Comprehensive Electrical Protection Study for Military Base

To ensure operational safety of U.S. Forces Japan’s electrical grid, our team helped develop a protection study that identified potential hazards and leveraged GIS modeling.

Location

Japan

Client

InSynergy Engineering/U.S. Forces, Japan (USFJ)

Project Status

Completed

U.S. Forces, Japan (USFJ) needed to enhance the reliability and operational safety of the electrical distribution network serving one of its regional military bases.

This required a protection study to assess and enumerate hazards associated with operation of the medium voltage electrical system for this mission-critical facility, while also preparing for future expansion and emergency scenarios.

As a subcontractor to InSynergy Engineering under their Indefinite Delivery, Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) contract with Naval Facilities Engineering Systems Command Pacific (NAVFAC PAC), our team conducted an extensive analysis of the site's electrical distribution network.

This process facilitated the creation of finalized power flow scenarios, short circuit analysis, modeling to determine arc flash hazards and recommendations to reduce hazard levels where appropriate.

Detailed assessment

The project involved condition assessment of the existing infrastructure, meticulous verification of asset connectivity and analytical modeling to determine arc flash hazard levels throughout the system.

We gathered and compiled client GIS data, conducted an on-site survey of the installation's infrastructure, constructed a comprehensive medium voltage network model and performed in-depth analysis of various site conditions and operating scenarios.

Updated GIS model

Collected field data was integrated into the GIS database and the client’s GIS model was updated completely. This process facilitated the creation of finalized power flow scenarios, short circuit analysis, modeling to determine arc flash hazards and recommendations to reduce hazard levels where appropriate.

Where available fault current exceeded equipment ratings, recommendations were provided to mitigate over-dutied equipment conditions.

Improving safety, reliability and redundancy

By enhancing the quality and detail of the models, the project delivered a clearer and more detailed understanding of the base’s systems. The recommendations for improvements ensured that the electrical grid would be safer, more reliable and capable of withstanding potential disruptions with reduced impact to mission operations.