/wiring
PSP’s project team coordinated the procurement and delivery of equipment and materials required for the manufacture of the new Etches Park Substation.
Video: Substation is delivered and off-loaded at Orion Park facility, with help from our logistics partners.
The substation module manufactured at Severfield was delivered at the start of the second week of February this year. PSP engineers in liaison with a contract lift subcontractor
successfully off-loaded the substation module from the haulage trailer at the our workshops in Crewe.
A team of specialist electrical engineers is now assembling, fitting-out equipment and wiring the substation module.
Once complete, the substation will undergo rigorous testing and commissioning before dispatch to Etches Park currently scheduled on 11/03/2024.