READING INDEPENDENT FEEDER
Network Rail
The Reading Independent Feeder project, which was part of Wales and Western Capital Delivery, involved Enable Infrastructure delivering a high voltage electricity supply to the existing Reading Auto Transformer Feeder Site (ATFS) through the construction of a new ATFS at Holly Cross. The Holly Cross ATFS received power from the Bramley National Grid 400kV site, and a new HV cable route was laid alongside the railway cess to supply the Reading ATFS, covering approximately 17 km. This project is now part of the 25kV rationalised autotransformer system (RATS) that powers electric trains between London, Cardiff, and Newbury.
The project
The project’s objective is to improve the reliability, availability, and maintainability of the current network by enhancing the redundancy of the supply to Reading ATFS. Additionally, Holly Cross ATFS is designed to be able to accommodate potential future 25kV electrification of the nearby railway, which is currently not electrified. Enable Infrastructure is responsible for both the design and installation of the Reading Independent Feeder, including a 25kVA Auto Transformer Feeder Station (ATFS) at Holly Cross near Bramley, as well as all necessary electrical transformers, switchgear, control devices, and Civil Engineering Works for substructure works. Testing, including National Grid Interfaces, will be carried out before the system is energized.
The challenge
- In the project’s early phases, the project team found that the land at Holly Cross (where the Substation is located) was inhabited by dormice, a protected species.
- Prior to the contract award, there was a lack of initial engagement with the National Grid team, which was necessary for the construction of the substation and its interface with the National Grid.
- The project heavily depended on weekend possessions due to limited access to the operational railway.
- Planning permission was required to construct the new access road into Holly Cross and to acquire a strip of land that was not registered to any owner.
The solution
- In order to comply with Regulations, Enable Infrastructure obtained a license from Network Rail to handle protected dormice. After proposing options to Natural England, the agreed solution was to relocate the dormice to a protected area. Enable successfully accomplished this through collaboration and began work in the designated area.
- At the beginning of the project, National Grid did not have a design or program for the works. Enable took the lead by organising weekly progress meetings with the client (Network Rail) and the stakeholder (National Grid). Through close collaboration, we successfully addressed the initial lack of progress and transitioned to weekly meetings to ensure coordination of works and to optimise working for both parties.
- Enable discovered a new access point at Basingstoke sidings, enabling quicker cable installation and material deliveries. We also secured permission from local landowners to use a gate behind the route expediting project completion.
- Network Rail and the project team provided design and construction plans to the local Council, and adapted the design to address local council requirements.
The deliverables
- Design development, management and change control of cable route design
- Development of IPC scheme’s design including configuring devices, designing the IP network, and selecting equipment for voice and data telecommunications.
- Facilitate the creation of a fibre route between Reading ATFS and Holly Cross ATFS, connecting to Basingstoke FTN core node and Reading core node and connection, testing, and consultation with NRT for new circuit provision within the FTN network.
- Supply, construction, testing, and commissioning of a new ATFS at Holly Cross, including interface with National Grid 400kV site and site access
- Supply, construction, testing, and commissioning of a new HV cable route to supply Reading ATFS from Holly Cross ATFS, including associated earthing and bonding
- Integration into existing SCADA master station at Didcot ECR including design and implementation of screen and database updates and associated factory and site acceptance testing. Diverse DNP3/Serial SCADA circuits from Holly Cross ATFS to Didcot ECR via FTN
- Integration of new Holly Cross ATFS into existing network switch monitoring scheme including control of secure ports
- Cable routing, termination and equipment pre-commissioning works at Reading ATFS.
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