Ohmsett Facility

The Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement (BSEE), Department of the Interior, selected SJH to provide professional engineering services to oversee the design and construction of projects at the National Oil Spill Response Research and Renewable Energy Test Facility (Ohmsett) in Leonardo, New Jersey. Ohmsett was constructed in 1974, housing the largest salt water test tank in North America. During Tropical Storm Sandy, Ohmsett buildings and other structures were either destroyed or sustained damage from storm surge and wind. Estimates to return Ohmsett to pre-Sandy operation conditions are $4 million. After the storm, Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) raised the flood elevations, so existing facilities and new structures will need to be raised above this updated elevation.

Preliminary Design Concept of a Future Vertical Test Tank. SJH provided a design-build RFP for the installation of a new vertical tank for Subsea Dispersant Testing in full compliance with regulatory requirements. The new 40-45 foot tall stainless steel tank’s housing will feature a containment system to minimize corrosion due to the close proximity of the Atlantic Ocean, view ports, stairs, cranes, and other equipment. The existing adjacent ‘Lake Zelman’ containment area can be incorporated into the proposed containment system. A key component of the task involved relocating a Jersey Central Power and Light (JCP&L) substation to accommodate the new tank.[Text Box]Shape Several concepts were developed to relocate the substation and route new cables. We estimated peak electrical load usage and demand for the new substation based on Ohmsett’s needs. We provided the load calculation to JCP&L for evaluation. The $182,000 estimate from JCP&L included a service upgrade from 450 kw to 700 kw, installation of a new electrical transformer above flood level for improved reliability, and modifications to the existing transmission line to provide clearances for a new underbuilt 12.5 kv distribution line. Additionally, soil borings are required to evaluate the bearing capacity of the soil at the site. Designs follow Navy Standards and Mil specs. The new facility will comply with energy conservation goals set for Federal Buildings. SJH conducted numerous coordination meetings with contractor, API members and other Subject Matter Experts to develop the scope.

Master Plan. A second concurrent project involved the development of a Master Plan for the Ohmsett site. SJH identified present and future reconstruction/upgrade needs at the base. The existing access roads are not optimally laid out and are in poor condition. As part of the Master Plan, we met with the contractor and BSEE staff to develop a detailed Site Plan along with building reconstruction. Any landscape improvements shall be contained within the current area of disturbance and cannot encroach into the adjacent wetlands.