Auckland International Airport Electrical Centre
Project Scope
The project was to upgrade the 33kV/11kV Power Intake Centre and involved the installation of a new switchboard and its associated works.
Challenges
The biggest challenge was to ensure the operations of the country’s largest international airport and the Gateway to New Zealand were not disrupted. Any loss of supply would have disrupted aircraft operations with the potential of huge knockon effects leading to a negative perception of Auckland’s and New Zealand’s infrastructure reliability.
Solutions
It was essential all parties were kept fully briefed. We conducted weekly progress meetings with Auckland Airport, Air New Zealand and Vector to review the tasks and resolve any issues.
The critical phase was the transformer shutdown and new connection work. Very early we developed a comprehensive commissioning plan including an extensive and detailed risk management process. Mitigating the risks of unplanned outages even went to the extent of requesting Manukau City Council not to issue any Road Opening Notices along the routes of the 33kV supplies to the airport.
During the four-day shutdown period one transformer was taken out of service while the new incomer and bus-tie cables were connected and the new switchboard energised. During this period our team of 6 Electrical Technicians and Fitters worked 15 hour shifts in order to meet strict deadlines. This then allowed the six feeder cables to be migrated to the new switchboard without loss of supply. As each feeder was migrated to the new switchboard the corresponding protection at each of the Airport Power Centres was upgraded.
Results
Due to the briefings, the meticulous preparation work and the comprehensive commissioning plan we were able to provide the client with confi dence in our ability to execute the project. The team comprising Project Managers, Electrical Technicians and Fitters executed the commissioning and cable migration phase according to plan and completed the entire project ahead of schedule without any unplanned outages.
“I am delighted to see that all the designing, checking, civil works, cable laying, jointing and total system livening, as well as the livening of the new main switchboard and the complex and the exhaustive task of testing all links has proceeded to successful cut over.”
“Likewise, those involved from Northpower played a huge role in ensuring that the supply to the airport was not compromised via the project works at any stage.“
Anil Varma, Engineering Support Services
Manager Auckland International Airport Limited.
FACTS AND FIGURES
- 14 panel 11kV Gas Insulated switchboard
- 6 feeder cables to new switchboard
- 110 DC charge system with 2 battery banks
- 11kV 1C 630mm2 incomer and bus-tie cables
- 33kV differential line protection at Transpower
Did you know?
We use a spiking gun to check if an underground cable is live before beginning work. This is a clamp which we fix around the cable. Attached to the clamp is a spike, which is driven into the cable by an explosive charge. The charge can be fired by someone who is well away from the cable by pulling a string which is attached to the firing trigger.
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