In 2017, Strukton Systems was awarded the contract by TenneT to renovate ten 110kV and 150Kv substations in the Stedin and Enexis area.
Strukton is renovating the protection and control installation – also called secondary – which often dates from the 1960s or 70s. The conversion is taking place in phases, because the energy supply must continue of course. Where possible, the new installations are therefore being assembled and integrally tested beforehand so that the work on site is limited. This also means that the time that the station is not available – the VNB period – is significantly shorter. The last substation is expected to go into operation in 2021.
Methods for success
To manage these conversion projects in a professional way, TenneT as client and Strukton as contractor use modern methods such as System Engineering, System-oriented Contract Management and Integrated Project Management. These are a direct result of the chosen contract form UAV-gc. TenneT chose this contract form because it can thus enable the successful outsourcing of complex multidisciplinary work with a relatively high risk profile. Furthermore, TenneT wants to work with relatively few of its own personnel for supervision. This contract form is ideal for this, because the client supervises from a distance.
System Engineering
System Engineering (SE) is an interdisciplinary approach aimed at designing and implementing successful systems. Through this approach, Strukton can focus on defining client needs and the desired functionality early on in the process. Together with the client, we establish the requirements, the cohesion and the verification and validation based on these requirements. This might include results to be achieved, costs, planning, implementation, operation and control, testing, training and support. We define client requirements as explicitly as possible and during the design and implementation process, we verify and validate whether the chosen solution meets the demands.
Placing of the Central Services Unit
System-oriented Contract management
TenneT monitors the project remotely via System-oriented Contract management (SCB). Based on the main project risks, TenneT checks the extent to which Strukton keeps to its own quality procedures. TenneT performs these controls based on a system test, a process test and a product test.
Integrated Project Management
Strukton uses Integrated Project Management (IPM) to ensure that the internal and external cooperation runs as smoothly as possible. This is done based on an integrated project team, involving five project roles: project management, project control, environment management, technical management and contract management. The aim of these project roles is to proactively manage the specific risks for each of these areas.
Precise planning
At the end of October, the first VNB (planned outage) is scheduled. The first field in the substation will then be disconnected by TenneT. This demands very precise planning, so that the actual switch from old to new takes place in the shortest possible time, but within one week per field. This is a tense job and the culmination of the work of the entire project team of both Strukton and TenneT.
Learning effects
Strukton renovates 2 x 5 stations consecutively. This enables us to take advantage of learning effects: the knowledge we acquire during a baseline inspection, design phase or actual conversion is used in subsequent projects. This results in higher efficiency and better cooperation. It also improves the professional skills of the Strukton employees.
Security and control boxes