AEP Texas installed two new transformers to enhance the water supply system in Corpus Christi and address the need for increased capacity and reliability during the city's Stage 3 Water Restrictions.
Both water stations use two 3000 kVA transformers—one for redundancy and the other for powering pumps. To ensure all pumps operate during Stage 3 Water Restrictions, each station needs an additional 300 kVA transformer for new equipment like SCADA systems, HVAC units, and lighting. The fuses were also upgraded to reclosers to manage the increased load.
The new transformers will provide reliable power to the SCADA and HVAC systems. The HVAC units are essential for cooling the variable frequency drives (VFDs) that control the pumps, while the SCADA system allows remote monitoring of the water stations. The upgraded reclosers will reduce the risk of faults, ensuring that all pumps operate without interruption.
Other similar projects are in the works, including new water line installations requiring transmission lines to be energized.