Dominion Energy Equipment Storage and Preservation Program

Dominion Energy’s P1 and P2 are 2 x 550 MW combined cycle projects which are currently delayed.

Like numerous other developing projects which are delayed or canceled, the advanced procurement for P1 and P2 projects progressed to a point of an irrevocable commitment to purchase the power island equipment from General Electric.

Sterling Energy was engaged by Dominion Energy to develop and manage the receiving, storage and preservation program with Sterling Energy’s scope including:

• Evaluation and selection of potential warehouse sites in Pennsylvania
• Negotiation of contracts for crane, forklift and rigging for unloading of equipment at the warehouse, and the subsequent management of these contracts
• Receiving from truck and barge transport
• Disbursement and billing services for third party materials and services
• Implementation and maintenance of comprehensive inventory records
• Implementation of a comprehensive equipment preservation program
• Support for spare parts, if requested, for other projects

The delivery schedule called for two major delivery phases. Approximately 60% of the total project equipment was delivered in the first half of 2004. This included the 4 gas turbines, 4 gas turbine generators, and 1 of the 2 steam turbines and its associated generator. In addition, over 500 other component shipments were received. The second delivery period is January through March, 2005.

Approximately 125,000 square feet of warehouse space was leased along the Delaware River, 10 miles south of the Philadelphia International Airport. An additional 4 acres of outdoor lay-down yard space was leased.

The long-term storage and preservation of power plant equipment in the humid conditions of the Philadelphia area posed challenging problems. The technical guidelines published in General Electric’s GEK documents for receiving and storage of equipment are stringent. Humidity inside the gas turbines, as measured at the gas path discharge, is stipulated at < 30% relative humidity.    

A group of tarp-over-framework humidity control enclosures were built to create a conducive environment for long-term storage. Individual humidifiers provide dehumidified air into the enclosures, providing humidity control in the 15-20% range.

Preservation inspections and maintenance is routinely being performed on the equipment. Sterling Energy developed an Assert Preservation Program Manual customized for this project. It outlines the receiving and preservation inspection guidelines for the gas turbines, generators, electrical cabinets, transformers, piping and mechanical components, instrumentation, etc. A total of 40 separate guidelines were developed.

Maintenance records and equipment history is being maintained in an Access database management system by the on-site Preservation Technician.

Storage Location:

   Outside Philadelphia, PA

Project Description:

   2 X 500 gas turbine combined cycle project

Owner:

   Dominion Energy

Primary Equipment Supplier:

   General Electric Company