A 345-kilovolt (kV) bushing on Laramie River Station’s Unit 1 generator step-up (GSU) transformer has been replaced after a fault occurred on July 30.
According to Basin Electric Substation Superintendent Nathan Helbling, a late night call-out and visual inspection showed oil leaking from the GSU at the base of one of the high side 345kV bushings, and when the transformer's insulating oil was drained, large shards of porcelain glass showed that a bushing had exploded inside the transformer. The insulating oil was processed, the glass was cleaned up, and the bushing, along with six additional bushings, were replaced with spares Laramie River Station and the transmission system maintenance department had in its warehouses.
“Significant testing was conducted on the GSU before Unit 1 was put back in service,” said Helbling. “We had the plant operators run the generator at a lower power output then ramp up the unit slowly to ensure there wouldn’t be a catastrophic failure that would affect reliability. This was successful and the Laramie River Station Unit 1 generator was back at full load on Aug. 24.”
Basin Electric wants all interested and qualified candidates to apply for employment opportunities. If you are an applicant with a disability who is unable to use our online tools to search and apply for jobs, or who needs other assistance or accommodations, please contact us at 701-223-0441. Please indicate the specifics of the assistance needed or provide your contact information, and a Basin Electric Human Resources representative will contact you. Basin Electric is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer regarding race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, and veterans status.