MCEER Electrical Utility Consortium
230
kV 3-phase disconnect switch being tested on the shake table at the University
at Buffalo.
The newly established MCEER Electrical Utility Consortium (EUC) was created
in response to the needs of electrical utilities and focuses specifically
on the seismic behavior of electrical substation equipment. The EUC was
established through collaboration with and matching funds from the
Electrical Power Research Institute (EPRI), which regroups electrical
utilities in North America (US, Canada and Mexico). The Consortium is
investigating unresolved issues related to the IEEE-693 Standard on Recommended Practice for Seismic Design of Substations.
Research work is being carried out at the University at Buffalo by MCEER
investigators Andrei Reinhorn, Andre Filiatrault and Ph.D. student Dohwan
Kong. The research focuses on shake table testing of large and potentially
vulnerable substation equipment such as transformer bushings and disconnect
switches. Testing of three electrical 230 kV disconnect switches has been
completed to date, and more tests are planned in the near future. Also,
shake table testing of a 500kV bushings is planned for Fall 2005.
A technical oversight committee, chaired by Dr. Anshel Schiff from
Precision Measurement Instruments, sets overall strategy, goals and schedule
for the EUC research program. The committee is composed of one
representative from each participating utility. Dr. Schiff is well
recognized for his expertise on the seismic qualification of electrical
substation equipment.
Members
Technical Oversight
Committee
Investigators
Resources
Articles on MCEER's Electric Power Research
