Building a Resilient Power Grid: Entergy Louisiana’s New Substation and Distribution Circuits Project
Entergy Louisiana is committed to improving the resilience of the electric grid and providing its customers with reliable power, and one of the ways they are accomplishing this is by constructing a new substation and distribution circuits in Calcasieu Parish. This $24 million project, which will benefit thousands of customers in the Gillis, Moss Bluff, and north and east Lake Charles areas, is an important step in strengthening the local electric system for years to come.
A Local Touch: GROUP Contractors at the Helm
In a move that emphasizes local partnerships and expertise, Entergy has selected GROUP Contractors, a Baton Rouge-based company, to oversee the construction of this new substation. Known for their deep foundation and construction expertise, GROUP Contractors has built a reputation for staying on the cutting edge of technologies and techniques in the field, which is why they chose to work with ICE®'s continuous flight auger (CFA) specialists.
ICE® has become known as a one-stop foundation shop, offering a wide range of solutions for various soil types and construction challenges. This partnership allows GROUP Contractors to tap into ICE®'s vast experience, making them a perfect fit for a project of this scale.
Meeting Unique Challenges: A Tougher Foundation in Calcasieu Parish
The project in Calcasieu Parish is not without its challenges, particularly when it comes to the foundation. While the average CFA pile in Louisiana typically has a 24-inch diameter, this project called for more substantial work. GROUP Contractors needed to install a variety of 30- and 36-inch diameter shafts, with depths averaging 35 feet and some shafts reaching depths as deep as 90 feet. The soil conditions in this region presented an additional hurdle, requiring careful consideration of the foundation solution.
Geotechnical soil borings indicated that the ICE® HB85, a powerful machine known for its extensive drilling capacity and torque range, would handle the job with ease. However, the soil in the area proved to be tougher than expected, and the engineers at GROUP Contractors decided to dig deeper—literally. To ensure the best performance, they reached out to their team in the field and consulted further to understand how to approach these ultra-stiff soil conditions.
A Strategic Solution: The ICE® 115-50
After assessing the situation, the engineers at GROUP Contractors determined that the ICE® 115-50, a more flexible and adaptable machine, would be the ideal solution for this project. The ICE® 115-50 is specifically designed to offer flexibility, making it perfect for the varied-sized CFA installs required for this project. This decision ensured that the foundation installation would be completed efficiently, regardless of the challenging soil conditions.
Building a Stronger Future for Louisiana
Thanks to the dedication and expertise of GROUP Contractors and ICE®, the foundation work for this substation project is progressing smoothly. The equipment and techniques used are key to ensuring the reliability of the electric grid, which will ultimately benefit the residents of Calcasieu Parish and the surrounding areas.
At ICE®, we take pride in having our equipment and rental fleet involved in projects that contribute to the reliability of energy for local communities. We’re thrilled to support GROUP Contractors in helping Entergy Louisiana build a more resilient power grid, and we look forward to continuing our successful partnership in the future.
Together, we’re building a stronger, more reliable energy infrastructure for the people of Louisiana.
