EnergyNewswatch

Introduction to Substation Design
and
Cost Estimating Methodologies for Substation and Transmission Projects

Live Streaming Online April 13-14, 2023

An EUCI Program

Click Here to register $2390 (each course $1195)

If you are unable to attend at the scheduled date and time, we make recordings available to all registrants for three business days after the event

 

Introduction to Substation Design

Transmission to distribution substation designs vary in complexity, proportional to their rating (MVA) and application. A variety of engineering disciplines are involved including civil, mechanical, electrical power and communications. Design philosophies are influenced by a utility’s contingency strategy, space limitations, aesthetic requirements, work rules, maintenance practices, and other factors.

This course will provide an overview of design methods with given specifications and a one-line diagram for a typical T to D substation. Discussion concerning substation device options provide attendees with the information to make intelligent choices regarding design features. The class creates a forum for comparing best practices for substation design, maintenance, and the operation of these facilities.

Learning Outcomes   

A comprehensive introduction to the following substation components will be discussed:

  • Review the various types of substations
  • List substation reliability/redundancy considerations
  • Review substation specifications and one-line diagrams
  • Review site selection criteria and components
  • Determine the keys to initial substation layouts  
  • Get an overview on civil engineering considerations including: concrete foundations, steel structures, and liquid containment
  • Review substation components and ratings including: power transformers, voltage regulators, voltage regulating controls, overcurrent protective devices of fuses and circuit breakers, overvoltage protection  
  • List the purposes, uses for and types of protection & control
  • Get introduced to metal enclosed substations
  • Get introduced to modular substations

Agenda

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 12, 2023

1:00 – 5:00 p.m. Central Time

Course Overview – Welcome, Introductions & Course Scope

  • Types of Substations
    • Course focus on transmission to distribution open frame bus work substations
  • Substation Reliability/Redundancy Considerations
    • Alternative power source for served load
      • Robustness of distribution feeders
      • Redundancy within the substation
  • Review of Substation Specifications
    • One-line diagram

Site Selection

  • Meets the Estimated Required Area
  • Access to Transmission Line
  • Access to Transportation
    • Roads, railroad, barge, etc.
  • Elevation – Proximity to Flood Plane
  • Proximity to Ocean (Salt Water)
  • Soil Conditions

Initial Substation Layout

  • Determine Entry (Primary) and Exits (Secondary)
    • Handling power line congestion
      • Overhead vs. underground
  • Required Clearances Within Substations
    • Per NESC 2017 Sections 10 -19
  • Space Requirements (Vertical/Horizontal)
    • Substation devices (transformers, breakers, etc.)
    • Operation of heavy lifting equipment

Civil Engineering Considerations

  • Concrete Foundations for Substation Devices
  • Steel Structures Supporting:
    • Bus work
    • Miscellaneous devices (PTs, CTs, Disconnect Switches, Surge Arresters, etc.)
  • Liquid Containment

THURSDAY, APRIL 13, 2023

9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Central Time

Substation Components and Rating

  • Power Transformer (3) Design Considerations                                             
    • Rating (ONAN, ONAF……)
    • With/without load tap changer
    • Winding configurations
    • Dielectric fluids
  • Voltage Regulators
    • Bus vs. discreet feeder regulation
    • Voltage regulator ratings
  • Voltage Regulating Controls for LTC & VRs
    • Settings & features
  • Overcurrent Protective Devices
    • Fuses
      • Power fuses
      • Current limiting fuses
    • Power circuit breakers
      • Design considerations:
        • Interrupting medium
          • Oil, air, SF6, vacuum
        • Dielectric medium
          • Oil, air, SF6, solid dielectric
        • Driving mechanisms
          • Hydraulic
          • Motor operators
          • Magnetic actuators
        • Maintenance requirements
    • Automatic circuit reclosers
    • Ratings
  • Overvoltage Protection  
    • Coordination of arresters w/equipment insulation ratings
    • Station & heavy-duty class arresters

Protection & Control                                                                                                    

  • Station Power
    • Aux power
      • Station batteries vs. control cabinet batteries
  • Sensors
    • PTs and CTs
  • Metering
    • Protective relay
      • Overcurrent protection (phase & ground)
    • Differential relaying
      • Transformer
      • Substation
  • Remote/Supervisory Control
    • Communication protocols within intelligent devices
    • Gateway computers
  • Control Houses

Intro to Metal Enclosed Substation

  • Where Space is at a Premium
    • No exposed bus work
    • Rack out breakers

Intro to Modular Substations

  • Small KVA Requirements
  • Delivered as a Complete Unit 

Cost Estimating Methodologies for Substation and Transmission Projects

In order to effectively utilize allocated and dedicated funding for new utility projects, it is critical for utilities, developers, sub-contractors, project managers, and suppliers to fully understand efficient utility project cost estimation, as this new infrastructure has substantial costs and risks associated with each project.

Attendees will leave this program with a better understanding of the following:

  • How to improve electricity delivery, increase capacities, improve reliability, and meet new standards
  • Critical components to consider in a transmission project estimate
  • Factors that impact the final cost of building, including permitting and siting, materials and engineering, construction, and project management
  • Elements of substation scope, costs, schedule, and feasibility
  • Elements of transmission scope, costs, schedule, and feasibility  

Learning Outcomes:

  1. Discuss utility project planning process and budget considerations utilizing industry samples of typical industry projects
  2. Discuss the environmental and siting processes and the impact on schedules and costs
  3. Analyze engineering, material cost, and construction considerations for transmission lines and substations
  4. Compare and contrast contracting methods to include design-bid-build vs. OE/EPC
  5. Identify strategies to mitigate risks across the spectrum of project types and sizes

Agenda

THURSDAY, APRIL 13, 2023

9:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Central Time

Introduction

  • Course logistics/breaks/intro of attendees
  • Course overview
  • Safety message
  • Basic project management overview: scope/costs/schedule/risks
  • Current industry concerns:
    • Supply chain issues
    • Physical security of assets
  • Substations
  • Overhead transmission
  • Underground transmission

Substation Cost Estimating

  • The cost estimating process
    • Determining scope
    • Feasibility study/project justification: contents and purpose
    • Substation considerations: size/location/costs/power in-out
    • Step-by-step approach to design-procure-build
    • Timeline from concept to operations
    • How to estimate substation costs
    • Lessons learned
  • Case study – Substation issues

Transmission Cost Estimating

  • The cost estimating process
    • Determining scope
    • Feasibility study/project justification: contents and purpose
    • Transmission considerations: size/location/costs/grid connect
    • Step-by-step approach to design-procure-build
    • Timeline from concept to operations
    • How to estimate transmission costs
    • Lessons learned
  • Overview of overhead vs. underground costs/differences/considerations
  • Case study – Transmission issues

Contracting Methods

  • The role of supply chain and procurement
  • Types of contracts
  • Terms & Conditions
  • Case study

FRIDAY, APRIL 14, 2023

9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. Central Time

Rights of Way & Environmental Compliance

Risk Management

  • Basic risk concepts
  • Why risk reviews are important
  • How to perform a risk review
  • Using the risk review to adjust schedules and budgets
  • Team risk review exercise

Closing Summary

  • Key concepts and techniques to take away
  • Flexibility in scope & design – changing conditions
  • Q&A


 

 


 


 

 

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