an additional pressure relief valve and replaced the factory-installed 15lb valves with 20lb models, and they also began using boiler water treatment instead of the glycol treatment normally added to jacket water. Tis substitution ensures that oxygen scavenging, pH control, particle control and calcium control are maintained at the proper levels. “Our co-generation plant operates at a higher
elevation than any other facility in this region and perhaps the entire United States, and we face issues that most other plants never have to address,” said Jerry Giles, director of village operations. “We take a tremendous amount of pride in knowing that we are more reliable than the local utility.” Te Cat G399 generator sets meet Snowbird’s energy needs on two fronts. Tey supply needed power for the East Village Complex, which includes the Cliff Lodge & Spa, employee housing, fire station, parking structure, and Wasatch drain tunnel. Tey also provide heat and hot water for the lodge’s guest and conference rooms, restaurants, two heated swimming pools, four hot tubs, and piping that keeps sidewalks clear of snow that averages 1400cm of accumulation each year. During the summer when power needs in the East
Village are lower, the co-generation plant uses the excess capacity to supply electricity for the West Village complex, comprised of retail shops, restaurants, and about 500 guest rooms. Giles estimates the co-generation plant supplies about half of the entire resort’s electrical needs during the busy winter and spring months, and 95 per cent of the power required during the summer and early fall.
In November 2010, these three G399 gas generator sets passed 200 000 hours of service, far exceeding their expected operational life of 120 000 hours. Te Cat G399 generator sets operate 24 hours a day, seven days a week throughout the year. Tis track record is even more impressive when one takes into account that these engines have operated at an elevation of 2500 metres above sea level since 1986. “We have a lot of moving pieces here at Snowbird,
and it’s a very big operation. We need that co-generation plant to run when we need it to run,” said Bob Bonar, president of Snowbird Ski and Summer Resort. “Our co-generation plant is very well known in the ski industry for how well it has performed over the years.” Given the resort’s remote location, the power supply to Snowbird can be interrupted by avalanches, inclement weather and other factors. While nearby ski resorts would be forced to close, Snowbird generates enough power and heat for key systems needed to keep guests comfortable and safe. “Most backup systems can only power emergency lighting and a single elevator,” said Bill McEwen, Snowbird’s co-generation supervisor. “We can keep the lights on and supply our guests with all the amenities they expect.” ●
Enter 49 or ✔ at
www.engineerlive.com/ipe
Amelia Poparad is an Electric Power Marketing Consultant with Caterpillar, Mossville, Illinois, USA.
www.catelectricpowerinfo.com/pr
www.engineerlive.com 49
Fig. 2. The three generator sets powered by Cat G399 engines at Snowbird have each passed 200 000 hours of service.
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