Science Applications International Corp. is supporting Green Mountain Power during the implementation of its smart grid program over the next three years.
GMP is leveraging a statewide “Light the Fiber” initiative in Vermont that will interconnect fiber optic cable to approximately 65 substations in the GMP territory. GMP and its extended engineering team from SAIC are implementing a solution to connect each substation’s Local Area Network to the fiber backbone.
Substation automation improvements include upgraded regulator and recloser controls, motor-operated devices on critical air break switches, 34 kV directional fault indicators, enhanced engineering access, and SCADA connectivity. Distribution automation improvements include additional sectionalizing devices, upgraded recloser and capacitor controls, 12 kV fault indicators, and automatic feeder restoration. Through combining distance-to-fault information with wireless fault locating equipment, GMP looks to make a significant leap in restoring service during unplanned outages.
SAIC has issued two separate Requests for Bids (RFB) for year-one grid automation plans for 14 substations and is providing a standard solution for improvements to five additional substations to be modified by GMP crews. The RFB for relay panels and relay enclosures was issued March 28 and consisted of technical requirements that included 29 engineering drawings prepared by SAIC. The RFB for construction labor was issued April 11 and consisted of technical requirements that included 130 engineering drawings prepared by SAIC. SAIC also supported GMP in developing a RFB for advanced metering infrastructure technologies including installation services and associated project management.