Crestchic, specialist loadbank manufacturer and loadbank rental company, has provided the Southeast Alaska Power Agency (SEAPA) with a containerised 5MW capacity loadbank for its Swan Lake Reservoir expansion project to increase its capacity. The project totalled £10 million to complete and the 25 per cent increase in active water storage will eliminate 18 million pounds of CO2 from being emitted into the atmosphere annually. Crestchic’s loadbank was to be used to safeguard the project by preventing spillage onto the construction site.

Alaska SEAPA

SEAPA is a not-for-profit joint agency of the state of Alaska that supplies utility wholesale power. The Swan Lake plant, a 22MW hydro-electrical facility, is part of an isolated electrical system connecting the communities of Petersburg, Wrangell, and Ketchikan, in Alaska. When the organisation planned to expand the plant’s spillway, from about 86,000 acre-feet to 111,800 acre-feet, it identified the need to rent a loadbank to ensure electrical load was available during the project to control water levels. Normally, during times of high inflows and low electrical loads, excess water, an average of 35,000 acre-feet, is released over the spillway. During construction, when the spillway would be out of use, water levels needed to be managed to avoid spill. The loadbank was to be used to ensure that at least one, and usually two, generating units could consume water and prevent spill.

Trey Acteson, CEO of SEAPA, commented: “Crestchic has been vital in the success of this project. They not only delivered a product that was suitable to the application, but also went above and beyond to ensure the equipment was successfully installed and commissioned; and workers onsite where fully trained in its operation. Without their expert knowledge and experience, this project simply would not have been completed on time.”

The area receives a high level of rainfall, an average of 153 inches per year, falling more heavily in autumn and winter. Due to the wet climate, timing was of particular importance for this project to avoid these peak months. The loadbank was needed from May to October, and it was imperative the project was completed on time. This meant logistics, installation and commissioning was key to ensuring this projects success.

Alaska SEAPA

The organisation sent out a request for a containerised 5MW loadbank that could operate continuously up to the required capacity outdoors in an often damp and rainy atmosphere. Crestchic was one of three companies to bid for the work and was selected because of its unique ability to meet the exact requirements and provide installation and commissioning support. The containerised loadbank provided by Crestchic combats some of the challenges that can arise working in these conditions. Crestchic’s rain resistant loadbanks are designed with the transformer inside to step down the voltage to a safe level. Traditionally, most resistors cannot work in wet conditions and can require elaborate protection, which can be costly.

Crestchic worked with the organisation to ensure the loadbank was delivered to the remote location on schedule and supported onsite with the installation and commissioning. The company also provided training for SEAPA employees and was on hand to support the team for the duration of the project.

Trey Acteson, CEO of SEAPA, commented: “Crestchic has been vital in the success of this project. They not only delivered a product that was suitable to the application, but also went above and beyond to ensure the equipment was successfully installed and commissioned; and workers onsite where fully trained in its operation. Without their expert knowledge and experience, this project simply would not have been completed on time.”

Damien Raspe, General Manager at Crestchic commented “This was an extremely interesting project to be a part of. Helping the organisation to not only overcome logistical challenges with the remote location but also operational challenges with the extremely rainy climate. All in all, we have established a promising relationship with SEAPA and look forward to working with them again in the future should the opportunity present itself.”

Alaska SEAPA

Swan Lake fast facts
• The project equates to a reduction of 3,636,872 litres of diesel fuel annually
• Expansion will provide up to 12,000 MWh of additional energy
• The cost to complete final design, construction engineering, project management and construction is approximately £10 million