SEL powerMAX at Washington State University

On its 640-acre campus, Washington State University (WSU) operates multiple electric power substations and a steam plant responsible for heating the university’s classrooms and residences. These facilities are supported by two gas-fired engine generators, a diesel generator, and a programmable logic controller (PLC) originally installed in 2000. After more than twenty years in service, the PLC was difficult to maintain: the manufacturer no longer offered technical support, documentation was limited, and spare parts were few and far between.

Solutions

SEL evaluated the existing systems and recommended a powerMAX Power Management and Control System—a combination of hardware and software designed to improve system reliability. powerMAX’s microgrid control library tracks the local electrical power system topology and responds to power loss by quickly shedding noncritical loads, restoring power with local generation sources, and then resynchronizing with the utility when possible.

Results

WSU partnered with SEL to update their system to the powerMAX solution, which involved installing new panels, wiring new relays and other SEL equipment into existing panels, and drafting new documentation for the system.

With powerMAX installed and fully operational, WSU has gained increased resiliency, as-built documentation, and 24/7 emergency technical support for the lifetime of their products.

Customer Profile

Customer: Washington State University

Location: Pullman, WA

Industry: Education

Application: Microgrid Controller