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The Customer Challenge

University of Iowa Power PlantThe University of Iowa operates a central power plant on its main campus in Iowa City, Iowa. Electricity generated from this plant supplies 33% of the electric demand on campus, including the University of Iowa Hospitals & Clinics.


As the Iowa River began to swell in June of 2008, due to seemingly endless spring rains, many anticipated that the University of Iowa Power Plant, which is located on the river, would not be impacted by the high waters. No one was prepared, however, for the 31.5 foot crest, nearly 2 feet higher than expected.

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Despite sandbagging efforts, the flood waters quickly infiltrated the plant's steam tunnel system, and the facility was forced to shut down. By the time the river crested, two basement levels were completely flooded.


"When we got in there and started opening up breakers and control panels you could just see all the corrosion on the circuit boards," said Steve Kottenstette, E&I Supervisor with the University of Iowa Power Plant. "With corrosion on electrical parts, systems are subject to all sorts of control issues so we knew everything needed to be replaced."


The Tri-City Electric Co. Solution

As an electrical contractor experienced with disaster recovery, and with proficiency in power testing, design, engineering and integration, Tri-City Electric Co. was able to work with the University of Iowa facilities management team and a local civil engineering firm to help restore and replace the damaged electrical systems.


University of Iowa Power Plant floodAs soon as the plant was professionally cleaned and cleared of any health hazards, a team of Tri-City Electric Co. engineers and switchgear specialists deployed to the site to begin reconstruction. Although some permanent power supplies were operational at the time, the team also utilized temporary power sources at various locations in the plant.


"When we were called into the plant, the University had just started to evaluate all electrical and mechanical devices," said Fran Junion, General Manager of Tri-City Electric Co.'s Power Testing Division. "The electrical equipment needed to be repaired or completely replaced."


The first step was to mobilize the electricians. Tri-City Electric Co. quickly responded with more than 30 craftsmen who were onsite within days after the call was received from the customer.


As clean-up efforts progressed and more muck and debris was removed, it became clear that many items scheduled for repairs needed to be replaced. Although no major 600 volt panels were damaged, all of the instrumentation panels, PLCs and control power panels were flooded.


The Results

After nearly 16,000 hours of work, the University of Iowa Power Plant resumed standard operations in November of 2008. Tri-City Electric Co. was able to use its expertise to help the University of Iowa determine the most effective and efficient solutions to help minimize the rebuilding effort.


Projects included the plant's evacuation system, boilers, compressors, and MCC's, as well as a specific overly complex panel in the coal loading facility. Tri-City Electric Co. completely rebuilt the panel, updating the controls to a modern PLC arrangement.


"There used to be so many relays and wiring in the panel, but now when you open it up people just say that it looks so beautiful," said Kottenstette. "With Tri-City Electric Co., I had complete assurance that the job would be done, and that took a big burden off my shoulders."


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