INNOVATION July-August 2013

. 2013 PROJECT HIGHLIGHTS

2012

Bi-directional Electric Vehicle Conversion

On behalf of REV Technologies, Perkuna Engineering has completed the design and assembly of an all-electric sport utility vehicle with grid-tied bi-directional power flow. The original powertrain was removed, including the engine, transmission, gas tank, and exhaust system. Utilizing a 3D laser scan of the vehicle, an electric drivetrain was de- signed which requires no modification to the vehicle chas- sis. The result is an all-electric vehicle with performance

surpassing that of the original vehicle. The 125 kW motor propels the vehicle to a speed of 130 km/h and has a range nearing 160 km. The differentiating feature of this electric vehicle is the ability to supply power to the electrical grid, acting as a mobile power supply or a residen- tial or commercial backup power source. Owner: TARDEC. Design and fabrication: Perkuna Engineering and REV Technologies. Professionals involved: Kody Baker, P.Eng.; Jonathan Faille, EIT; Sean Boyd, EIT.

Forrest Kerr Hydroelectric Project

The Forrest Kerr hydroelectric project is a 195 MW run-of-river hydro facility located on the Iskut River in northwestern British Columbia, approximately 100 km northwest of Stewart.  The project will capture the energy produced by the natural river flow and elevation drop to produce and deliver clean, renewable power to the transmission system via BC Hydro’s 287-kV Northwest Transmission Line. The intake consists of a forebay control structure, a de-sander basin and a tunnel portal designed for a maximum flow of 252 m 3 /s.  Two, 10 m high Obermeyer gates and a sluiceway with one 6 m wide by 9 m high radial gate are used to control headpond level, manage bedload sediment and provide the instream flow requirements.  A 3.15-km long power tunnel connects the intake to an underground powerhouse which houses nine 22.5 MW horizontal axis Francis Turbines. 

Owner: Coast Mountain Hydro Corporation. Consultant: Hatch.

Vancouver Harbour Seaplane Base

With more than 50 aircraft, Harbour Air has become the largest all-seaplane company in the world. Their services include frequent flights connecting Vancouver, Victoria, Nanaimo, Richmond, Sechelt, Comox and the Gulf Islands. Argus Consulting and W.S. Nicholls Western Construction teamed up to provide design/build services to Harbour Air for the installation of a new three position Jet-A fueling system for the new Harbour Air Seaplane Base located in downtown Vancouver, British Columbia. The design included the Jet-A piping and controls system along with a new fire water and domestic water system (all of which were installed in 316 L stainless steel materi- als), dock lighting, and emergency fuel shut off system.

4 8

J U LY/AU G U S T 2 013

i n n o v a t i o n