Government / Utility

Equipment

Medium voltage switchgear, transformers

About The Project

Access Electric Supply partnered with a leading utility contractor on a critical BESS installation supporting a remote armed forces training facility in a challenging environment. We supplied the medium-voltage switchgear and transformers required to tie the BESS and station power into the grid, which are core capabilities for our team. 

The project’s complexity increased with the integration of the automation systems that bring the installation online and keep it operating reliably. Shown here are the automation and reporting racks, featuring SEL RTACs and supporting components designed to deliver the level of visibility, control, and resilience required for a mission-critical power system. 

In addition to the electrical distribution equipment shown, Access Electric Supply also provides fully integrated BESS solutions, allowing customers to source the complete energy storage and power infrastructure from a single, trusted partner.

Equipment:

HMI panels, PLCs, Services

About The Project

The Interstate 90 tunnels connecting Mercer Island to Seattle rely on complex GE switchgear lineups to power and control their critical ventilation systems. As portions of the existing low-voltage generator control system neared end of life, WSDOT needed a streamlined solution to upgrade the HMI panels and PLCs while minimizing disruption and simplifying project coordination.

Access Electric Supply partnered with ABB to provide a complete equipment and installation solution that modernized the system and improved overall performance. By consolidating the project under a single supplier, we helped reduce coordination challenges, simplify communication, and support a smoother startup process for the WSDOT team.

The result is a more reliable, future-ready control system helping keep air moving safely through one of the region’s busiest transportation corridors.

Equipment:

MV Switchgear

About The Project

A city-owned utility in Washington was facing aging infrastructure challenges across five substations originally built in the 1960s and 1970s. While the existing 15kV secondary distribution houses remained structurally sound, the original breakers had become increasingly unreliable and were approaching the end of their service life.

Rather than pursuing a costly full replacement of each electrical house, the utility partnered with Access Electric Supply to develop a more strategic modernization approach. Working closely with the project team, we helped implement a custom cradle-in-cradle replacement breaker solution that allowed the substations to be upgraded while preserving the existing infrastructure.

The new breakers extended the operational life of the substations while introducing modern safety and operational improvements, including remote racking capabilities and remote open/close functionality integrated directly into the city’s SCADA system. To further enhance reliability and maintenance safety, new exterior doors with infrared scanning windows were installed, allowing for safer inspections and improved preventative maintenance practices without exposing personnel to energized equipment.

By combining modernization with practical infrastructure reuse, the project improved system reliability, increased operator safety, and helped the utility avoid the significant cost and downtime associated with full substation replacement.

Equipment:

Substations, Switchboards, Liquid Filled Transformers, Services

About The Project

With continued expansion at Naval Base Kitsap-Bangor in Silverdale, WA, NAVFAC issued an RFQ for five stainless steel substations, custom-made submarine connection mounds, and various other power distribution equipment, including switchboards, liquid-filled transformers, and panelboards. Access was selected by the successful electrical contractor due to experience, plan of action, and track record of execution. 

In addition to the supply of equipment, Access Electric also provided integration services to incorporate the power data extracted from the substations to the overall site SCADA system. This project was complex, but superbly executed due to hands-on management and technical expertise.

Equipment:

MV Switchgear

About The Project

The Western Area Power Administration (WAPA) required the rapid replacement of five aging PowerVac medium voltage circuit breakers while maintaining a very tight outage and installation schedule. With limited downtime available, the project demanded a solution that could improve long-term reliability without requiring extensive modifications to the existing equipment lineup.

Access Electric Supply worked with the project team to provide ABB RMVAC roll-in replacement breakers, offering a streamlined modernization solution designed specifically for fast installation and improved operational performance. The replacement breakers delivered enhanced reliability, updated protection capabilities, and reduced maintenance requirements compared to the legacy equipment they replaced.

Because the RMVAC design allowed the new breakers to integrate with the existing switchgear infrastructure, the entire upgrade was completed within an aggressive three-day installation window. The project scope also included onsite training for WAPA personnel, helping ensure operators and maintenance teams were fully prepared to support the upgraded equipment moving forward.

By combining modern medium voltage technology with an efficient retrofit approach, the project minimized outage time, improved system performance, and extended the life of critical utility infrastructure.