Location: Holbrook, AZ

The Challenge

The client’s industrial facility was in a remote location, and it was desired to operate the facility with renewable energy. Onsite power generation was required to generate upwards of 500 kW of demand during peak startup. Prior to the renewable power system coming online, CANUSA EPC also provided a temporary power system. The final microgrid solution needed to accommodate tie in planning for the existing generators as backup units.

The Solution

CANUSA EPC worked with the Client to develop a plan to start the facility on natural gas generated power and then cut over to a solar power generation system coupled with a battery energy storage system. The end state of the facility would be a microgrid system consisting of a 3500-panel solar farm capable of producing 1.6MW of power, a 4MWh energy storage system, and a 1MW of backup generator to provide clean energy to the industrial plant.

To reduce construction costs, the project was executed with various direct technology providers to secure the lowest cost for the microgrid system. Sourcing included generators, power distribution buildings, solar arrays, energy storage, and a microgrid controller. The client entrusted CANUSA EPC to coordinate and manage all involved parties to produce a cohesive microgrid system. Our team reviewed all procured equipment and provided a complete electrical package for microgrid construction.

• Trenching details
• Major equipment specification
• Procurement support
• One-line development
• Network architecture
• Cable sizing
• PDC review
• Electrical plot plans

The Results

CANUSA EPC managed multiple vendors to implement a microgrid system for the remote helium processing plant.

• Energy storage system will power the facility for 13.5 hours with no additional power generation, allowing the facility to operate mostly on solar power.
• Embedded microgrid controller in the PDC building will switch to natural gas-powered generators in scenarios where the solar farm and energy storage unit are in a deficit.

The Challenge

The client wanted a processing facility to be built where a raw gas inlet from four wells would be separated into a helium product with a 99.9+% purity, with future expansion in mind. A few of the challenges the client faced included the implementation of multiple wells into the facility, a desire for a portable system, and the need to generate power onsite with no fuel sources readily available.

The Solution

CANUSA EPC first engaged by performing an initial FEED study to identify what the scope of the project would need to be, and what would be required to make the client’s requests possible. After the FEED study, we provided full-service EPCM support.

• Project management
• Procurement & expediting of equipment
• Facility process design & engineering
• PHA & safety analysis
• Facility 3D Modeling, piping & instrument design
• Power generation & distribution
• Grading plan & pile layout
• Structural design & engineering
• Major equipment factory acceptance testing
• Controls programming support
• Construction support

The Results

Capacity & Purity

• Facility provides 5 MMSCFD inlet capacity and sales product purity of up to 99.996% helium, or grade H4.6 helium utilizing a PSA system.

Portable Capability

•  Fully-skidded, mobile equipment in sea-can structure allows the Client to reuse and relocate the facility wherever it is needed.

Power Generation

• Onsite power was generated with a compressed natural gas service while a renewable energy system was constructed.