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Vahram Varzhapetyan

About

Member since
08/27/2023
Bio

Vahram Varzhapetyan, P.Eng.

48 Morgan Avenue
Toronto, ON M8Y 3A1, Canada

ph:    (416) 503 1792  
email: [email protected]
web:   https://www.linkedin.com/in/vahramvarzhapetyan/


EXPERTISE    


* EPCM type projects for utility, renewable, energy (oil), mining and heavy industrial plants
* Project budgeting, planning, scheduling, man-hours estimating, cross-discipline coordination
* T&D line design O/H (U/G) 230kV: route, tower, conductor, insulator selection
* T&D substation design: AIS/GIS 500kV (765kV) equipment sizing and selection
* Substation layout and cross-section drawings. Rigid/strain bus design
* SLD/3-line, AC/DC station service, grounding, lightning, lighting, cable/conduit diagrams
* Studies and reports: short circuit, arc-flash, load flow, insulation coordination, grounding
* P&C, AC/DC schematics, coordination, settings, CT sizing (GE, SEL, Siemens, Schneider, ABB, Mitsubishi)
* Specifications, datasheets, BOM, bid evaluations, due diligence/ owner's engineering review and reports
* Hands-on experience in commissioning/troubleshooting, HV testing (FAT, SAT), investigation/audit
* Good knowledge in application of NPCC, NERC, IESO, HONI, IEC/CSA, OESC, ANSI/IEEE, NEC, NESC, NFPA, NEMA, GOST, API, National Building Code, National Fire Code

TECHNICAL SKILLS    


Software:    MS Office, ETAP, SKM, EDSA, PTI/PSSE, EMTP, CAPE, ASPEN, EasyPower, AutoCAD, Microstation


EXPERIENCE

INDEPENDENT CONSULTING, TORONTO, CANADA / YEREVAN, ARMENIA        Mar 2020 - present

SENIOR ELECTRICAL ENGINEER/ OWNER'S ENGINEER
* Designed HV substation and O/H (U/G) transmission lines (conceptual stage/feasibility)
* Reviewed (owner's engineer) detail design, vendor packages, prepared reports, and made recommendations
* Contributed to update Electrical Code of Armenia


Project Participation: 

400kV O/H TL Design Update (Iran-Armenia) for HV Power Grid, Armenia 2020-23
* Designed (concept) to approach 220kV O/H lines to 400/220kV substation I (South): routing and tower selection 
* Designed to temporary bypass substation II (North) using 400kV lines as 220kV line for connection to power grid

220kV O/H for Dept. of Transportation/HV Power Grid, Armenia, 2021-22
* Reviewed 22OkV O/H Line re-routing design. Made recommendations
 
220kV O/H Design for HV Power Grid, Armenia, 2020-22
* Reviewed 220kV “Musaler” O/H re-routing design with In/Out scheme to 220kV substation

254MW Thermal Power Plant (TPP) Connection to 220kV Grid for HV Power Grid /RENCO, Armenia, 2020-21
* Reviewed design 22OkV O/H Line to connect TPPs substations

    

SNC LAVALIN, TORONTO, CANADA        Oct 2017 - present

SENIOR ELECTRICAL ENGINEER 
* Reviewed engineering packages, drawings, studies, and made recommendations

Project Participation:

Cathode Lining/Delining Facility Reconstruction for Rio Tinto, Kitimat, British Columbia, Canada 2017-19
* Prepared, Revised and Reviewed Engineering packages as per client project requirements
- Prepared 600V Load List, Cable Schedule, Prefab E-house datasheets for bidding 600V Switchboard/VFD

* Design, routing existing double circuit 220kV line (between two generating stations) by creating run-in/out to redesigned another generating station
- Supported of reviewing design and made recommendations

Gas Power Plant (GPP) (Paroo Station) Feasibility Study for InCoR PLC, Wiluna, Australia 2018
* Bid package review to purchase 15.5MW,11kV (total of) gas fired units for GPP for Lead Concentrate Plant
- Supported of reviewing study, drawings, specs and datasheets. Made recommendations

Idaho Cobalt Processing Facility Feasibility Study for Formation Metals, Pocatella Region, Idaho, USA 2018
* Prepared Engineering deliverables as per project Design Criteria
- Prepared 480V Electrical Load List, MCC Schedule. Prepared single line and E-room layout diagrams

Phosphate Handling Circuit Studies and Design for OCP/Phosboucraa, Laayoune, Morocco, 2018
* Bid package preparation for seven conveyers
- Prepared SLD, load List, scope of work, deliverables and man hour estimate

Reconstruction of Sulphur Production Facility for Norilsk Nickel PJSC, Krsanoyarsk Krai, Russia 2017-18
* Reviewed engineering packages as per GOST and IEC standards
- Reviewed Electrical drawings. Prepared overall material list. Prepared protection and control philosophy

AMEC FOSTER WHEELER, OAKVILLE, CANADA        May 2012 - Dec 2016

SENIOR ELECTRICAL ENGINEER 
* Designed HV electrical systems from conceptual to detailed stages 
* Conducted and reviewed power studies. Coordinated design cross discipline work
* Led team of engineers and draftspersons

Project Participation:

Dunnville Transmission Station Refurbishment for Hydro One (Black & McDonald), Ontario, Canada, 2015
* Led team to design 115/27.6kV DESN substation 
- Checked and approved SLD, layout, elevation, HV and MV bus details, grounding, conduit, AC/DC station service sizing, cable/conduit schedules, lighting and lightening drawings
- Prepared and reviewed project design criteria, protection philosophy, studies: Relay protection/CT ratio sizing (115kV lines, power transformers, 27.6kV bus/feeders), arc flash study, rigid bus, and grounding
- Reviewed vendor packages to purchase equipment. Supported field activities. Participated in meetings

Adelaide Wind Project for Suncor Renewable, Ontario, Canada, 2014
* Participated in witness testing for 30/40/50MVA, 122/34.5kV power transformer at Pennsylvania Transformer plant (PA, USA) 

K2 270MW Wind Project for Samsung Renewable/Pattern Ontario Wind/Capital Power, Ontario, Canada, 2014
* Supervised engineers and drafters to design 500/230/34.5kV and 230/34.5kV substations 
- Developed SLD, P&C (500kV & 230kV lines, power transformers, 34.5kV bus/feeders), and layout drawings 
- Prepared equipment datasheets to purchase HV equipment
- Supported procurement and reviewed vendor drawings

Adelaide 40MW and Cedar Point II 100MW Wind Projects for Suncor Renewable, Ontario, Canada, 2013-14
* Supervised engineers and drafters to design 115/34.5kV substation  
- Developed SLD, P&C (O/H lines, power transformers, 34.5kV bus/feeders), layouts AC/DC schematics
- Prepared complete specifications and datasheets to purchase major equipment
- Supported procurement and reviewed vendor drawings

Lake Alfred 300MW Wind Project for Enbridge, Quebec, Canada, 2012-14
* Supported ownerís engineer duties task
-  Reviewed design, studies, construction reports and make recommendations

Greenwich Lake 98.9MW and Massif du Sud 150MW Wind Projects for Enbridge, ON and QC, Canada, 2012
* Conducted technical due diligence report 
- Reviewed design, studies, specifications, construction, site inspection, and make recommendations

230kV Transmission Station Project for Hydro One, Ontario, Canada, 2012
* Supervised team to design 230/27.6kV DESN substation for bid proposal
- Developed SLD, P&C, layout/elevations diagrams for two 230/28/28kV power transformers, 28kV double-bus, double-breaker with tie-switch rigid (tubular) bus system, 16 outgoing 28kV O/H feeders, capbanks

Erieau Wind Project for International Power/GDF Suez, Ontario, Canada 2012
* Participated in witness testing for 66/88/110MVA, 240/34.5kV power transformer at GE Prolec plant (Monterrey, Mexico) 

Proposal Projects:

* Participated in bid proposal (core of proposal team)
- Prepared SLD, layout, BOM, datasheets, prepared estimates. Reviewed vendor quotes/selected equipment
 

STANTEC, TORONTO/KITCHENER, CANADA    August 2010 - April 2012

SENIOR ELECTRICAL ENGINEER 
* Led engineers and draftspersons
* Designed SLD, P&C, equipment layout/elevations diagrams for distributed generating (DG) facilities
* Developed P&C philosophy and modeled DG for system studies interconnection with IESO/Hydro One 
* Facilitated project management for work breakdown, man hour estimates, cost, equipment estimates
* Coordinated work with local power authorities, clients and contractors

Project Participation:

Port Dover Nanticoke 104.4MW Wind Project for Capital Power & Graham Infrastructure, Ontario, Canada 2012
* Led engineers and drafters for 230/34.5kV substation detailed design
- Checked and approved SLD, layout, elevation, HV and MV bus detail, grounding, conduit, cable/conduit schedules, AC/DC distribution, lighting and lightening drawings
- Prepared specifications, datasheets for equipment, equipment sizing
- Supported client to purchase equipment. Reviewed vendor drawings

Grand Renewable Energy Park 140MW Wind and 100MW Solar Projects for Samsung Renewable Energy, Ontario, Canada 2010-12
* Participated in proposal bid by estimating 230/34.5kV collector substation and 230kV interconnection station 
- Prepared SLD, P&C/SCADA, switchyard layout, BOM, equipment datasheets for RFQs

BANTREL, TORONTO, CANADA    January 2008 - February 2010

SENIOR ELECTRICAL ENGINEER 
* Reviewed design briefs, drawings, specifications, and datasheets
* Completed engineering deliverables plan and man hours against proposal targets
* Supported material requisition and bid evaluation. Reviewed selections of equipment
* Supervised young engineers and drafters

Project Participation:

Surmont 2 SAGD Oil Sand Project for Conoco Philips, Alberta, Canada 2008
* Participated in oil sand detailed design expansion project
- Designed 240/72/25kV substation design layout and SLD
- Designed 72kV and 25kV O/H pole structure design and routing
- Prepared MTO, budgetary quotes, and evaluation

Horizon Refinery Project for Petro-Canada, Montreal, Canada 2008
* Participated in oil refinery refurbishment project 
- Supported design team to review and check drawings in order to complete specification and datasheets
- Supported procurement team for tendering equipment. Bid evaluation and equipment selection 
- Reviewed vendor drawings

SNC-LAVALIN, TORONTO, CANADA    August 2007 - January 2008

ELECTRICAL ENGINEER 
* Designed SLD, P&C (MV/LV feeder/motor protection), AC/DC schematics, substation layout
* Calculated short circuit, load flow, large motor start-up for distribution network
* Prepared data sheets and selected equipment 

Project Participation:

Kabanga Nickel Project for Xtrata, Tanzania & Canada 2007
* Participate in pre/feasibility study and design for Kabanga Nickel process plant and 220/11kV substation,†Dar Es Salaam port terminal, Quebec City port terminal, and Sudbury process plant 
- Designed SLD and basic calculations for equipment selection: prepared MCC schedule and load list 

SHAW STONE & WEBSTER CANADA, TORONTO, CANADA    July 2006 - July 2007

ELECTRICAL ENGINEER 
* Prepared SLD/3-line diagrams, AC/DC schematics, logic diagrams
* Conducted studies: short circuit calculation, load flow, power factor correction   
* Completed material requisition and equipment datasheets; prepared bid evaluations and vendor selection
* Interfaced with other discipline engineers, clientís representative, vendors

Project Participation:

Butene/BTX Plant Project for SABIC, Saudi Arabia 2006-07
* Participated in chemical plant detailed design
- Conducted system studies (short circuit calculation, power flow analysis, lightning protection) and reports
- Prepared material requisitions/datasheets for 25kV, 4.16kV, 480V equipment: power/specialty transformers, SWGR/MCC, bus ducts, motors, and other associated equipment to use in EEx nA IIC T3 (Class I, Division 1&2, Group B&D) hazardous area classification and harsh environmental conditions (50∫C temperature, very corrosive, blowing sand)

ESSA TS 500/230kV for Hydro One, Ontario, Canada 2006
* Participated in substation upgrade
- Updated design by replacing old surge arresters to new metal oxide 500kV ones as per HONI nomenclature 
- Prepared layout drawings and bill of material

London Clarke TS 230/27.6kV for Hydro One, Ontario, Canada 2006
* Participated in project upgrade of 600V automatic transfer switch
- Prepared panel layout, specification, cable trench/conduit re-routing

Auburn Generating Center for EPCOR, Ontario, Canada 2006
* Participated in project proposal for 6 x 100MW GE gas fired turbine project
- Designed SLD and substation layout for 230kV four position Ring Bus system (SF6 dead tank), 230/13.8kV power transformers, 4.16kV SWGR, and 480V MCC

SESCO Electric, TORONTO, CANADA    September 2004 - July 2006

PROJECT ENGINEERING/SUPPORT
* Provided technical support to establish the most functional and efficient design
* Selected components and equipment based on analysis of specifications 

ARMENERGO Power, YEREVAN, ARMENIA        July 1991 - September 2001

LEAD ELECTRICAL ENGINEER/PROJECT ENGINEER 
* Participated in on-site commissioning and testing equipment at power plant and substations; HV equipment (switchyard): power/instrument/specialty transformers, reactors, stand alone dead/live tank oil/vacuum/SF6 breakers, switchgear outdoor/indoor, disconnect switches, MV/LV induction motors; P&C/SCADA/ equipment
* Oversaw installation, commissioning, and testing
* Supervised engineers and electricians

Project Participation:

220kV substation upgrade 1998-2000 (Armenia & Iran power system interconnection)

Hydroelectric Station Project, 2x 1.5MW Units 1997 (project extension)

Utility grade 220/110/35kV substation upgrade 1991-2001 (multiple projects for utilities and water authorities)
 
6kV VFDs integration to pump control for 200MW units at thermal power plant 1993-94  (brown field project)

Large boiler-house, 1991-1992 (greenfield project built in earthquake zone)


EDUCATION    

INDIANA UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA, INDIANA, PENNSYLVANIA, USA     May 2003
M.S. in Physics GPA 3.4/4.0

NATIONAL POLYTECHNIC UNIVERSITY OF ARMENIA, YEREVAN, ARMENIA     July 1991
B.S. in Electrical Engineering, Power Systems and Networks GPA 3.65/4.0
Research Topic: "Phase Regulation to Increase Static Stability of Power Systems"


PROFESSIONAL DESIGNATION, MEMBERSHIP, CREDENTIALS, AND AWARD    

* Member of PEO Association holding Professional Engineer license (P.Eng.) and IEEE, Power & Energy Society  
* All academic credentials have been evaluated by the Comparative Education Service of the University of Toronto and recognized in academic level to degrees from a Canadian university
* Award for remarkable professional achievements, ARMENERGO Power, Yerevan, Armenia, 1998


TRAINING PROGRAMS    

* ABB Power Transformer and HV Equipment Seminars, Toronto, Canada 2013, 2014
* SEL Golden Horseshoe Relay Conferences, Niagara Falls, Canada 2012, 2014
* GE Multilin Relay Conference, Niagara Falls, Canada 2008


LANGUAGES      

Fluent in English, Russian and Armenian

            
       

References furnished upon request

Company
SNC LAVALIN
Job title
Electrical Engineer
Date Joined
08/27/2023