The University of Oregon’s annual electrical testing will be held Aug. 12-13, helping to ensure that the UO can operate on its own power in an emergency.
Each summer, the Utilities and Energy department runs tests during which the unit repeatedly switches the Eugene campus between EWEB power and the UO’s power-generating equipment. Operating smoothly in “island mode” is critical for world-class teaching and research facilities that must generate power to sensitive equipment despite unplanned and unexpected interruptions in regular service due to storms or a catastrophic event.
The tests typically are scheduled for eight hours on a single day, but this year will be conducted over two days, said Rick Tabor, associate director of Utilities and Energy.
The additional day will enable the utilities department to test new equipment: a fourth diesel generator that is being installed and updated critical switch gear on the existing three generators.
“We are installing a fourth diesel generator to increase our emergency generation capacity and keep pace with Eugene campus growth,” said Steve Mital, utilities director. “The new switch gear on existing backup generators should fix problems identified during past island mode testing.”
Future testing should go smoother once new switching and programming updates are complete, Mital said, but the new equipment requires commissioning and testing procedures that necessitate the second day of testing.
Impacts to the campus are expected to be limited, but brief power outages may occur. The Work Control Center within Campus Planning and Facilities Management provides support and assistance during the tests, including to those who experience significant problems. Key campus stakeholders have been alerted, and the utilities department is working with them to mitigate impacts for all campus users, Mital said.
Information on the specific testing schedule will be available soon. Details and instructions will be published on the CPFM website as they become available.
Utilities and Energy provides heating, cooling and power to the Eugene campus, relying primarily on EWEB and NW Natural for electricity and gas.
During island mode, the UO disables the connection to EWEB while simultaneously switching to generators at the Central Power Station off Franklin Boulevard. The power station, which is capable of producing enough electricity for 10,000 homes, is primarily a backup to EWEB power.
“The equipment needs to be tested regularly and staff need training, so that if and when backup power is required, we can smoothly transition off and then back onto the EWEB grid,” Mital said. “We know this is disruptive. We appreciate the support we get from faculty and staff across the Eugene campus as we work methodically to identify and fix problems with highly specialized equipment.”
—Matt Cooper, University Communications