CIGRE- Session 2010

Papers on B3 - Substations
 Preferential Subjects

Number of Papers

PS1 New techniques /new design of Substations 5

PS2 Existing substation , new challenges 14

PS3 New secondary system challenges in substations 6
Total Number of papers 25
 Preferential Subject (PS) - 1

Papers on New techniques /New

design of Substations
 B3-101-2010
Development of an 800 kV HVDC station post
design based on long term experience with
composite line post insulators

PFISTERER HOLDING, Germany

PFISTERER SEFAG AG, Switzerland
SIEMENS AG, Germany
 Paper B-3-101 describes
The innovative development of post insulator design for 800
kV HVDC station .
Since Up-scaling of existing product to meet the requirement
of 800 kV DC was technically not feasible , the development
of new design of composite insulator was taken up with the
initial main objectives being to use well developed technology,
proven over many years in transmission network

10 meters long prototype design with intermediate rigid

plate has been developed using composite solid core
insulators with housing made of high temperature vulcanizing
silicon rubber
 Advantages
No need for internal filler material , no macroscopic
internal interface , no risk of moisture ingress

High cantilever strength and low deflection

Low weight and low transportation cost because of

individual leg insulators
 For discussion
What is the experience of Indian utilities on the
performance of composite bus post insulator at 400
kV and above voltage level?

What about the long term behavior of such 800 kV DC

insulator ? What is the impact of hydrophobic
property and pollution?

How is uniformity of the potential gradient

achieved across each stack of post insulator ?
 Paper B3-102-2010

1200 kV AC products and substations ;

requirements . design and performance
experience

Siemens, Germany
Siemens, India
Paper 102 focuses on overall system concepts and
updates selected topics regarding 800 kV DC / 1200
kV AC substation arrangements . design and first
performance experiences of the Surge arresters ,
Disconnectors, Circuit breakers and Instrument
transformers .
 For discussion
In the absence of specification for 1200kV system, how
will India specify various parameters?
How the Testing of main components at site is
taken care of at the planning stage ? What are the
test facilities required during commissioning ?
For 1200 kV system , Rated switching Impulse
withstand voltage is 1800 kV , what are special
measures required to control switching impulse
voltage during charging of open circuited line ?
Paper B3-103-2010

Optimized gas insulated lines for bulk power

transmission

AREVA T&D, France

Paper B3- 104 -2010

Pilot Installation of a 380 kV directly buried
gas insulated line
Amprion GmbH, Germany
Siemens , Germany
The Papers 103 and 104 deal
with
The design, development and operational experience
of Gas Insulated line .
The use of Gas insulated line has proved to be a
reliable option to EHV cables .
The operating experience of 30 years shows the
distinct advantages namely high current carrying
capacity, low losses , low charging capacity .
It is an advanced technological answer to
demanding criteria of safety , high service continuity
and environmental efficiency .
For discussion

What is the operational experience in respect of downtime

of the GIL and duration to restore to normalcy in India and
abroad ?

What are the on line monitoring system and failure

detection methods applied for buried GIL?
Do we need cathodic protection of the GIL
installation , particularly underground circuits?
How interference of stray currents due to
adjacent utility is addressed in design ?
Can we lay GIL in trefoil configuration ?
What are the measures to be adopted during
design and implementation stage?

For directly buried GIL , how do the soil

salinity /thermal conductivity and other
properties impact the design of enclosure ?
 B3 -105
Megacity underground substation technical
requirements
and implementation experiences

Chubu Electric Power Co. , Japan

Tokyo Electric Power Co. , Japan
Kansai Electric Power Co. , Japan
Toshiba Corp. , Japan
Mitsubishi Electric Corp., Japan
Japan AE Power Systems Corp., Japan
This paper describes the design considerations in planning
and implementation of EHV underground substation in
megacity , Tokyo
The highest priority in design are safety measures against
natural calamities like earthquake , minimizing the impact
to environment by incorporating special measures like any
vibration pads, reduction in audible noise level, EMF
compatibility .
Measures for Handling of large capacitance due to cable
and GIS.
Non conventional design of equipment component
keeping in view the site constraints, transport limitation,
 Discussion
How do we address the sub-soil water and
flooding while designing underground
substations in megacities in India?

In view on non-availability of space for new stations

the need for underground substations in India will
increase in near future and suitable specifications
( Civil, Fire fighting, Noise, EMI, Vibration etc) will
need to be developed.
 PS2 Existing Substations, new challenges

Paper B3-201-2010

Issues embedding series compensation in

Chilean Central Interconnected System (SIC )

Transelec S. A,
Chile
This papers highlights the various issues of
design , operational and protection related to
introduction of series compensation in EHV lines
in Chilean transmission company

Increase in transmission capacity of 500 kV

System from 900 MW to 1400 MW , permitting
interconnection of Ralco Hydro plant with Central
Interconnected system
The overall system topography in terms
location of generating stations and load center
plays a vital role in deciding the location of
compensation .

Extensive study carried out on Static

Short circuit , dynamic performance of the
System and validating relay modeling for the
protection of the lines with series
compensation
For Discussion

How the performance of series Compensated lines in the

country has been reviewed in line with the augmentation of
generation and transmission network in India ?

What is the experience of Indian utilities in respect of a)

protection performance of the line b) Failure rate of
components in series compensation Installation ?

What is future scope of application of Series compensation in

existing critically loaded lines, till further strengthening of
transmission network is achieved?
 Paper B3- 202 -2010

Management of current and voltage

limits in RTE’s substations

RTE (France)
This paper describes the experience of French utility RTE
in managing the system parameters limits mainly by
focusing on three areas i.e. ampacity , short circuit capacity and
voltage limits.

Use of High Temperature Low Sag Conductors (HTLS) for

enhancing transmission capacity on 400 kV lines

Managing the short circuit capability of stations by confirming

the mechanical strength of switchyard structures and margin
availability for handling additional forces

Replacing the weak link / switchgear in the station

Discussion
How Indian utilities are preparing themselves for
addressing the issues of overloading of lines,
inadequacy of transformation capacity , increase in short
circuit currents while expansion plans are
implementation ?
Do we need to capture potential operational constraints
of various utilities in India ? This will enable planning of
remedial measures .
How is the planning systematized considering the
Technical aspects and Organisational approach based on
the RTE experience ?
 Paper B3-203-2010

New Selection and separation system for a very fast

recovery into service of a 380 kV Italian aerial-
cable line

Terena S.p.A, Italy

This paper describes ….
Experience of Italian utility regarding installation
and commissioning of 380 kV cable circuits

Protection schemes with differential protection with

built-in distance measure function , distance protection
with accelerated under-reach, automated isolation of
faulty cable and reclosure of healthy cable to ensure
reliability of supply.
 Paper B3-204-2010

Application of technologies for up-rating

and upgrading of substations in Japan

Chubu Electric Power Co. , Japan

Tokyo Electric Power Co. , Japan
Kansai Electric Power Co. , Japan
Toshiba Corp. , Japan
Mitsubishi Electric Corp., Japan
Japan AE Power Systems Corp., Japan
Paper presents practical application examples in Japan
highlighting the case study - increasing short circuit capacity
from 50 kA to 63 kA

It was achieved by replacing under rated breaker,

replacement of current carrying parts of isolators ,
replacement of insulator for seismic reinforcement
re-inforcement of transformer tank for withstanding
higher short circuit force on the winding. Reinforcement of
strung bus by additional spacers and replacement of surge
arresters with ones suitable for 63 kA
Discussions

In context of Indian Utilities , what options could

be adopted while planning the up-rating of switching
stations based on the Japanese experience
presented in this paper?

How the margins in the existing system are utilised

for upgrading the performance of switch yard
equipment to next higher level ?
 Paper B3- 205-2010

Environmental analysis of different

technologies for a Swiss high-voltage
substation

AXPO AG, Baden Switzerland

AREVA T&D AG, Oberentfelden Switzerland
AREVA T&D SA, Villeurbanne France
 For Discussion
How do Indian utilities address the environment related
issues with a focus on reduction of carbon foot prints ?

How are the criteria for eco-friendly design features

weighed against the cost factor considering long term
benefits related to eco-balance?
 B3-206-2010
Experimental Investigations to the joint
resistance of bolted substation and
transmission line connectors and its conformity
to test standards

SubCon, Austria
TU Dresden, Germany
Kleveborn Consultants, Sweden
Svenska Kraftnät ,Sweden
 The Paper summarizes ..
the experimental investigations on joint resistance and
current distribution of straight connectors

Selection of clamps play a major role in deciding the

safe life –years of a joint , which impacts the reliability
of power flow.

Compared to clamps with two covers, the safe life-

years are double for clamps with three covers and
almost three times for the clamps with four covers
,also there is a significant saving in heat loss.
B3- 207 -2010
Evaluation of old substations
porcelain insulators in service ; input
for risk assessment and replacement
options

STRI, Sweden
SvK, Sweden
Hafslund Nett, Norway
Statnett Norway
Paper deals with…
Techniques of evaluation of condition of
old porcelain insulators in service
since sixties- seventies and how the
results are used in risk assessment
analysis and optimal replacement
options
 For Discussion
How do Indian Utilities conduct the performance
evaluation of porcelain insulators in service
since 60s -70s , particularly with reference to the
impact of extreme climatic conditions and
temperature - variation cycle?

What are the criteria followed for optimizing

solution of replacement of insulators?
 B3-209-2010
Real time system for detection and
location of partial discharges in
substations

TRANSENER SA,
ARGENTINA
This paper ..
Describes development and performance prototype
equipment for real time measurement of partial discharges
in substations.

During 14 years of service , it has helped detect number of

abnormalities, enabling corrective actions .

The highlighted examples are detection of defective

gradient capacitors for circuit breakers, defects in the
operation of circuit breakers, Failures in Capacitive voltage
transformers and failures in disconnectors.
Discussion…

What are the on line PD detection techniques deployed

by Indian Utilities?

How are the results of such measurements utilised for

taking preventive action ?
 Paper B3- 210-2010

Thermal resistant aluminum –alloy conductor ; an

alternative for bus up-rating of substations

Chesf – Companhia Hidro Elétrica do São Francisco,

BRAZIL
This paper deals with

The use of thermo resistant aluminum alloy

conductor , which is technically and
economically viable alternative to optimise the
busbars in place and required to be uprated .

All aspects that must be considered for up -

rating and optimisation of bus design in
substations through the use of thermo resistant
aluminum alloy conductor have been
presented .
 Discussion

How utilities in India focus on the solution for

up-rating lines and bus-bars to meet the
additional load using existing infra-structure?
B3-211-2010
Planning for continuity of reliable power
supply to Mumbai Megacity

Siemens Ltd., India

The Tata Power Company Ltd., India
This paper describes …

Integrated approach followed by Tata Power

Company for reliable and continuous power
supply to mega-city of Mumbai .

It highlights the defense plan based on dynamic

load management, asset –management based on
the condition monitoring and adoption of new
technologies for innovative solutions to meet
load growth using existing infra structure.
Discussion ..
What are the new maintenance approaches for asset
management strategies considered by Indian utilities ?

How other utilities in other mega cities in India

address the issues like load growth, asset
management and space restriction for expansion ?
Paper B3- 212-2010

Performance evaluation of insulator

creepage extender at heavy magnetite
polluted 230 kV substation

Niroo Research Institute – K.S.Co., Iran

Discussion
This paper describes solution developed
for improving the performance of insulators
in heavy magnetite polluted 230 kV
substation by use of creepage extender.
 For discussion

Do other utilities have experiences with this or

other similar solution? Are there
experiences about long term behavior
influenced ageing of this solution ?
Paper B3 -213-2010

Upgrading of the short circuit power of a

380 kV substation : problems to cope
and possible solutions in a unified context

(TERNA S.p.A.), ITALY

(CESI S.p.A.), ITALY
 This paper
Gives a view on development of transmission
network with regard to substation up rating up
to 63 kA level and
up- grading in a context of “unified “ assets
where the major existing design criteria should
be kept as much as possible .
Preconditions of existing substation equipment
must be considered as well as economical
consequences of the solutions.
For discussion…
Does there exist a cost comparison of up-rating vs.
new equipment ?

Is up-rating the optimum approach in regard to

the life cycle cost ? What happens to all the other
components of the substation?

Are there similar solutions?

PS3 New Secondary system challenges in
substations
Paper B3- 301-2010

“Smart switchgear’’ using IEC Standard 61850

First experience gained with a pilot project in a 380/110
kV substation

Amprion , Maschinenfabrik Reinhausen, A.Eberle ,

Siemens , Hesotech , SCC , Areva ( Germany)

Omicron ( Austria)

Interoptix (USA)
This paper

Summarizes the experiences with an application of IEC 61850

In a substation a 380 kV/ 110 kV Power transformer and

related bays equipped with new process bus technology

New process bus was set up in parallel with existing process

bus.
• Prototype devices from 8 different manufacturers were
used to test the functionality of new process bus as well
as to gather general experience on interoperability
according to IEC 61850.

Conventional instrument transformers using the 100v /1A

interface were used to communicate over a merging unit

Amplitude accuracy , rapid data transfer , transmitting

sequence and sampling synchronicity are of major
importance for processing measured values from various
merging units.
For discussion ..

Is this amount of data necessary and can it still be

handled e.g. in case of emergency ? Is a human
decision still accepted ?

What are the consequences of regular software

updates or replacement of components ? What
are the final economical benefits ?
B3-302-2010

Intelligent Compact substation of power

distribution

Electrotechnology R&D Center,

LS Industrial Systems,
Korea
 Paper B3- 303-2010

A Practical Approach to verification and

maintenance procedures for IEC 61850 substations

STRI AB , Sweden
Fingrid Oyj, Finland
Svenska Kraftnat, Sweden
Paper B3-302

Describes an environmental friendly and intelligent substation

of power distribution ie. compact substation (CS)

The CS is composed of four main parts - Ring Main unit ,

vegetable oil transformer , Low voltage panel (ACB +MCCB)
and communication and control unit., With multiple sensors (PD,
Hall, Fire Alarm ,Inundation , Pressure , Gas density.)
Paper 303 is also addressing IEC 61850 , but
the focus is more on the maintenance and test
procedures .
In practice , few of the available test , simulation
and blocking indications have been consistently
implemented in the first generation of IEC
61850 devices. It is , therefore , necessary to
move to a more interoperable but not
standardized approach as described in the
paper.
Discussion

Which Improvements are recommended according

to the experiences until now?

What are the requirements for a new issue of IEC

61850?
Paper B3-304-2010

Case study : Implementation of IEC 61850 in

Java - Bali transmission system

PT PLN (Persero)
Indonesia
Paper B3-304-2010 highlights

The experience of Indonesian Power utility (PLN) . Especially

Java-Bali Transmission and Load Dispatch Center Unit (PLN
P3B JB) in implementing substation automation in 18
substations with different manufacturer products.
 The main issues are
• implementation of new substation is not in full
automation
• Sub station automation communication problem to
existing control centers , which are still using
proprietary protocol (HNZ)
• Telecommunication Infrastructure using old terminal
equipment (since 1990)
• To achieve cost saving by automation , actions have
been taken up to mitigate the limitations
 Paper B3-305-2010
Innovative Revenue Metering with existing Instrument
transformers to enable new metering challenges

Locamation, TenneT TSO, VSL Dutch Metrology Institute

Netherlands
 This paper
Describes the consequences on the secondary equipment
not only when applying IEC 61850 but also in consequence
of deregulation .

Organizational changes in the transmission grid introduced

new transaction points between network operators . At these
points the existing current transformers mainly have
protection and operational measurement cores and in most
cases no voltage transformers are installed at these
connections. The additional requirement of revenue
metering would involve significant cost and reduce
reliability during retrofit period of current transformers
This paper presents investigation of an alternative for a
complete retrofit using corrections for existing instrument
transformers in combination with intelligent metering
system.

The approach involves intelligent voltage and current

sensor system with software based correction
capabilities .
 Discussion

Are there other examples of adoption of substation

automation triggered by the deregulation ?

How do other utilities solve these problems?

What are the experiences with live-line work?

 Paper B3-306-2010
Impact of the IEC 61850 process bus on
substation design

OMICRON Electronics
USA
 This paper describes
Use of station bus for communication at the station and bay
levels as well as the process bus for communication between
the high voltage process and components interacting with it.

Analyzes the main functional modules in a conventional

microprocessor relay and compares it with implementation of
protection functions in IEC 61850 based system with
distributed analog values.

It also highlights how design of communication architecture

impacts the reliability of performance of the substation
automation and control system.
 For discussion
Are there other substation automation
approaches which can be taken as standard for
other utilities ? Is an overall automation
standard in general possible ?

Is it considering smart grid interoperability

standards roadmap?
Thanks