Comparison of 6.

6 KV System vs 11 KV System
As yours is green field plant, I would advice to go for 11kV and reasons are as below:- (1.1) Technical merits- (a) reduced fault level (b) lesser sizing for cables (as in cement plants there are considerable number of HT drives for ball mill, cement mill, crusher, etc, hence it will give you good benefit of it in cables, cable trays and accessories, erection steel, termination, etc) (c) lesser space requirement ref Panel GA of siemens and ABB hence civil requirement can also optimised. (1.2) Technical demerits-(a) motor frame size may increases to next frame, mostly (also depending on rating) (b) transformer dimensions will be higher. (2.1) economical view- now a days there is hardly any difference in 11 and 6.6 kV switchgear. Hardly 10-15% difference max. If you are ready to pay for 6.6 kV then just some premium you may have 11 kV system. But please note that, due to increased voltage level, insulation requirement is more hence, design also changes in case of transformer and motors. Cable cost also increases in some minor percentage. We may conclude that, commercially there is certainly price increase in 11kV system by about 15% overall than 6.6kV system.

3.1 Generation Voltages Generation voltages are generally limited to following levels (CBI&P Manual) :

Generation

Upto 750 kVA 751 to 2500 kVA 2501 to 5000 kVA Above 5000 kVA

Voltage Level 415 Volt 3.3 kV 6.6 kV 11.0 kV

Generally terminal voltage for large generators is 11 kV in India. The generation voltage limit of 3.3 kV may be considered for generation capacity of 2 x 750 kVA capacity with one step up transformer only, since it is not convenient to connect 7/6 runs of 3 core 630/400 Sq. mm cable to LT side of transformer. However generation voltage of 415 V is alright for generation of 2 x 500 kVA capacity with two step up transformer one for each unit. The size of the cable for connection of generator with generator circuit breaker and generator bus to transformer LT side for different rating is given below based on cable rating factor of 0.6 are given in following table:

Generation Capacity

Size of Cable Generator Connection to Generator Breaker 4 Runs of 630 Sqmm Single core cable.

Remark Generator Breaker to Transformer LT side 7 Runs of 3 core 630 Sqmm cable. It is not possible to connect 7 No. 630 Sq. mm cable

2 x 750 kVA

2 x 500 kVA

3 Runs of 400 Sqmm Single core cable

6 Runs of 3 core 400 Sqmm cable.

2 x 300 kVA

2 Run of 400 Sqmm Single core cable

4 Runs of 3 core 400 Sqmm cable.

2 x 250 kVA

2 Run of 250 Sqmm Single core cable.

4 Runs of 3 core 250 Sqmm cable.

to transformer LT side. It is not possible to connect 6 No. 400 Sq.mm cable to transformer LT side. It is convenient to connect 4 No. 400 Sq. mm cable to T/f LT side. It is convenient to connect 4 No. 250 Sq. mm cable to T/f LT side.

3.2 Transmission Voltages Selection of system voltage. The selection of highest system voltage to be used at the generating step up substation depends upon the following main consideration. Length of transmission line from generating station to receiving substation. Conductor required for voltage regulation prescribed in the law of land. Voltage level (s) available at the receiving substation and suitability of connectivity. Frequency at the generating station and receiving substation. Power System Network of the area for stability and future extension works in the vicinity of the generating station. Economic consideration as cost of equipment increases with increase of voltage therefore, unit cost of power transmitted is subject to law of diminishing return. The transformers on either side of line also counter the gain, obtained from the higher voltage. Provision of line capacitors to increase the economic limit even at lower voltage. The voltages are therefore selected with complete study of all factors. The transmission voltage is selected from empirical formulae and standard practices in the area, after making a complete study regarding initial and operating cost at various voltages with different size of conductors. The voltage is selected through following two empirical formulae. Economical Voltage V = 5.5

1.6 150 L + kVA

Where L = Length of line in Km. kVA = Power per phase required to be transmitted.