Delivering generators to Australia’s heart

An Enerpac gantry lifting system deployed by Tutt Bryant Heavy Lift & Shift has demonstrated its practicality and safety in precisely positioning electrical power generating equipment to supply one of the most remote towns in Australia.

Applying its expertise for MAN Diesel & Turbo Australia, the company used the SBL1100 modular hydraulic jacking system to install diesel/gas generators and alternator sets each weighing hundreds of tonnes at the Owen Springs Power Station near Alice Springs in Central Australia.

The $126 million power station is about 1500 km inland from the nearest port or major city. It will become the area’s sole electricity provider as it replaces the Ron Goodwin Power Station over the decade to 2021.

Designed as a major infrastructure development seeking best practice in fuel efficiency and reduced carbon emissions, the three 10.9 MW diesel gas generators and alternators were transported overland from the Port of Darwin by the company using multiple prime movers with a 16-axle, three-file hydraulic platform trailer for each of the generators, and a 4 x 8 low loader and 2 x 8 dolly for each of the alternators.

The hydraulic jacking system provided a controlled and precise method of lifting and installation even in projects constrained by permanent overhead structures, and could be used in diverse situations across industries such as mining and resources, plant, oil and gas structures, energy and infrastructure installation and maintenance, and ports and shipping.

This combination of trailers, low loaders and dollies provided safe load capacity to efficiently transport each 420-plus tonne load over the vast distance using three prime movers in a two-in-front, one-in back formation. The carefully planned operation - involving 6.6 metre-high loads and designed to minimise impact on public roads and infrastructure - was completed on schedule.

Once on site, the next phase of the task involved the company unloading and placing the loads onto their respective foundations. The use of specialised transportation and alternative lifting equipment allowed each of the generators and alternators to be unloaded and relocated all in a single operation, increasing the efficiency of the task.

“The installation was a delicate process due to the tight confined space and the requirement to have the machinery exactly aligned,” said Tutt Bryant Heavy Lift & Shift’s western region operations manager for specialised transport Justin Congdon.

“During execution, Tutt Bryant Heavy Lift & Shift was able to implement innovative solutions, such as building a ramp up on to the alternator foundations and enabling side shift capability mode on the modular hydraulic jacking system. These solutions enabled the alternators to be manoeuvred into their respective bays sideways - and placed within a 2-3 mm tolerance.

“The SBL1100 was a key technology involved in this exercise, first allowing us to efficiently transport the unit over long distance to the project site thanks to its patented foldable design that allows good transportation dimensions, while the unit’s quick ‘plug and play’ set-up typically requires only half a day.

“Once set up, the SBL1100 has a lifting height of nearly 13 m and a lifting capacity of up to 1100 tonnes. The self-contained hydraulic system has a fail-safe design with three-stage hydraulic cylinders mounted upside down in an octagonal-shaped boom design. Powered side shifters are another feature that ensures maximum placement accuracy,” said Congdon.