7 / 2019-11-15 22:08:05

Substation modernization –coordination between Transmission and Distribution lines

Grid, transmission, substation, distribution, design, construction, 138 kV, 13.2 kV, peak demand, configuration

Grid modernization is becoming very crucial for the utility industry to adopt the generation from photovoltaic solar panels, natural gas, and coal fired units and/or, any combination of these. The understanding of future load growth, capability of the existing transmission and distribution infrastructure need to be realized before designing a modern substation. In this paper, we present the design and construction of a substation in a city center area. Along with the economic aspects, risk factors of different bus configurations to accommodate the existing transmission and distribution facilities for the substation design were considered. The substation system comprises of 138 kV transmission and 13.2 kV distribution networks. Modeling and design data were compared with the after-construction data obtained in a peak demand time. Real-world data shows that carefully coordinated transmission and distribution operations planning is very significant to design and construct a substation. The breaker and a half configuration for the transmission network and ring configuration topology for the distribution network provided maximum redundancy for the substation design. This ensures proper coordination between the transmission and distribution systems for optimal power flow frameworks.