Silicon Valley’s a power hungry place. With new businesses seemingly popping up every day. There’s a new sports arena and an entertainment complex going up. It’s home to vast data centers. And universities. Power is critical. What’s more, should the power fail, for even a moment, it’s exceedingly costly.

So when Silicon Valley Power decided it was time to invest in a fourth substation, they knew the project demanded thinking that went beyond today. They needed a solution as innovative as the area they serve. One that could power the ever-growing Valley reliably for years to come. No small feat.

Eaton’s Omaha Power Center (OPC) proved to be the ideal partner. With an ability to think outside of the box when imagining how the new substation could take shape. But within the confines of space limitations and stringent California regulations. And with the tremendous responsibility of designing a substation to potentially serve up to 20% of the utility’s power load.

Eaton’s Omaha Power Center has a strong reputation in the utility marketplace because of the quality of its switchgear, manufacturing processes, and understanding of the needs of utilities.

First, OPC personnel got to know the design and operating practices that drive the substation’s reliability and redundancy. They then applied them in conjunction with construction methods and expertise to create switchgear that’s incredibly reliable and solid.

The technologies, quality products and thinking incorporated into the substation surpass what other manufacturers could provide. There’s the unique bussing arrangement that accommodates spacing requirements. An arc flash protection system that monitors cable and bus faults inside the switchgear. And VCP-W medium voltage vacuum circuit breakers that saved approximately $60,000 while improving quality and performance.

With Eaton, Silicon Valley Power has more than the assurance that their multi-million dollar substation investment will endure well beyond today. They’re confident in the knowledge that they’ll continue to be the power behind the power thinking the valley’s renowned for.