Ebara Elliott Energy Updates Manufacturing Facility with Compressor, Electrical Equipment Testing
The 138-Kv breaker and numerous capacitor banks will regulate voltage dips and swells to protect customer and company equipment during tests up to 100 MW.
Ebara Elliott Energy (EEE) completed a large-scale electrical upgrade at its manufacturing facility in Jeanette, PA, enabling testing of compressors and electrical equipment up to 100 MW—equivalent to approximately 134,102 hp. The upgrade timeline is as follows:
- Late 2022: Started capability studies with First Energy, shortly followed by assessments, planning, and engineering conducted by EEE’s team.
- August 2024: Began installing a new line connecting the local substation to its manufacturing facility.
- October 2024: Commenced drilling for new utility poles.
- Q3 2025: Upgrades will be finished and fully operational.
“We see this upgrade as a tremendous opportunity for EEE to respond to our customers’ evolving needs, particularly in the LNG market,” said Mark Babyak, Vice President of New Apparatus Sales at EEE. “Expanding our testing capabilities in Jeannette will enable us to help customers transition to greener solutions for a sustainable future.”
Upgrade Details
A primary 138-kV breaker will feature on/off functionality and protect the facility from incoming utility power, while the 100-MVA power transformer will regulate 138-kV of power to usable levels within its Jeanette facility: 34.5 kV. Voltage dips and swells are managed by a series of capacitor banks, protecting customer and EEE equipment from spurious trips—when a safety instrumented function activates without demand. EEE’s electrical equipment, located downstream from the main 138-kV breaker, will be safeguarded by 34.5-kV breakers.
“With the industry moving toward more electrification of large primary drivers, this upgrade positions EEE to lead large-horsepower compressor testing capability, being a one-stop-shop for manufacturing, testing, and service for turbomachinery,” said Ron Josefczyk, Vice President of Global Manufacturing at EEE.
Ebara Corp. News
In early November 2024, Ebara Corp. purchased 80% of the shares in Asanvil S.A.—a Uruguayan pump sales company—through its Brazilian subsidiary, Ebara Bombas América Do Sul (EBAS). Asanvil is now a subsidiary of EBAS. Established in 2012, Asanvil focuses on the assembly, sales, and after-sales service of standard pumps and additional products. Ebara will utilize Asanvil’s sales network and ability to provide products and services locally by offering its own portfolio through the company. The combined offerings will increase Ebara’s presence and market share, as well as spur long-term business growth.
According to the company’s medium-term management plan, E-Plan 2025, Ebara will strengthen the Building & Industrial Segment through investment and establishing new sales bases. The company already established 10 new bases since 2020, including previous expansions into South America with locations in Brazil and Colombia.
And in September, Ebara announced it will construct a new equipment testing and development center for hydrogen infrastructure in Futtsu City, Japan, designed to build-out a domestic and international hydrogen supply chain. The center will conduct equipment performance tests and develop elemental technologies using liquid hydrogen; this ensures that liquid hydrogen pumps can be implemented in a hydrogen society. To guarantee safe and stable liquid hydrogen pump operation and quality assurance for customers, Ebara will perform testing using liquid hydrogen at -235° C.
Additional aspects of the center include:
- Name: Ebara Hydrogen Equipment Test and Development Center (E-HYETEC)
- Site/Building Area: Approximately 18,000 m2 and 2,800 m2, respectively.
- Investment: Approximately 16 billion yen
- Start of Construction: January 2024
- Completion of Construction: Planned for June 2026, with part of the facility operational in 2025.
