Kore Consulting Group (KCG) mobilized a project team to IGY’s Yacht Haven Grande marina to examine its energy infrastructure, services, and distribution networks. The objectives of the site visit included:

• Review of the meeting facilities that VIWAPA uses to bill IGY.
• Review and reconciliation of historical metering determinants within the past year for VIWAPA services
• Review of VIWAPA tariff structure applicable to IGY
• Review of the existing metering infrastructure and processes that IGY uses to bill its customers for utility services
• Review of electrical and water distribution systems
• Review of key electric loads and operating practices that may be candidates for conservation measures including lighting systems, HVAC systems, pumping stations, and related control systems
• Evaluation of opportunities for cost effective solar thermal, solar photovoltaic, wind generation, and geothermal applications

KCG is currently providing engineering, design and construction administration services for Owl’s Head Development. In our role as Renewable/Alternative Energy consultant for this client we are evaluating the feasibility of wind power, solar, geothermal and district energy systems for this client. KCG’s initial task is to spearhead a comprehensive study, with goals, including but not limited to; definition of building construction concepts, estimation of electrical loads, selection of major common infrastructure elements, and definition of design elements needed within residential and commercial buildings. The study will evaluate the best available materials and practices that will lead to the construction of a model community where energy requirements will be minimized, and the best economic dispatch of supply and demand side resources accomplished.

KORE Consulting Group was awarded the engineering and design to provide standby generation for (12) stores in Florida, South Alabama and South Mississippi as part of the Phase 1 implementation. KCG teamed with Chain Electric from Valdosta Georgia for all the Florida Stores. The scope of the project was to provide diesel generators with sub-base fuel tanks that would supply 100% of the stores power needs in the event of a utility outage, preventing huge loss of product and at the same time potentially allowing the stores to serve the community needs during the utility outage. Also included in the project scope was the design for the generator service connections via an automatic transfer switch.  KCG worked closely with the local inspectors and regulatory agencies as even though the NEC requirements were constant, the local facility service entrance requirements varied from site to site. 

Innovation: In order to meet the client objectives of critical system reliability, minimal downtime during construction, aggressive installation completion date, all while adhering to a tight budget,  KCG took an innovative design approach and successfully executed the project. One aspect that was unique, involved integrating the existing life safety generators with the new back-up generator. In some instances integrating the  life safety generators into the mix, resulted in being able to downsize the backup generator. Most life safety generators were between 35kW and 60kW in size. The back-up generators ranged from 500kW to 750kW. Other innovative considerations included incorporating controls on the stores refrigeration equipment that mitigated an issue with black starting the new generators. This concept allowed the generator to be right sized for the operating loads typical of the tore in lieu of upsizing the generator to accommodate a very large refrigeration starting load. KCG’s design and coordination with the contractors and utility companies allowed for reuse of existing service entrance conduits and other gear, minimizing down time and construction cost.

The project tasks included a close analysis for each of the stores electrical load consumption and understanding of the types of loads and anticipated growth necessary to correctly size and specify the generators. This task required attention to detail and a thorough understanding of the stores existing equipment operation and controls. KCG spearheaded the design build approach and worked closely with the utility companies, contractors and permitting agencies in all 20 locations. Every site had an differing conditions and challenges in regard to location of the generators and automatic transfer switches. Fire Marshalls, permitting agencies, owners, planning departments, facility operational considerations, site elevation, probable storm surge and flooding all factored into the decision on locations for the equipment. KCG navigated these potential obstacles while maintaining production schedule.

Team Work: Most foundations were standard concrete pad designs, but several required elevation due to surge or storm flooding that involved structural steel supports and helical piles. Anderson Engineers provided all site civil / structural engineering and design for each of these projects. KCG has teamed with this firm on other projects as well and we have an excellent working relationship with them.