Black Start

Building preparedness for recovering from a major grid outage requires precision and speed. Black start power generation units can come online without grid support, and every North American Electric Reliability Corp. (NERC) region must build it into their reliability plan. 

Our capabilities in the development of black start combustion facilities are extensive. We designed and constructed the first black start-capable GE 7FA unit in the United States for Alliant Energy. We have utilized that experience in a range of design and construction projects for black start capability. Many of these facilities have been turnkey projects, but we have also provided design, procurement support and construction management services. 

Black start capability can be added to both new and existing facilities. As a full-service environmental, engineering, procurement and construction firm, we can support you from permitting efforts through to engineering, procurement, construction and startup. We also provide the ancillary systems that may need upgrade or modification, including turbine control systems, generator protective relaying, fuel systems, steam cycle equipment, backup generator building, generator circuit breaker controls and more.

We also have completed a large number of reciprocating engine projects, which, while primarily positioned and designed to chase wind load, can also operate as black start resources. Likewise, we have designed combined heat and power projects with microgrid capability.