Although laying the power lines, constructing a new substation and providing the “go-juice” for the new $120 million Whirlpool plant — on a tight deadline — is weighing heavily on their minds, and backs, it’s only one of many developments occupying their time.
The same can be said for their counterparts in CU’s Water Division (see related article).
One such project is the relocation of electric lines along the Dalton Pike widening initiative that is requiring the attention of CU’s electric and water crews, as well as independent contractors. Jimmy Isom, manager of engineering in CU’s Electric Division, said crews in August focused on the southern end of the project.
“With the northern end from APD 40 to Fairview Drive S.E. being mostly complete, the contractor has set the remaining primary poles along Dalton Pike and has begun pulling in the primary conductor from Bell Road going north to Whispering Hills subdivision,” Isom explained during this week’s formal session of the Cleveland Utilities Board.
Not far away, electric crews installed underground facilities to serve the new pump station for irrigation at Cherokee Springs Golf Course. New cable has been installed to service two pumps.
Across town, a work order has been issued to install underground cable to serve the new apartment complex, “The Retreat at Spring Creek.” The development is located on the south side of APD 40 east of Parker Street. Isom said the new development will include eight apartment buildings (198 apartments), six garage buildings, a clubhouse and a pool.
The job will include laying 5,000 feet of underground primary conductor and 15 “single phase pad-mounted” transformers, Isom said.
Crews are completing repair work to the Burlington substation that suffered a major outage in August.
“A new load tap changer is being ordered to replace the failed unit that caused the substation outage,” Isom explained. “These units are used to keep the voltage level regulated at the substation. As we checked out the unit, it was discovered that several parts and components were damaged or compromised.”
Isom said based on this investigation, crews made the decision to replace the entire unit due to its age and the number of damaged components. New equipment cost will be $54,720. The equipment’s purchase was approved by CU board members.
In other developments at this week’s meeting at the Mountain View Inn, the board:
- Approved pilot agreements for the Seasonal Demand and Energy (SDE) and the Time-Differentiated Hours Use of Demand (TDHUD) rates. These rates will provide lower-cost energy to customers based on time of use. Although the new system won’t be available to general users (those using 1,000 or less kilowatt-hours) until April 1, 2011, they are being provided to four major industrial customers effective Oct. 1. CU General Manager Tom Wheeler said the new program is still being tweaked in a partnership with TVA.
- Approved a $61,595 purchase order with Hampton Backhoe Services Inc. for the installation of 1,993 lineal feet of 6-inch water line to replace a small galvanized line along Emmett Avenue N.W. between Willow Street and Nuckolls Avenue.
- Approved a $175,799.25 purchase order with Hampton Backhoe Services for the installation of 6,443 lineal feet of 6-inch water line to replace small galvanized lines along Haywood Drive, Redbud Drive, Azalea Drive and Sycamore Drive N.W.
- Approved a $914,910 purchase order for two power transformers from Stansberry & Associates to serve the new substation to be built near the Benton Pike and Old Powerline Road intersection. The substation will serve the new Whirlpool plant and surrounding areas, including other large customers and residential users.
- The CU board’s next meeting is scheduled for Oct. 28 at 3 p.m. in the CU Training Center.
