S&C Electric Company Boosts Production at California Wind Farm

S&C Electric Company, a global leader in renewable energy integration, announces that it will provide a complete procure-construct solution for Coram Ridge Wind Farm in Mojave, California. S&C will procure and construct the electrical equipment necessary to connect 34 Vestas 3.0-MW turbines to the grid. The plant's capacity, at completion, will be 102 MW. The plant is owned by Coram California Development, L.P. Increasing renewable energy production at existing plants is a major priority in California considering the renewable energy goals set forth in the new California Renewables Portfolio Standard (RPS). The new goals, as of April 12, will require 33 percent of total energy supplies to come from certified renewable sources by 2020 – one of the most aggressive renewable energy goals in the United States. However, upgrading infrastructure economically while minimizing plant downtime is both critical and extremely challenging. "Given the difficulties inherent in updating an existing plant, we wanted an EPC electrical system provider with a proven track record of swiftly completing complex projects," says Rick Ortiz Construction Executive for . "S&C offers extensive experience in developing customized approaches for renewable energy integration." S&C has provided EPC services for renewable energy projects around the world, integrating gigawatts of energy to the grid. For this particular project, S&C will integrate a 69-kV underground transmission line, which is very unusual for renewable energy projects and as such, requires a high level of technical expertise and customization. S&C will also develop two 66-kV substations and overhead and underground collector systems. "We are drawing on our extensive renewable energy and electric utility experience to customize a solution to increase the wind farm's capacity," says Dan Girard, director of renewable energy, S&C. "This is just another example of how working closely with our customers, we can develop effective approaches to meet even the most difficult renewable energy integration challenges." About S&C Electric Company S&C, with global headquarters in Chicago, USA, is applying its heritage of innovation to address challenges facing the world's power grids and is thus shaping the future of reliable electricity delivery. The mission of employee-owned S&C is to continually develop new solutions for electricity delivery, fostering the improved efficiency and reliability required for the intelligent grid. Additional information about S&C is available at www.sandc.com.

Melvin Wylie