Trafo Power Solutions delivers mobile substation solution to Australian mine

A depth of experience across industries combined with in-house design expertise and a responsive approach to business has underpinned Trafo Power Solutions’ recent success for an Australian mining customer.

According to Trafo Power Solutions Managing Director, David Claassen, the company designed and supplied a robust skid-mounted transformer solution for an opencast mine in Queensland.

The turnkey substation project allows the customer to step up their generated power supply from 400 V to 6,6 kV, with the mobile substation able to accompany the customer’s generator set around the mine site.

Claassen explains that their 2,000 kVA substation includes the necessary low voltage and medium voltage switchgear, giving the customer quick and easy plug-and-play functionality when moving locations.

He adds that this means there is no need for time-consuming termination of cables when the unit is moved and reconnected to the generator. To facilitate mobility, the skid is equipped with hooks for dragging as well as push bars for moving it into position.

He emphasised that accounting for high vibration levels was critical when specifying the components, with rigid mounting for strength and the use of anti-vibration equipment. Meeting Australia’s specific standards was also an essential aspect of the contract.

Claassen notes, “The design needed to be conducted within the requirements of Australia’s national standards and specifications, with which we have extensive experience from our work there with other customers. Further, the customer also wanted certain equipment specified that was common in the Australian market as this was an important consideration to ensure adequate technical aftersales support.”

This flexibility highlights Trafo Power Solutions’ adaptable design process, which can meet any national standards while incorporating customer preferences for locally sourced equipment.

This approach was particularly important for low voltage design elements such as protection relays and monitoring systems. Claassen adds, “We are not rigid in the options that we consider and can easily adapt to customers’ choices that best suit their preferences and local market availability.”

Despite the physical distance between the customer and the country of design and manufacture, inspections and witness testing remain a core priority. The company has leveraged technology developed during the Covid pandemic to allow customers to participate fully in technical evaluations remotely.

Claassen explains, “We put this technology to good use, allowing the customer on this project to carry out all necessary inspections and factory acceptance testing remotely and to their full satisfaction. At Trafo Power Solutions, we take pride in being easy to work with and finding creative solutions – even across long distances and under tight deadlines.”

He adds that the project underscores the company’s growing international success and evolution from a transformer supplier to a turnkey electrical power solutions provider. Initially specializing in dry-type transformer applications in Africa, Trafo Power Solutions is expanding rapidly thanks to its engineering expertise and deep technical knowledge of electrical projects.

Caption:

Trafo Power Solutions’ mobile substation enhances flexibility and efficiency for an Australian opencast mine.

Trafo Power Solutions delivers a 2,000 kVA skid-mounted mobile substation to an Australian mine, combining innovative design, plug-and-play functionality, and compliance with national standards to optimize power management on-site.