ATHENS, Ohio -- Ohio University has grown to the point where the existing Electrical Power Distribution System will no longer be capable of reliably supplying all the new projected loads. The university has essentially outgrown the existing system's ability to reliably support the projected load increases.
A total of four power outages that will affect the entire Athens campus must be scheduled to accommodate the installation of a new transformer and other required work that will enable the university to avoid future problems with energy delivery.
There will be a general information meeting Tuesday, July 23, at 10 a.m. in Grover Center room E205 that will allow the university community to meet the project manager and ask specific questions about the project.
Engineering Services in conjunction with AEP has evaluated the existing campus power distribution system. The loss of any one of our three existing transformers OU1, OU2 and The Ridges, (rated at 10 MVA each for a total of 30 MVA) would result in a significant overload on the remaining units and would lead to failure. These loads will tax the system to the point of or above the thermal limits of these units, especially under various contingency and/or maintenance and switching conditions.
Currently, we are under construction to replace the existing three units (30 MVA) with two larger units capable of delivering 66 MVA to the campus. The two units are expected to arrive on campus on July 29. Each of these units is capable of carrying the entire campus load independently.
Immediately following their arrival, one of the two units will be installed in the location of the OU2 transformer -- the unit that feeds all buildings south of the old railroad track. All loads currently fed from OU2 will be temporarily transferred to The Ridges transformer that will enable us to temporarily install the new unit. This will require a two hour power outage for the entire campus (outage number one). The outage is necessary to provide a safe working environment for our electricians to relocate the cables from OU2 to The Ridges transformer.
The new unit requires four (4) working days to install. During this critical period, Engineering Services urges the entire university community to use the minimum power essential to complete their daily tasks since the entire campus will be supplied by the two remaining transformers (OU1 and The Ridges). During this period the new (temporarily installed unit) will be prepared to receive cables that will supply the power to the entire campus. Immediately after this preparation period, a second power outage will be required. This outage will require two hours for the entire campus (outage number two).
After installation, the newly temporarily installed unit will supply the entire campus. Both OU1 and The Ridges transformers will be removed from service. The second 33 MVA transformer will be permanently installed and the campus load will be transferred to this unit. To complete this task a two hour power outage will be required (outage number three).
Finally, we will prepare the first (33 MVA) unit for permanent installation, once this task is complete, we will attempt to balance the load between the two units. This will require selected power outages to specific buildings (outage number four).
Facilities and Auxiliaries will keep you apprised of anticipated power outages. These outages will be scheduled during nights, weekends, etc., to cause the least inconvenience to the campus community. We regret any inconveniences that these outages may cause you. Thank you in advance for your patience throughout this critical project. If you need further clarifications before the July 23 meeting, please contact the Customer Service Desk at 593-2911.
