Hydro

• Holtwood Hydroelectric Plant Expansion, Holtwood, PA
• West Dam Hydroelectric, Potsdam, NY

Wind

• Kibby Wind Power Project, Kibby Mountain, ME
• Brody Mountain (Berkshire) Wind Project, Hancock, MA
• Stetson Wind Turbine Project, Danforth, ME
• Wind Turbine Project, Lempster, NH
• Wind Turbine Project, Mars Hill, ME
• Wind Turbine Project, Princeton, MA
• Wind Turbine Project, Portsmouth, RI
• Wind Turbine Project, Hull, MA
• Wind Turbine Project, Altona, NY

Methane

• UNH/Turnkey Landfill Bio Gas Line, Durham, NH

Geothermal

• Geothermal Solutions

Methane/Natural Gas

• Kleen Energy Power Plant, Middleton, CT

HOLTWOOD HYDROELECTRIC PLANT EXPANSION, Holtwood, PA

SCOPE OF WORK:
The first major hydroelectric expansion in the Northeast in this decade will meet its 2013 completion as a result of a major effort by both Maine Drilling & Blasting and Walsh Construction. The first 8-month schedule requires all the drilling and blasting for a new powerhouse situated in close proximity between a railroad and the existing powerhouse. The scope of work outside the powerhouse entails expansion of the Forebay and Tailrace.

CHALLENGES:
Both the adjacent railroad and powerhouse are operating. The controlled blasting is a challenge that Maine Drilling & Blasting understands based upon our resources and experience with electronic detonator technology and bulk explosive application. The majority of Forebay and Tailrace work is underwater. The riverbed modifications require access and drilling methods that will be unique to the blasting industry. This work can only proceed at low river flow periods of the year, and therefore may continue through 2013.

STATUS:
Work is under way. Existing powerhouse generation and railroad traffic will remain uninterrupted by our activities.

WEST DAM HYDROELECTRIC, Potsdam, NY

SCOPE OF WORK:
Upgrading existing hydro facility.  Installing rock anchors at existing dam.  Drilling and blasting immediately adjacent to existing dam for new intake, tailrace, and turbine generator.

CHALLENGE:

• Working in very close proximity to existing dam.
• Working behind a cofferdam installed to divert water away from work area.
• Working to high tolerances on both rock removal and vibration criteria.

OUTCOME:
Work completed safely and on schedule.

SUMMARY:
Detailed planning and logistics, along with a team approach, result in a quality, safe project.

KIBBY WIND POWER PROJECT, Kibby Mountain, ME

SCOPE OF WORK:
Forty-four wind turbines on the boundary of mountains of Maine with roads and foundations. Foundations for these towers require MD&B to install 616 rock anchors.

CHALLENGE:
Road construction for crane access requires recycling the terrain features to build a road that meets equipment parameters, and avoids the fuel needed to haul materials on or off the mountain top. Between weather and rugged terrain, it takes extraordinary efforts to achieve the schedule to meet green power deadlines.

OUTCOME:
The team met the challenge by creating both the material needed and the grades required. Rock anchors for the foundations are designed with a larger diameter anchor than previously utilized.  Testing these anchors to 679,000 lbs has proven the bond passes all PTI specifications.

SCHEDULE:
This clearing of rock for access has been accomplished with a winter shutdown of only three months.

SUMMARY:
The project’s success will give Maine people more jobs on future projects, as well as more green power.

BRODY MOUNTAIN (BERKSHIRE) WIND PROJECT, Hancock, MA

SCOPE OF WORK:
These nine wind turbines on Brody Mountain in Hancock, MA constitute the first commercial wind farm in MA.  This project is backed by 18 municipal and electrical companies throughout the Commonwealth, and has extensive support from the Governor and State leaders.

CHALLENGE/SCHEDULE:
The job was awarded on a fast-track basis when the owner found GE turbines could be delivered a year early.  Our team bid this lump sum/design build to meet the aggressive schedule.

OUTCOME:
We started on a site that an earlier contractor had abandoned and are meeting all of the schedule and quality expectations of these multiple owners.

STETSON WIND TURBINE PROJECT, Danforth, ME

SCOPE OF WORK:
Thirty-eight wind towers accessed with 9 miles of road. This road provides access for the erection crane that travels 32 feet wide and 250 feet tall as it moves from tower to tower.

CHALLENGE:

• To design a road that worked with contours and allowed the crane the appropriate grades and radii.
• Install competent rock bolts for the foundations with their huge wind loads and marginal geotechnical conditions.
• Start the project in the winter of 2008 with roads and foundations complete by June.

OUTCOME:
The team met the challenge by creating both the material needed and the grades required.   The foundations were accomplished with the highest capacity solid rock anchors available.

SCHEDULE:
The schedule was achieved throughout the winter construction in Northern Maine.

SUMMARY:
The team has built the two wind farms in Maine and is ready to accept the challenge of other wind farms.

WIND TURBINE PROJECT, Lempster, NH

SCOPE OF WORK:
Twelve 2 MW Wind Turbines in Western NH.  Drilled and blasted rock through Winter and Spring 2008 to construct mountain access road for installation and maintenance of turbines.  Installed 216 rock anchors for foundations.

CHALLENGE:

• Drilling and blasting an access road through mountainous terrain in an unforgiving geology.
• Drilling and blasting and installing rock anchors in Winter and Spring conditions.
• Working through a snowfall that was nearly twice the average for that particular region to maintain an aggressive schedule.

OUTCOME:
The team met the challenge by creating both the material needed and the grades required.   The foundations were accomplished with the highest capacity solid rock anchors available.

SCHEDULE:
A late January start to accomplish access for tower erection in June.  The roads and foundations had to be constructed and ready to receive tower pieces in June allowing the summer months for the heavy rigging involved with constructing the turbines.

SUMMARY:
We were participants in the construction of the first commercial wind power facility in New Hampshire.  We accomplished a difficult project and strengthened our connections with our teammates/customers.

WIND TURBINE PROJECT, Mars Hill, ME

SCOPE OF WORK:
Twenty-eight wind towers at an elevation of 1,800 feet required road construction for the crane to move from tower to tower.

CHALLENGE:

• To design a road that worked with contours and allowed the crane the appropriate grades and radii.
• The foundations have huge wind loads and had marginal geotechnical conditions.

OUTCOME:
The team met the challenge by creating both the material needed and the grades required. The foundations were accomplished with the highest capacity solid rock anchors available.

SCHEDULE:
With the final permits in place in Spring, the work had to be completed before severe winter conditions.  An 18-month schedule was compressed to 9 months.

SUMMARY:
The project’s success will give Maine people more jobs on future projects, as well as more green power.

WIND TURBINE PROJECT, Princeton, MA

SCOPE OF WORK:
Two wind towers required road construction for the upgrade of a local utilities’ alternative power source.

CHALLENGE:

• To design and build a road which met an aggressive budget while providing adequate access to allow delivery and assembly of towers.
• Creative location and construction of roadway and foundations to put the towers in the most effective location while minimizing excavation.
• Performing drilling and blasting activities adjacent to an environmental conservation area.

OUTCOME:
The team accomplished the road construction with an evolving design.  A rock anchor design was implemented which minimized the size of the foundations.

SCHEDULE:
Work was completed in rainy months of the Fall in order to get the project closed up prior to the Winter months.

SUMMARY:
This project’s success contributes to a progressive utilities’ vision of providing local alternative energy.

WIND TURBINE PROJECT, Portsmouth, RI

SCOPE OF WORK:
Single wind tower rock anchor installation at local high school.

CHALLENGE:

• Economical means of constructing alternative energy project.
• Minimizing impact to high school campus.

OUTCOME:
The team completed the installation on schedule and safely.

SCHEDULE:
Work was completed in Summer months between high school classes and sporting events.

SUMMARY:
This town’s innovative and progressive use of its resources provide alternative power.

WIND TURBINE PROJECT, Hull, MA

SCOPE OF WORK:
One turbine on landfill site.

CHALLENGE:
To design and build a suitable foundation in a landfill.

OUTCOME:
Piles by another contractor; rock bolts through piles by Maine Drilling & Blasting.

SCHEDULE:
Work was completed on a four-week schedule.

SUMMARY:
Hull, MA is more independent for power.

WIND TURBINE PROJECT, Altona, NY

SCOPE OF WORK:
Sixty 2MW Wind Turbines near Plattsburgh, NY.  Drilled and blasted rock in Spring 2008 to construct foundations for installation and maintenance of turbines.

CHALLENGE:
Drill and blast 2 foundations per day as contractor removed the overburden.

OUTCOME:
The team met the challenge by blasting in close coordination with the general contractor.

SCHEDULE:
The work was finished July 2008, as the schedule required.

SUMMARY:
Spread footer foundations required considerable blasting to accomplish 2 towers per day.

UNH/Turnkey Landfill Bio Gas Line, Durham, NH

SCOPE OF WORK:
R.H. White installed 12.7 of miles Methane Gas Transmission Line with Maine Drilling & Blasting performing the drilling and blasting. The project connected the Turnkey Landfill in Rochester, NH with the University of New Hampshire Co-Generation Facility.

CHALLENGE:
The work was along a busy highway easement with several structures surrounding blast areas.

OUTCOME:
Maine Drilling & Blasting performed all the blasting on time and safely.

SUMMARY:
We participated in this innovative project using waste gas from a landfill as fuel for a power boiler at the University of New Hampshire.  The gas is considered a “Greenhouse Gas” and previously it was collected and burned off as it was emitted from the decomposing landfill material.  This project built the infrastructure that created the opportunity to collect and transmit this gas for use as fuel to make power and steam.

GEOTHERMAL SOLUTIONS

Maine Drilling & Blasting is your GEOTHERMAL SOLUTION. We drill only, or drill sleeve and grout. From 2 to 200 wells, Maine Drilling & Blasting brings the same rock-solid benefits to every geothermal project.

1. QUICKER
Maine Drilling & Blasting has the resources to be where you need us, when you need us. Our sleeving system, specifically designed for our drills can make short work of the process.

2. SMALLER DIAMETER HOLES
Maine Drilling & Blasting typically drills 4-inch holes for geothermal wells, instead of the 6-inch holes, which are the typical minimum size well drillers can achieve.  Smaller holes perform better and mean less grout, which means a cost savings.

3. SMALLER DRILLS
Our drills are smaller than traditional well drilling rigs, therefore we can easily and quickly mobilize to get to your project, and operate cost-efficiently.

4.  MORE ACCESSIBILITY
Many geothermal projects are retrofits.  Our more compact drills allow us to get into existing backyards that well drillers just can’t navigate.  Also consider our equipment is all terrain, able to be winched for difficult grades.

5. OVERBURDEN OR SOLID ROCK
We drill for closed-loop systems through overburden and solid rock, casing the overburden.

6. LESS EXPENSE
Efficiencies with MD&B equipment and systems, along with our experienced operators, often make Maine Drilling & Blasting the low cost provider.

7.  GROUT PUMPS AND EXPERIENCED OPERATORS
We have grout pumps suited to the task and people who know how to operate them efficiently. We pull the sleeves when we leave.

When you’re facing your next geothermal project, take the time to check out Maine Drilling & blasting.  The unexpected benefits we bring are worth the look.

KLEEN ENERGY POWER PLANT, Middleton, CT

SCOPE OF WORK:
Drill and blast over 500,000 CY of rock for the infrastructure and power block for the 620-megawatt natural gas/low sulfur oil energy plant. The plant will produce enough power for 700-1000 homes. O&G Industries is the general contractor for the site and building.

CHALLENGE:
To safely drill and blast more than 500,000 CY of open rock with critical pre-split faces for the updraft required at the power block for the cooling towers in close proximity to residences and meeting the critical path of the schedule. The project start date was November, 2007 and the completion date for our scope was July 4, 2008. Working through one of the driest summers and snowiest winters added to the challenge of maintaining schedule. In addition, we performed additional change orders and worked through design modifications.

STATUS:
We completed the blasting in order for the project to proceed, two weeks ahead of schedule.