UMass Main Campus Transmission Substation
CHA was competitively selected by the University of Massachusetts to design a new transmission level substation. Based on previous study work completed by CHA, we determined that the best solution to improve power reliability and resiliency for the campus was to disconnect from the local utility 13.8 kV distribution system and connect directly to the nearby 115 kV transmission system. The $30 million project included design and construction of a 100 MW twin transformer 115 kV-13.8 kV substation with two independent power distribution centers feeding the campus through a 7-mile combination of new and existing parallel concrete encased duct banks.
The project was contracted on a “fast track” that allowed only 18 months to design, procure and install, and get online by January 2016. Working closely with the client, the project was broken into three phases: procurement of long lead equipment, design and construction of the lengthy duct bank, and design and construction of the substation. The project was completed and energized on December 24, 2015. As an added benefit, the campus expects to save over $1 million per year in electrical distribution service cost savings.
Project Services:
- Project Management
- Subconsultant Coordination
- Civil Engineering
- Electrical Engineering
- Structural Engineering
- Geotechnical Engineering
- Construction Administration
- Substation Design
- Design of Parallel Concrete Encased Duct Bank
- Factory Acceptance Testing
- Testing and Commissioning Plan and Support
- Procurement Specifications for Transformers, Power Distribution Centers, Dynamic Capacitor Banks and SF6 Switches