Mystic generating station tower structure
Charlestown, MA – MEC Power Group, the high-voltage utility division of McDonald Electrical, has recently furnished and installed an 85-ft. H-frame 345kV tower structure at Mystic Generating Station to increase the ground clearance of an existing 345kV transmission line.
The structure, set on concrete spread footings, is designed to support the existing 795 ACSR conductors and shield wires. MEC extended existing transformer taps to accommodate the increased cable height.
The installation required the use of two 100-ft. man-lifts, a 90-ton crane to raise the poles, and a 60-ton crane to place the cross-arm.
The NECA Boston contractor teamed with electrical engineer Stantec of Boston and owner Exelon Generation, LLC. The work was completed during a three-day power outage of the Mystic 7 diesel turbine.
MEC expedited procurement of all materials, and the crew of six IBEW Local 103 electricians performed installations on the fast-track project in constricted work space at the fully operational power station.
The project was headed by MEC’s division director Chris Lombardi.
