Electrical Power: specialists in electricity supply Emergency service, expansion and advice
Replacing a defective transformer quickly. Arranging extra electrical capacity for an industrial expansion. Evaluating large-scale infrastructure plans with connections to the national grid. Taking care of emergency supplies after a failure in the power supply. Royal Haskoning’s Electrical Power technicians and consultants know all about these things. The extremely experienced and highly-trained specialists in the generation, transport, distribution and use of electricity are active worldwide offering the most reliable, economical and sustainable solutions for the supply of electricity. The service concentrates on a breakdown service, capacity problems and consultancy.
‘If there is a power cut, whatever the reason, the client rather wants a solution the same day,’ says Alex Ruijs, Electrical Power senior consultant. ‘We are able to help companies quickly from A to Z. Our worldwide network of specialized suppliers, installers and hauliers is unique. In 2008, for example, we found a client a replacement transformer in the US. In collaboration with the client we painstakingly checked the specifications and tested the transformer in situ. Once we were happy that it was satisfactory we organized the transport and oversaw the installation with the client on site, including the necessary adjustments to get the transformer working. When disasters happen the client’s technical service is under enormous pressure so they are really relieved that we take everything out of their hands and see to it that production can start again quickly.’
Continuity and expansion
Electrical Power offers clients with highly critical processes in industry and also data centres and hospital (emergency) solutions for continuity. From private generation and emergency power units to uninterruptible power supply (UPS) systems. Electrical Power also advises and supports companies that want to expand, and for instance, come up against limitations from the national grid or their own electricity supply. These are often clients who produce or use electrical power of more than 10 Megawatts.
Advice for Maasvlakte 2
‘We advised Mainport Rotterdam in formulating the infrastructure plans for the electrical supply of Maasvlakte 2,’ continues Ruijs. ‘We are doing this for a new container terminal in Dubai. These are some of the questions. How do we manage the connection to the public grid and what capacity is needed? What are the options for high voltage and medium voltage? What is the best level of power in relation to the capacity required? How many step-down transformers are needed, which grid structure offers the most reliability and which diameter of cable and installation method is the most efficient?’
Performance and sustainability
In all the projects and advice, a balance is sought between sustainability, reliability and economic performance. ‘In the long run a more expensive transformer can turn out to be more sustainable in use and for the environment. We make a calculation for the client covering investment, additional costs, savings in electricity, life span and cost recovery times. We regularly get questions from local authorities with new housing plans about the influence of high tension lines on the health of the people who live and work in the direct vicinity of them.
New developments
Over the next few years the demand for the services of Electrical Power will increase. ‘In the last fifteen years many companies have cut back on the maintenance of and investment in their electrical supplies,’ declares Ruijs. ‘New developments are coming in the electricity grid and the production of electricity. For example, in the near future dozens of new power stations are going to be built in Europe. Our team of specialists will certainly be doing our bit!’
Contact: Alex Ruijs
+31 (0)10 2865 461
a.ruijs@royalhaskoning.com
