EleKtro and process automation (E/PA) AWP 2.0

Part of the renovation and renewal of the existing wastewater pressure pipe (AWP) is the renewal of all electrical components and a high degree of process automation. As a valued PAUW partner, Hoppenbrouwers Techniek has been involved in the prestige project of Waterschap Brabantse Delta from the very beginning. An interview with project leader Industrial Automation Miguel De Koninck.

Hoppenbrouwers Techniek has been active in the field of drinking and waste water for fifteen years and has become an established name in this market. As such, Hoppenbrouwers is a regular partner of GMB Water Quality & Installations for the realization of works in this sector. Even before the AWP 2.0 project came to market, the two parties had already found each other and made arrangements for possible cooperation on this project. "This cooperation meant that we would be full partners within the tender team," De Koninck looks back. "Throughout the duration of the tender, a team of us, like the other partners within PAUW,  moved in with GMB to achieve optimal synergy in both coordination, design and planning."

Roosendaal pressure station new medium voltage distributor.

Conversion phases

Within the project, Hoppenbrouwers is responsible for the electrical part, or the medium and low voltage, the process automation and the heating/cooling and ventilation in the buildings. De Koninck: "The biggest challenge for us relates mainly to the conversion phases. During such a phasing there is a maximum (complete) downtime of 8 hours. Furthermore, we have a delivery obligation (transport) to guarantee during the entire conversion period. To this end, we have obviously drawn up all kinds of management measures. One of them is, for example, an improved reserve count: the guarantee of always n+1. Furthermore, risks are managed by organizing periodic risk sessions and we try to avoid surprises by planning integrally according to the LEAN philosophy with all parties involved, including the Brabantse Delta water board."

Press station Roosendaal current pump cellar.

Preventing surprises

For Hoppenbrouwers, De Koninck says AWP 2.0 is a great reference. "It gets quite a lot of attention from the outside world. The fact that it is a prestige project for the water board also makes it unique for us. Waterschap Brabantse Delta wants to be completely unburdened and that is precisely where our strength lies. We have that knowledge and expertise in-house and advise the water board where necessary in making the right choices for the various solutions, validated against the requested requirements. We take the water board by the hand, as it were, and explain the choices we make and why we make them. This prevents surprises and creates commitment, which is experienced as very pleasant. To date, the project has proceeded on schedule and to everyone's satisfaction. There is optimal cooperation between the PAUW partners and with the Water Board. The cooperation is periodically measured and evaluated; there is almost weekly consultation at every level."

Meanwhile, the PAUW partners are a year into the project after the tender and the DO phase is behind them. The engineering phase is in full swing and "We have just been working outside for a few weeks. Now things are really starting to get exciting, but we are confident that things will work out," De Koninck concludes.