Air Insulated Compact Substations

Albano M. 1*, Haddad A. 1, Griffiths H.1, Coventry P.2

1
Cardiff University, U.K., *albanom@cf.ac.uk
2
National Grid, U.K.

Abstract - In this work, a 400kV compact substation layout is proposed adopting the lower
IEC Basic Insulation Level and Switching Impulse Level, and consequently, reduced
clearances. Simulation studies using EMTP are performed to evaluate the lightning and
switching performance of the proposed compact substation using different surge arrester
locations and ratings. Further proposals for compaction are investigated through the
introduction of innovative high voltage equipment.

SUMMARY

The increase in electricity demand and
difficulties with obtaining land for new
developments introduces the challenge of
building new compact substations with higher
voltage ratings on existing sites. The adoption
of Gas Insulated Substations (GIS) permits a
significant reduction in substation area.
However, the growing concern of climate
change makes this solution less attractive
because of the known greenhouse effect of SF6.
The aim of this research is to evaluate the
reduction in footprint of transmission
substations using air-insulated designs.
In this paper, the following options for
compaction are investigated; (i) the adoption of
minimum clearances according to IEC 60071,
taking advantage of modern overvoltage
protective devices, and (ii) the use of
innovative high voltage equipment such as the
circuit breaker disconnector and non
conventional instrument transformers.
Substation Compaction
IEC 60071 includes a range of Basic Insulation
Level (BIL) and Switching Impulse Level
(SIL) values for 400kV systems. It is possible
to adopt the lower values if ZnO surge arresters
were applied to control overvoltage levels.
Consequently, phase-to-phase and phase-to-
ground clearances can be reduced in
comparison with conventional substations used
by utilities.
In order to investigate voltage stresses that can
be experienced by substation equipment in a
conventional and compact layout, various
switching and lightning simulations were
performed using EMTP software using a
typical 400kV air insulated substation.
A number of new compact and innovative
solutions for high voltage plant are proposed
by manufacturers to include disconnecting
circuit breakers, integration of surge arrester
within plant and non-conventional instrument
transformers.
In this study, four compact substation layouts
were considered. Each successive compact
layout involves an additional step of
compaction, using the conventional substation
layout as the reference case.
Conclusion
Overvoltage studies of a compact substation
design based on IEC minimum clearances
demonstrate that the application of surge
arresters reduces successfully the overvoltages
in the substation to below the selected
Lightning and Switching Impulse Withstand
Voltages.
A review of compact HV substation technology
has been carried out, and a number of compact
solutions have been identified. It is shown that
the application of combinations of these
solutions to a standard 400kV switch-bay
indicates that a reduction of up to 52% in
ground area can be achieved.