eastmain magazine

People with a powerful vision

Eastmain-1-A powerhouse

The client’s contribution:From installation to commissioning

Sarcelle powerhouse

Bulb components Mitigation measures

Record Cree involvement in mitigation measures

Volume 9, Issue 3, October 2011


Start-upOnce the installation is complete, the turbine manufacturer starts up the various systems with HQP in attendance. A dozen or so systems, including the fi re detection, oil injection and braking systems, are then scrutinized, one by one, to make sure they are working properly. Voith Hydro takes any correc-tive measures necessary, while SEBJ notes them for follow-up.

Then HQP carries out the second part of the start-up, calibra-tion of the unit’s instruments, such as the sensors that measure oil levels, temperatures, fl ow rates, vibration and pressure.

Ready-to-run testingThen the three stakeholders conduct their fi nal joint inspections. If there are no major problems, Voith Hydro hands the unit over to SEBJ for delivery to HQP.

At this point, the ready-to-run stage, SEBJ has fulfilled its responsibilities as prime contractor.

CL – Just as you would hire a general contractor to build your house, Hydro-Québec Production (HQP) has given the Société d’énergie de la Baie James (SEBJ) responsibility for overseeing construction of the Eastmain-1-A powerhouse. In turn, SEBJ does business with experts to supply and install all the powerhouse components, such as Voith Hydro for the generating units. As a good owner, HQP is involved from beginning to end, from the design stage to the handover. Let’s take a look at the role of Hydro-Québec Production’s personnel, from installation to commissioning of the generating units.

InstallationThe three generating units at the Eastmain-1-A powerhouse are being designed, manufactured and installed by Voith Hydro, under SEBJ’s supervision. During the installation phase, the client (HQP) is kept informed of progress at the jobsite and consulted when changes arise with regard to the specifi cations. Its involvement also takes the form of predetermined spot checks at hold points, such as shaft alignment inspection to check that the unit, from the generator bearing to the turbine, is vertical. This is a crucial point in the assembly of the unit, when HQP naturally wants to be present.

The client’s contribution: From installation to commissioning

Supervisor – Public Relations / Magazine Editor / Bionda Miotto 819 865-2100, ext. 4151, [email protected] Writers: Geneviève Bujold, Catherine Langlois, Bionda Miotto, Liza Perron, Jane VoyageurContributors: Bruno Blanchette, Valérie Croison, Ruth Picard, Bernard RhéaumeTranslator: Margaret Kane Savage / Revisers: Isabel Fonte, Karin Montin / Graphic artist: : Paul Salois Design / Photographer Paul Brindamour Additional photos: Piero Hardy, Jane Voyageur, Pascal Dion, Bionda Miotto / Printer: Imprimerie Lebonfon

Eastmain Magazine is published by SEBJ Public Relations for the workers of the Eastmain-1-A/Sarcelle/Rupert project.Internet site: www.hydroquebec.com/rupert Extranet site: www.extranetsebj.ca (© SEBJ, All rights reserved)Eastmain Magazine is printed on chlorine- and acid-free EcoLogo certifi ed paper, made in Québec, containing 100% post-consumer fi bre, manufactured using biogas energy.

2 Eastmain Magazine, October 2011

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CommissioningOnce the unit has been de-livered, HQP goes ahead with upstream and downstream fi lling. Independently, but in partnership with a Voith Hydro expert, HQP commis-sions the unit, in and out of service. This process takes nearly 20 workers about six weeks . It includes electrical, mechanical and automatic control testing (see sidebar).

Only after these tests have been completed can HQP personnel offi cially perform

the fi nal commissioning. The unit then produces several megawatts, which are carried to southern Québec by the Nemiscau transmission line. It is a special event that deserves to be highlighted every time! The fi rst unit was offi cially com-missioned on June 9, 2011.

Operation from 2012 to ... Finally, once everything is in service mode, that is, when all units have been commissioned, two 25-person teams will take turns maintaining and running the Eastmain-1-A powerhouse. The teams will also be responsible for operating the East-main-1 powerhouse, commissioned in 2006, and the Sarcelle powerhouse, in addition to managing spillways and control structures throughout the region.

Main commissioning tests (by system)

Mechanical – Initial upstream and downstream fi lling, initial rotation of the unit, overspeed tests (to ensure that the unit will stop in the event of load shedding), performance tests, in-service hydraulic behavior tests and temperature-rise tests. Electrical – Short-circuit and open-circuit characteristics, generator and network frequency (60 Hz) matching, unit ramp-up and load shedding.

Automatic controls – Control and protection systems (all remote-controlled and automated systems needed for the unit to operate independently), acquisition of all system alarms, and commissioning of water level gauges and meteorological stations.

Eastmain Magazine, October 2011 3

People with a powerful vision4 Eastmain Magazine, October 2011

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CL – You just need to think back to June 2011 to realize how fast the inside wall of the powerhouse on the left bank traded its rock background for concrete blocks. In fact, an entire mezzanine took shape near the assembly area this summer. Its walls, built by the TAP Consortium, will house offi ces, an archive room, workshops and a

Start-up of mechanical and electrical equipmentCL – In September, TAP started up the ventilation and various other systems. Some systems and equipment supplied by TAP were also commissioned this summer by Hydro-Québec Production crews.

TAP is continuing to install lighting, service outlets, telephone jacks, cable racks and fi re detection sys-tems. Finally, TAP began to install the motorized gate outside the powerhouse on September 8.

heavy-part storage room. In September, TAP was continuing masonry on the interior divisions, as well as the mechanical work, which began on September 6, 2011.

June 2011 September 2011

The mezzanine is taking shape


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Delivery of generating unit LC 12CL – Unit LC 12 was delivered to Hydro-Québec Production on August 27. This was the second unit to be handed over. Hydro-Québec crews are now conducting extensive testing prior to commissioning.

Final sprint: Unit LC 13 is 95% completedCL – Contractor Voith Hydro is fi nishing the assembly of the last generating unit, LC 13. By mid-September, the Eastmain-1-A powerhouse’s third unit was 95% completed. The fi nal step is the installation of ancillary services and instrumentation. In fact, Voith Hydro lowered the rotor into unit LC 13 on August 10, 2011.

Meanwhile, below the LC 13 turbine runner, a Voith Hydro crew has removed the watertight slab that was welded to the draft tube cone in summer 2010. This thick plug kept water from the draft tube from fl owing back into to the unit once the tailrace was started up in September 2010.


HUB COVERLocation: This is the most upstream component of the generating unit—the one the water touches fi rst. The hub cover is bolted to the stator frame. Weight: 81 t

Details: The hub cover will be fi tted with a vertical access through which ancillary services will be connected and insulated bus bars will transmit energy.

STATORLocation: It surrounds the rotor inside a watertight frame.Weight: 120 t Diameter: 7.925 m

Details: The stator is the fi xed component of the generator. It consists of 92,000 laminations, 99 key bars and 792 bars. Each of the bars is composed of two rows of 23 copper strands. There is a clearance of 13.3 mm between the stator parts and the rotor poles when the unit is in operation. This is the largest component of the generating unit to be moved by the overhead traveling crane.

ROTORLocation: The rotor is upstream of the stay ring and inside the stator. The stator frame is welded to the hub cover upstream and to the stay ring downstream. Weight: 161 t

Details: The rotor is the rotating component of the generator. It consists of a central spider with 21 arms and a rim of stacked laminations supporting 84 poles. The rotor, driven by the turbine shaft at its centre, spins at about 85 rpm. This is the heaviest component to be lifted by the overhead traveling crane.

STAY RINGLocation: The stay ring is located between the stator frame and the distri-butor. Weight: 213 t

Details: The stay ring is the bulb unit’s supporting structure. The two vertical arms, in addition to supporting the unit, pro-vide access to its interior. The turbine shaft runs through the middle of the stay ring.

Bulb ComponentsLP - What’s inside a bulb-type generating unit? Let’s take a close look at its components.

A

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A: Upstream shaftB: Hub cover

C: StatorD: Rotor

E: Turbine shaftF: Stay ring


TURBINE SHAFTLocation: The shaft runs horizontally through the stay ring and the distribu-tor. It goes through the centre of the rotor and is connected to the exciter housing upstream. Downstream, it is connected to the turbine runner.Weight: 73 t Length: 9.81 m

Details: It consists of various bearings that either support the weight of the unit or regulate hydraulic pressure. When a generating unit is in operation, the water drives the runner, rotating the shaft which, in turn, activates the rotor.

TURBINE RUNNERLocation: The runner is inside the runner chamber, which is connected to the distributor upstream and to the upstream sleeve downstream.Total weight: 75.7 t (fi lled with 4,500 L of oil)Blade weight: 6.2 tChamber diameter: 7.64 m

Details: The runner chamber was installed in two sections. It contains the runner, which consists of a central hub to which four blades are attached. This is the rotating assembly connected to the turbine shaft. When the unit is fully operational, the runner will turn at about 85 rpm.

DISTRIBUTOR Location: The distributor is attached to the sealing ring upstream and to the runner chamber downstream. Weight of a wicket gate: 3.42 t

Details: It was assembled in two sections inside the unit. The water will fl ow into the distributor and drive the tur-bine runner. The distributor, with its 16 wicket gates, will control the fl ow.

Bulb ComponentsLP - What’s inside a bulb-type generating unit? Let’s take a close look at its components.

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G: Gate ringH: Distributor

I: Wicket gates J: Blades

K: Turbine runner hub

BLADE RUNNER CHAMBER


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GB – In mid-September, the fi rst employees of contractor Carrières Bob-Son were back at the Sarcelle jobsite getting their heavy equipment ready to start work.

GB – Following the initial fi lling of the tailrace, each unit will be kept dry until the work is completed by a watertight gate installed downstream in the diff user slots.

The gates are carefully checked to make sure they are watertight. The preoperational testing procedure, developed by engineers at Alstom Canada Inc., covers a number of points, including the power supply, electronic system and hydraulic piston system. The procedure is used to identify and correct problems before SEBJ, Alstom and HQP sign off on the fi nal testing report, which gives the green light for commissioning tests.

They’ll be clearing the headrace invert, excavating the upstream and downstream coff erdams, closing and back-fi lling the temporary bypass canal, building a jetty at the downstream water level indicator and building a spur.

They’re going to be busy this fall!

Carrières Bob-Son is back!

Testing the downstream gates


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LP – Unit LS 23’s stator assembly has moved for the last time! After being assembled in the turbine manufacturer’s workshop at Sarcelle, transported to the powerhouse assembly area and carefully positioned through the upstream access, the fi rst stator is now in place between the hub cover and the stay ring.

Various steps led up to the fi nal placement of the stator. First, the crews of contractor Alstom had to carry out tests on the rotor, which is surrounded by the huge frame containing the stator components.

Then, vertical and horizontal manoeuvres, with manual and hydraulic jacks, took nearly three days. After two watertight seals were embedded in the space provided on the stay ring, the fi nal 108 bolts were tightened.

Now unit LS 23 is a waterproof shell and the rest of the work is being done inside.

To be continued.

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Willie Weistche

Record Cree involvement in mitigation measures

In late October, over 65 mitigation measure contracts were awarded to Cree tallymen or companies, and almost all of them should be completed by the end of the year.

Because of the tallymen’s excellent cooperation in mobilizing the workforce and resources needed to meet the deadlines, all the land redevelopment and enhancement planned for this summer has been done. Boat ramps being built and portages being developed along the Rupert will be completed by the end of October.

Most of the remaining contracts for roads, ATV trails and snowmobile trails should be fi nished by the end of December.

Let’s hope for a mild fall, because we still have a lot to do before winter!

Bernard RhéaumeSection Manager – Contract AdministrationMitigation Measures

Harry Erless, Clarence Cowboy, Willie Weistche

David Erless, Harry Erless, Willie Weistche, Alex Katapatuk

Eeyou JD Lumberjack employees Walter Jolly

Michel Traversy

In partnership with the Crees

BM – Since 1999, he has been closely involved with the Eastmain-1-A/Sarcelle/Rupert project, working on many contracts in partnership with the Crees.

A geologist by profession, Michel Traversy fi rst set foot in the Baie-James (James Bay) area in 1975 to help plan the route of the LG 4–Caniapiscau road.

From 1999 to 2007, he worked on all phases of the draft design. At that time, he was the job-site engineering representative, optimizing the building of the structures. He also represented SEBJ and Hydro-Québec in the plan to provide drinking water for the community of Eastmain, where he lived for almost two years. Once the project was announced in January 2007, he continued to be involved in the engineering aspect, gradually focusing on the preparation and implementation of mitigation measures.

In the fi eld, willing to answer the questions and meet the needs of all the Crees connected to the Eastmain-1-A/Sarcelle/Rupert project and always attuned to the needs of his clientele, he managed to create a showcase, which had never happened before in any of the James Bay projects.

He had decided from the outset to work in partnership with the Crees at all stages of the project, from initial studies to the completion of mitigation measures. Attentive to the concerns of the Crees, he made it his mission to minimize the culture shock arising from this new partnership.

For Michel, even now, after all these years, it has been the project of a lifetime. In his view, SEBJ, Hydro-Québec and the Crees have worked hard to accomplish this megaproject. He fervently hopes that all their joint eff orts have paved the way for the future.


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Sidney Loon

JV/RP – Sidney Loon started working for SEBJ in July 2002, while the technical and optimi-zation studies for Eastmain-1 and Eastmain-1-A/Sarcelle/Rupert were being conducted. He worked closely with the tallymen and was involved with the six Cree communities—Mistissini, Nemaska, Waskaganish, Eastmain, Wemindji and Chisasibi—that were directly aff ected by the project. He worked as an advisor and occasionally served as an interpreter.

In 2007, with the end of the studies and the beginning of another phase of the project, Sidney worked as a construction liaison offi cer, preparing for the mitigation measures. His responsibilities included fi sh studies (mainly the sturgeon hatchery), awarding contracts to the Crees and coordinating land users’ contracts. He was the resource person for relations between the Crees, SEBJ and other bodies.

On a typical day, Sidney ensures that everything goes according to schedule; he books fl ights, drafts workcamp access requests for Cree employees, looks after the timesheets for all Cree workers in the various units and carries out other administrative tasks. Then, he heads out to the jobsites, the communities or the traplines to make sure that everything is going well.

Commemorative monument site (trapline N-25)1. Nellie Coonishish 2. Andrew Coonishish 3. James Jolly 4. Walter Jolly 5. Michel Traversy 6. Sidney Loon 7. Robert Coonishish

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Dominique ClosBM – Newly arrived from the community of Wemindji, where she had been setting up a project to build log houses, Dominique Clos became an employee of SEBJ through Chibougamau’s local employment centre. In February 2003, she started out as a clerk 2 in Nemiscau under Gregoire Gaudet, Section Manager – Infrastructure, Roads and Workcamps. Her initial position was with the Eastmain-1-A/Sarcelle/Rupert draft-design team. She sub-sequently worked for the project as a bookkeeper and later as an expert. She enjoyed the workplace atmosphere and recalls the humanism and wisdom of her immediate superior. “You meet people here who are always smiling. Mr. Gaudet was one of those rare people who gave me the opportunity to reach new heights and who generously passed on his knowledge to his colleagues. He was always patient and attentive, and he helped me learn the workings of SEBJ bureaucracy.”

During the environmental monitoring, her tasks mainly involved hiring Crees, paying bills in the communities and following up on agreements. She had to visit every community to provide assistance and update certain accounting records. She also met with the tallymen about reforestation, seeding and trapping contracts.

Dominique enjoyed her jobsite experience, especially seeing Crees working outside their communities, running busi-nesses. “Observing the diff erence between traditionalist and next-generation Crees was what really interested me. I met some very remarkable people. I had a great time taking photos of magical morning landscapes, a ray of sunshine over a tepee, canoeing with a Cree coworker. I also enjoyed going fi shing. I have wonderful memories. On the human side, I learned a lot about others and myself.”

Now she wants to reconnect with “normal” life! “I’ve been neglecting my parents and my friends, since I’ve been here, so I want to spend time with them and do more photography.”

Harry Blacksmith: Contagious joie de vivre!

CL – Everyone knows Harry Blacksmith! He’s been spreading his good humor around the Eastmain projects since 2003. He’s always ready to lend a hand, as long as everyone is having fun! In summer 2011, he was asked to help with the larval drift follow-up conduc-ted by Environnement Illimité, and this fall, Harry is busy with various environment-related tasks, such as land clearing and planting.

Harry is also very athletic and regularly participates in sports challenges in the various Cree communities. Canoeing, volleyball, portage and cycling competitions are a passion for this highly energetic man from the community of Mistissini. With a smile on his face, he won’t hesitate to strike up a conversation with you and trade jokes ... if he hasn’t already!

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� Petite Marie, we’re talking about you because ...*

LP – We cannot possibly let this moment pass without letting you know how grateful we are for your joy, your passion and your energy. We know that you would say: “Everyone helps carry out my ideas. There are plenty of other people you should be thanking. I’m not the only one.” We are well aware that you don’t expect any thanks. For three years now, you have very humbly enabled Sarcelle residents to enjoy a nurturing environment and activities of all kinds.

Petite Marie, we’re talking about you because your perseverance, your dedication and your love of people have left an indelible mark. Everyone who has, directly or indirectly, benefi ted from your involvement has wonderful memories of many places and events. We’re willing to bet that you can’t even remember all the activities you organized or worked on.

Petite Marie, we’re talking about you because the Nemiscau Curling Club, the Sarcelle cottage, the United Way campaigns, fl oral arrangements, the greenhouse, everything you’ve done to preserve the environment or give people pleasure, not to mention your talent as a decorator for the supper of the month – none of it would have been the same nor, in many cases, would it even have existed without you.

Petite Marie, we’re talking about you because we admire you. Because someone who shines the way you do—a mother, a career woman, a person of principles and values, a go-getter, a star—is rare. Your enthusiasm is infectious. Your energetic moves make us want to join the dance. Your humanity betters us.

Petite Marie, we’re talking about you because we want to say thank you.

* “Petite Marie” is a song by Francis Cabrel.


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Swift water rescue

BM –This past August, Crees who are required to work on water learned how to tie ropes to rescue people in rivers and strong currents. We interviewed trainer David Kirvan, of Raven Rescue, and his students. The video will be up on the Hydlo & Friends website later this year.

Marie Gagné


BB - Deafness aff ects 60% of workers in the construction industry. Have you ever spoken to a coworker from behind and realized that she never even

knew you were there?

Have you ever spoken to a coworker from one side and gotten no answer or a startled reaction because he didn’t hear you approach? Have your

words ever been misheard – shift becoming lift, for example? Have you ever asked a question and received an answer that had nothing

to do with it? Does one of your coworkers often ask you to repeat yourself?

If so, you should suspect a hearing problem. Deafness iso-lates people; they can become withdrawn and won’t

join in conversations. Often, it will never even occur to them that they’ve lost their hearing, because

the process has been so gradual.

How do you broach the subject? Diplomatically, or with the help of someone who suff ers from hearing

loss. If the aff ected person seems to have an open mind, you should let her know that very

advanced hearing aids are now available.


How do you protect yourself from noise that can cause hearing loss? With earplugs and ear defenders.

Did you know that removing your hearing protection, even for just a few minutes, may cancel out its effect? You might just as well not have worn any protection all day.

Do you hear me?

Deafness aff ects 60% of workers in the construction industry. Have you Deafness aff ects 60% of workers in the construction industry. Have you Deafness aff ects 60% of workers in the construction industry. Have you

Occupational Deafness

This fall, tallymen from the Cree communities of Nemaska and Waskaganish will be improving many portages.

Following consultations with the tallymen, nearly 48 portages along the Rupert were identifi ed. Tallymen, canoe brigades and kayakers have been using these trails to bypass diffi cult stretches of water for years.

As part of the project, commitments were made to improve the portages and make them safe. Due to the drop in water levels resulting from the partial diversion of the Rupert, in November 2009, some portages are no longer needed, while others have to be extended.

Therefore, this fall, 23 kilometres on 34 portage trails will be improved. Most of the work consists of felling trees and clearing brush, but bypasses, walkways and small wooden bridges will be built on some portages. The improvements will require slinging almost 2,700 treated wood planks. All the tasks will be carried out by 10 tallymen and their crews. Finally, signs will be installed along the river to indicate the entrance and exit of each portage.

Once the work has been completed, por-taging will be easier, making boating on the Rupert River even more enjoyable.

Valérie CroisonContract Administrator – EnvironmentSEBJ

Developing portages along the Rupert

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