Gateway Substation

A-H-T Steel Frame Types
NESC + ASCE Design Standards
Structural Engineering Scope

Project Overview

Columbia Engineering Group provided structural engineering and steel design for Gateway Substation in Richland, Washington. The project supported a new electrical substation serving the City of Richland.

CEG’s scope included structural design and fabrication support for modular tapered steel structures used to carry electrical equipment and transmission components. These structures included A-frames, H-frames, and T-frames designed to support long-term utility infrastructure performance.

Structural Design Approach

This project required more than standard steel detailing. Because substation infrastructure must perform under demanding operating conditions, the design had to account for wind, seismic, and equipment loads while also supporting efficient fabrication and field installation.

As a result, CEG combined structural analysis with practical detailing and fabrication-focused support. That approach helped align constructability, durability, and long-term performance across the steel support structures.

Engineering Scope of Work

CEG delivered structural engineering and steel design for the new substation support structures. Overall, the scope focused on code-aligned analysis, fabrication support, and field-ready detailing for utility infrastructure.

🏗️ Steel Structure Design

CEG provided structural design for modular tapered steel structures, including A-frames, H-frames, and T-frames used to support substation equipment and transmission components.

📐 Structural Analysis

The engineering scope included structural analysis and load calculations for wind, seismic, and equipment loads in accordance with applicable NESC and ASCE standards.

🔩 Connection and Base Plate Design

CEG provided connection detailing and base plate design to support efficient fabrication, galvanizing, and field installation for the steel structures.

🏭 Fabrication Support

The project included design and fabrication support so the structural package could move more efficiently from engineering through galvanizing and installation.

✅ Constructability and Durability

Work was coordinated to support constructability, durability, and long-term substation performance, helping the structural system meet both installation and utility service needs.

Project Outcome

Gateway Substation added new structural support infrastructure for an electrical substation serving the City of Richland. Through structural engineering, steel design, and fabrication support, CEG helped deliver utility-ready support structures designed for demanding service conditions.

Just as importantly, the work combined structural analysis with constructable detailing. As a result, the project supported efficient fabrication, galvanizing, and field installation while maintaining long-term durability and performance for the substation infrastructure.

What Made This Project Stand Out

⚙️
Specialized Utility Structure Design

The project included modular tapered steel A-frames, H-frames, and T-frames designed to support electrical equipment and transmission components.

✓
Standards-Based Load Analysis

CEG performed structural analysis for wind, seismic, and equipment loads in accordance with applicable NESC and ASCE standards.

🔩
Fabrication-Ready Detailing

Connection detailing and base plate design were developed to support efficient fabrication, galvanizing, and field installation.

🏗️
Long-Term Infrastructure Performance

The work was coordinated around constructability, durability, and long-term substation performance for utility infrastructure serving the City of Richland.

Swire Coca-Cola Power System Study

52-Page Study Report
SKM Modeled System
3-Part Fault, Arc Flash, Coordination

Project Overview

Columbia Engineering Group provided electrical engineering for the Swire Coca-Cola Spokane Distribution Center Expansion Electrical Power System Study in Spokane, Washington.

While another firm designed the power distribution system, CEG completed the power system study. Specifically, the scope covered fault current, arc flash incident energy, and protective device coordination.

To support accurate analysis, CEG modeled the system in SKM. In addition, the team coordinated closely with the Contractor, utility company, and equipment vendor. The model included the exact breakers, fuses, switchboard, panelboards, ATS, generator, transformers, motor contributions, conductors, and raceway.

Study Scope

This project focused on system analysis rather than original design. As a result, the study reviewed system performance, protective device behavior, equipment ratings, and arc flash conditions under multiple scenarios.

⚡ Fault Current Analysis

CEG evaluated fault current levels against the AIC ratings of both proposed and existing equipment. Therefore, the team could identify where the system aligned with available fault current and where further review was needed.

🔥 Arc Flash Analysis

The study included arc flash incident energy analysis. In addition, CEG created arc flash labels for the system.

📈 Protective Device Coordination

CEG developed selectively coordinated time-current curves. The team also recommended settings for each protective device. At the same time, the study evaluated equipment damage curves.

🖥️ Detailed SKM Modeling

The SKM model captured the exact project equipment and system components. Because of that, the analysis reflected the actual proposed and existing configuration more accurately.

📊 Scenario Analysis & Reporting

CEG ran multiple study scenarios and documented the results in a 52-page report. In addition, the report identified several protective device changes and showed the analysis supporting those recommendations.

Project Challenge

Because another firm designed the distribution system, the study required a high level of technical coordination. As a result, CEG worked closely with the Contractor, utility company, and equipment vendor to confirm system components and operating conditions.

At the same time, the study had to address both proposed and existing equipment. Therefore, CEG reviewed equipment ratings, protective device settings, damage curves, and selective coordination together.

Project Outcome

The Swire Coca-Cola Spokane Distribution Center Expansion Electrical Power System Study gave the project team a detailed view of fault current levels, arc flash conditions, and protective device coordination.

By building an exact SKM model, CEG grounded the study in the actual project equipment and layout. In addition, close coordination with project stakeholders helped strengthen the accuracy of the analysis.

The final report did more than document system conditions. It also recommended protective device changes and provided the analysis behind those recommendations. As a result, the study gave the team clearer support for electrical decision-making on the expansion project.

What Made This Project Stand Out

🖥️
Exact SKM System Modeling

The study modeled the actual system components rather than relying on broad assumptions. As a result, the analysis reflected the project more accurately.

✓
Comprehensive Electrical Analysis

CEG combined fault current analysis, arc flash review, and protective device coordination in one study. Therefore, the project team received a more complete view of system performance.

📈
Actionable Recommendations

The final report identified protective device changes and backed them with supporting analysis. In turn, the study provided practical next steps rather than summary findings alone.

🤝
Multi-Party Technical Coordination

The work required close coordination with the Contractor, utility company, and equipment vendor. Because of that, the model better matched the proposed and existing system conditions.

Yakima Valley School Campus Generator Replacement

500kW Primary Generator
2 x 100kW Additional Generators
8 Automatic Transfer Switches

Project Overview

Columbia Engineering Group provided electrical and mechanical engineering for the Yakima Valley School Campus Generator Replacement project in Selah, Washington.

Yakima Valley School is a nursing facility that relied on four aging diesel generators for backup power. After one generator failed, CEG led an emergency replacement project. Then, the remaining three generators were upgraded as part of a planned improvement.

The project included new generators, automatic transfer switches, manual transfer switches, panelboards, and a switchboard. In addition, CEG reconfigured the essential electrical system into its required branches. The team also integrated HVAC loads into the generator system and brought the full setup into compliance with current code.

Facility and Power Needs

Because Yakima Valley School operates as a nursing facility, backup power reliability was critical. Therefore, the design had to support a more dependable generator system.

At the same time, the project had to address both electrical distribution and mechanical load coordination. As a result, CEG designed the upgraded system to support HVAC loads and required branch separation across the campus backup power system.

Engineering Scope of Work

CEG led the design and implementation of the campus generator upgrades through a design-bid-build delivery method. Overall, the scope combined electrical and mechanical coordination to improve reliability, code compliance, and system performance.

⚡ Generator and Transfer Equipment

The project included one 500kW generator, two 100kW generators, eight automatic transfer switches, three manual transfer switches, five panelboards, and one switchboard.

🔌 Essential Electrical System

CEG reconfigured the essential electrical system into its required branches. In doing so, the team brought the full setup into compliance with current code requirements.

🌬️ Mechanical Load Integration

The upgraded generator system was designed to carry HVAC loads. As a result, the backup power system could support broader facility needs.

📋 Code and Agency Coordination

CEG coordinated the work with L&I, the Department of Health, and Yakima Clean Air Agency. That coordination supported code compliance and project implementation.

🏗️ Delivery Method

The project used a design-bid-build delivery method. Throughout the process, CEG led the design and implementation of the planned generator system improvements.

Project Outcome

The Yakima Valley School Campus Generator Replacement project modernized backup power infrastructure for a nursing facility that had relied on aging diesel generators.

Through coordinated electrical and mechanical design, CEG upgraded major generator and transfer equipment. In addition, the team reconfigured the essential electrical system and aligned the campus setup with current code requirements.

Just as importantly, CEG integrated HVAC loads into the generator system and coordinated the work with key agencies. As a result, the project supported a more reliable and code-aligned backup power system for an active healthcare environment.

What Made This Project Stand Out

⚡
Campus-Wide Backup Power Upgrade

The project upgraded a generator system that had long supported the facility with four aging diesel generators. As a result, the campus backup power system moved toward a more modern setup.

✓
Required Branch Reconfiguration

CEG reconfigured the essential electrical system into its required branches. In turn, the project aligned the overall setup with current code requirements.

🌬️
HVAC Integration

The design integrated HVAC loads into the generator system. Therefore, the upgraded backup power system could support broader facility operations.

🤝
Agency Coordination

CEG coordinated the project with L&I, the Department of Health, and Yakima Clean Air Agency. That effort supported implementation and code compliance more effectively.