Background
Platte River Power Authority, a not-for-profit, community-owned public power utility, delivers safe, reliable, environmentally responsible, and financially sustainable energy and services to Estes Park, Fort Collins, Longmont, and Loveland, Colorado. Its diverse generation portfolio incorporates coal, wind, hydro, solar, and gas resources, catering to the energy needs of over 352,270 residents in its owner communities.
Driven by a vision to establish itself as a respected industry leader and responsible power provider, Platte River Power Authority took a significant step in 2018 and committed to pursuing a 100% noncarbon energy mix by 2030. This ambitious goal involved the early retirement of all coal resources and began preparing all other generation facilities for the implementation of the clean energy initiative.
Challenge
While planning to execute the clean energy initiative, Platte River Power Authority recognized the need to upgrade the outdated fire protection systems in their five backup gas turbines. The existing CO2 extinguishing system, known for its harmful effects on human life, required replacement with a safer suppression solution. Furthermore, the facilities needed a modernized primary control panel for their fire systems.
With the objectives of implementing an extended discharge suppression system that ensures human safety and a fully functioning control panel, Platte River Power Authority strategically chose to partner with Tech Electronics to address these critical upgrades.
Solution
Tech Electronics embarked on an exhaustive testing process, focusing on the largest of the five gas turbines to identify the most suitable solution. After achieving safety levels exceeding initial requirements, Tech Electronics- in collaboration with ETG and XDS Fire- introduced 3M Novec 1230, a clean agent fire suppression liquid, as a superior alternative to the previous CO2 extinguishing system. Novec 1230 is the clean agent solution with the highest safety margin for human occupancy. Additionally, it offers an extended discharge period, preventing fire reignition for at least 30 minutes, allowing the generator to wind down, and enabling the on-site fire response team to intervene.
To address the second facet of this project, Tech Electronics chose to replace the outdated fire control panels with new fire alarm head-ends integrated through a Notifier network that connects to the central control hub. The system, collaboratively designed by Project Manager Casey Bennett (now Director of Fire Technologies), the Tech Electronics Engineering team, and Platte River Power Authority, incorporates user-defined voice messages, enhancing the overall protection and efficiency provided by the system.
Complementing the Novec 1230 clean agent, the custom design of the new fire protection system not only fulfills the desired objectives of life safety and functionality but also amplifies reliability and peace of mind.
”We were able to record custom voice messages, so when the system discharges, not only does it produce a regular temporal three notification, but it also produces messaging that gives an audible countdown and alerts of the location of the alarm condition.
Casey BennettDirector of Fire Technologies, Tech Electronics
Outcome
Following the successful testing and approval of the new solutions on the initial turbine in 2018, the project progressed to the remaining four units, with the final unit completed in 2023. Preston Johnson, the Mechanical Engineer from Platte River Power Authority overseeing the project, emphasizes their satisfaction.
”Outside of our defined outcomes, the most impactful benefit of the new fire protection system is the confidence that our units will be available when needed, which is massive in our industry. The level of trust between Casey Bennett, Anthony Gine (Lead Technician), and I, along with the efficient scheduling of this project, has met and exceeded my expectations.
Preston JohnsonMechanical Engineer, Platte River Power Authority
Tech Electronics looks forward to continuing this successful partnership and servicing the solutions that empower Platte River Power Authority to provide its communities with clean energy.
Our industry-leading business systems can benefit you!
Let our professionals show you how
