Remote Hydroelectric Facility Case Study
Equipment Protection For Hydroelectric Facility In Remote Location
The West Fork Upper Battle Creek Diversion project, a $46 million expansion of Alaska's largest hydroelectric facility at Bradley Lake Dam, is located about 30 miles northeast of Homer at the head of Kachemak Bay. The facility provides power to six electric utilities within the Railbelt electrical grid. This project aims to boost Bradley Lake Dam's power production capacity by approximately 10%, adding around 5,000 homes to the Railbelt's grid.
FIBERGLASS SHELTERS FOR REMOTE LOCATIONS
Shelter Works partnered with GMC Contracting of Anchorage, AK, to provide ten fiberglass shelters for this critical hydroelectric project. These shelters, placed along a 1.7-mile pipeline, divert glacial runoff to the dam houses and protect the pipeline's intake air valve access port assemblies. The intake air valves are essential for regulating air pressure within the pipeline, preventing damage and maintaining optimal flow. Without access to these assemblies, maintaining the pipeline's functionality would be difficult considering the remote location. Shelter Works' fiberglass enclosures ensure these critical components remain safe from the elements.
PROTECTION FROM THE ELEMENTS
Each 6' x 9' x 8' fiberglass shelter is equipped with a 3.5" foam core insulation, providing an R-Value of R-24. This insulation is critical in Alaska's harsh winters, where average low temperatures hover around 21°F but can drop to as low as 3°F. It helps maintain a stable internal temperature, preventing the pipeline from freezing and maintaining smooth operation.
Remote locations like the Bradley Lake Dam present unique challenges for protecting critical infrastructure. Extreme weather conditions, such as Alaska's freezing winter temperatures and snow loads, can threaten the integrity and function of essential equipment. Shelter Works designs fiberglass enclosure to withstand wind, rain, and snow, ensuring the air intake valves remain protected year-round.
WHY SHELTER WORKS
This was GMC Contracting’s first experience using prefabricated fiberglass shelters. Although the 3,940-mile distance between Shelter Works' production facility in St. Louis, MO, and the installation site in Kachemak Bay initially seemed daunting, the entire process ran smoothly. Cherie Ball, Contract Administrator for GMC Contracting, praised the quality of the product and the Shelter Works team, stating, "The staff was professional, friendly, and helpful from the estimate process to coordination with the shipping company."
Ball added that GMC Contracting would gladly work with Shelter Works again, already recommending their fiberglass shelters to other contractors in Alaska who need durable and reliable protection for their projects.
Shelter Works fiberglass shelters offer a practical solution for protecting critical infrastructure in remote and harsh environments like those that surround Bradley Lake Dam. With their long lifespan, customizable insulation, and minimal maintenance, these shelters ensure equipment reliability and peace of mind.