Earls Court Update
Work is well under way on the renewal and upgrade contract for EDF Energy Powerlink with the replacement of the DC switchboard at Earls Court substation. The new DC switchboard is one of the largest boards on the Underground network with 26 circuits of positive and negative DC breakers, which are being installed both on the gallery level and basement level of the old substation.
“The existing board is being replaced in sections to allow for the mammoth task of keeping four underground lines running throughout the changeover process, “ says project engineer Stewart Marshall. “This will involve detailed planning with EDF Energy Powerlink, London Underground and the local authority for each possession to ensure that the tracks are operational the following morning to feed the railway.”
Project manager, Mike Nutbrown explains: “It’s also important that our designs are compatible with the forthcoming LU Sub Surface Lines Upgrade planned at the site for the remaining substation equipment, as the delicate changeover sequences must be maintained to allow for a smooth transition when replacing the plant.”
The first section of new switchboard has just passed the factory acceptance test and is due for dispatch to site on 14th September where it will be installed on the gallery level at the substation. Prior to this installation, the existing auxiliary transformers had to be relocated downstairs and major floor strengthening works are being carried out to allow for the new weight and dynamic loading of the breaker suite.
Detailed cable designs to allow for jointing to the existing track feeder cables in the cable void beneath the basement floor have been carried out.
The project is on target for completion in April 2010 and is a significant achievement for the Power Systems teams from both Greenwich and Huntly Road.
Posted: Tuesday 22 September 2009