Case Studies
DIRECTORS REVIEW OF 2007
2007 once again proved to be an exceptionally busy year, and as our name suggests saw our Engineers scattered around all 5 continents of the globe, resulting in both our Industrial and Marine sections being involved in some of the most prestigious National and International switchgear projects.
The year commenced with our Commissioning Enginneers jetting off to the oil fields of Azerbaijan working to extremely tight deadlines to complete commissioning the generation and electrical distribution on medium and low voltage switchgear, initially working in the Sangachal oil terminal, then on oil platforms for the BP BTC pipeline. The oil platforms being located in the Caspian Sea. The pipeline runs through Tiblisi in Georgia to Ceyhan on the Mediterranean in Turkey. Fully operational the pipeline allows for a flow of 1 million barrels per day to be pumped to its destination. The photograph below show the main 11kV switchroom on one of the platforms.
With the ongoing commitment to alternative energy generation we have found ourselves heavily involved in various windfarm projects up and down the U.K. where we were asked to offer assistance to the manufacturers with the commissioning of G59 protection relays. This, coupled with the ongoing upgrade of substations by the various Utility companies has seen us busy installing and commissioning new switchgear. We already have forward orders for early to mid 2008 for this type of works. Having been involved in the rectification works in Carlisle following the January 2005 flooding we have no doubt that we shall be called upon in the future following the dreadful floods of July 2007. The photograph below shows completed works for a United Uitilities substation located in Lancashire where we installed and commissioned VMX switchgear
Our expertise is such that a leading switchgear manufacturer requested assistance with the "in house" testing of both 11 and 33kV switchgear. This kept the Industrial section of the company busy for some 3 months and works were completed to our customers complete satisfaction and order deadlines.
Again on the industrial side we attended Aberthaw power station having been asked to commission 415 volt switchgear for flue gas desulphurisation equipment. This equipment being mandatory now for all british coal fired power stations. This work will be completed in the early part of 2008. As a result we have already been approached for further works at other power stations.
Our Marine section started the year off with the usual associated refit works for the numerous ferry companies, with the works being completed from our Falmouth office being particularly busy, having previously won preferred supplier status for all switchgear works for the ship repairers the A&P Group of companies.
Our marine Engineers were also called upon to travel to Mexico and the United States at a moments notice for emergency works on vessels damaged by equipment failure. As you can imagine our staff keep their passports close to hand at all times!
The Royal Fleet Auxilliary continue to use Global Switchgear for all their maintenance, repairs and upgrades to their electrical switchgear. Our works this year included us modifying the switchboard on one of their vessels in order to provide supplies for a new weapons system.
Between March and October another RFA ship underwent a major upgrade, including an upgrade of the onboard electrical system. These works included replacing all the main 440 volt breakers and switchfuse units and upgrading the shore supplies which saw us manufacturing a new shore supply cubicle, which we manufactured in our Rochdale workshop. We also fitted a new submarine overboard supply switchboard in preparation for the new "Astute" class of submarines. (See Photograph above) Of course all these type of works were carried out with Lloyds involvement and their full appoval. We continue, and are extremely proud, of our commercial association with the Royal Fleet Auxiliary.
Of course this is a merely a synopsis of the works we have been involved in during 2007. If you are interested in finding out more about Global Switchgear Services or wish to discuss in more detail how we can help with any of your Switchgear needs you can call
Marine Section:~
Bob Neumann or Steve Lomas
Industrial Section:~
Dave Risby or Dave Thorpe
on 01706 668662 or email us by following the link below.
global@freeuk.com
