TRANSMISSION AND

DISTRIBUTION PLANNING
UNIT 2

 Transmission

system:
Transfers bulk
power from the
generating
system to
distribution
system
Sub transmission

system:
segregates power
into dist. systems
Distribution

system:
Between
transmission and
consumers

VOLTAGE LEVELS
Generation :
11 KV

Primary transmission :
220 KV

Secondary transmission

:
33 KV

Primary distribution :
6.6 KV

Secondary distribution :
415 V

Consumers :
415 / 230 V

TRANSMISSION NETWORK
Interconnection permits power exchange
Planning of transmission system involves :
Power flow requirements
System stability
Selection of voltage levels
Voltage and reactive power flow
Conductor selection
Losses
Insulation levels
Type of structure
Right of way

TRANSMISSION NETWORK
Criteria for planning of transmission system :
Availability of generation and demand
Voltage levels
Size and configuration of systems
Distance
Right of ways
Resource constraints

Due to increasing demand, network interconnection are

done
Indian loading 90 % ( Healthy loading 50 % )
Network reaches alert state of operation at peak load
Small disturbance causes major network collapse

DISTRIBUTION NETWORK
Sub transmission system:
33 220 KV
Delivers energy to distribution substation

Distribution substation :
converts to lower primary distribution system voltage
Boosts voltages for better voltage regulation of primary voltage

Primary circuits of feeders :

11-33 KV
Supplies bulk load directly and distribution transformers

Distribution transformers :
10 2500 KVA
Transform the primary voltage to utilisation voltage at 110 440 V

Secondary circuits :
carry energy from the D.T along streets

Service lines :
deliver energy from secondary circuits to consumer premises

TYPE OF DISTRIBUTION NETWORK

RADIAL

Only one supply source

Vulnerable to long

interupption
Low reliability
Suitable for small loads

TYPE OF DISTRIBUTION NETWORK

PRIMARY LOOP

Provides power from 2 feeders

Supply depends on switch status of sectionalizes and

reclosers
Loop is normally operated with tie sectionaliser switch open
Outage time due to fault is reduced
Additional line increases frequency of faults

TYPE OF DISTRIBUTION NETWORK

PRIMARY SELECTIVE

Each transformer gets

supplied from two sources

(feeders)
Transfer of feeder in event of
fault is automatic , therefore
fault duration is minimised
System reliability is high
Used for large essential or
continous process industrial
consumers

TYPE OF DISTRIBUTION NETWORK

SECONDARY SELECTIVE

A primary feeder has its own transformer,

feeding a load each

Tie Switch is normally open and interlocked
between secondary feeder switches
Used for industrial plants and large
institutions like hospitals
Primary operational switching is eliminated
Duplicate transformers eliminate
interupption time
Each feeder + transformer system must
have capacity to supply entire load
Transfer is automatic upon loss of voltage
on either feeder with static switching
equipment

TYPE OF DISTRIBUTION NETWORK

SPOT NETWORK

Has maximum service reliability

Transformers are operated in parallel
The LV bus is continuously energized by

all D.Ts operating in parallel

Automatic disconnection is obtained by
reverse power relays
Feeder fault is eliminated by isolating
the feeder, while supply is continued
through remaining lines
Used in high load density , metropolitan
areas, for essential services
Long duration outages dont exist in
this system

TYPE OF DISTRIBUTION NETWORK

GRID NETWORK

Has maximum service reliability

and operational flexibility

Most economical and effective
method
For high density loads in
metropolitan cities
Grid is supplied from multiple
feeders
No outage even during feeder maintenance
Improved voltage regulation due to parallel operation
of transformers
Grid can handle abrupt load changes and disturbances
Voltage fluctuation due to fault is very localized

HV TRANSMISSION (HVAC /
HVDC)
HV preferred due to :
increasing requirement of bulk power transfer over

long distances
Feasibility i.e. economical and ecological advantages
of generating power near the fuel source instead of
load centres
0.5V 2
53.6 * r
P
and PL
Voltage level of transmission X * D
X
Power
power (MW)
handling capacity of a linewhere
: PP Total
Power loss (MW)
L

depends on :

Quantity of power
Distance to be transmitted

V Line - line voltage (kV)

D Distance (km)
X Reactance(ohm/km)
r Resistance (ohm/km)

HV TRANSMISSION (HVAC /
HVDC)
V (kV)

X (ohm/km)

r (ohm/km)

PL (in %)

400

0.327

0.031

5.12

800

0.272

0.0136

2.7

1000

0.231

0.0036

0.85

1200

0.231

0.0027

0.64

Observation :
The capital cost per MW-km decreases with Higher

Voltage
P(1*800 KV line) = P(4*400 KV lines) for same
distance
For PL(800KV) = 1/10th of PL(400 KV)

HVDC LINKS
Asynchronous HVDC links is used where
Connecting system widely differs
AC mode of connecting systems is impossible

HVDC operation procedure:

AC DC AC
Uses 2-wires (bipolar transmission) instead of 3-wires

for same power

Economical only for long distances

TYPES OF DC LINKS
Based on location of

converting stations :
Two terminal D.C. line
Power transfer is economical
over long distances

Back-to-back D.C. line

with long A.C. feeder
along the border
Power transfer between areas is easy

HVDC V/S HVAC TRANSMISSION

HVDC TRANSMISSION
Technical advantages of HVDC links :
Power flow can be controlled independent of system operating
conditions.
System operating at different frequencies may be interlinked
Improves stability
Common reasons for using HVDC links:
Lower line costs 2 wire system
Lower losses no reactive power flow
Asynchronous connection-two different frequencies
Controllability- semiconductor technology yielded better
reliability ,controllability
Major electrical networks
long distance transmission
interconnection between systems
high power underground distribution system feeders

HVDC TRANSMISSION
Increased transferability :
the same voltage will transfer higher power, with the
same infrastructure
A single AC circuit can be re-arranged into bipolar DC
line transmission capacity increases by 150 %
Right of way retained

Conversion from AC to DC system is easy :

Utilize the same infrastructure same towers and
conductors
Same conductors can be bundled
DC insulators to be used in place of AC insulators

HVDC TRANSMISSION
Other advantages of using HVDC links :
DC cables are cheaper compared to AC
One single cable can take up to 500-1000 MW
A DC cable does not contribute to short circuit power
Costly and difficult overhead line paths in a city centre can be avoided by
cabling
It ensures better conductor utilization
It provides for three times the capacity, using the same conductors
It has an even higher capacity with new towers in an existing right of way
It makes it possible to control reactive power in a city centre
It ensures increased system stability
It provides for increased power capacity in parallel AC lines
It provides for controlled power flow
It provides for double circuit performance of a converted single circuit AC
line
There is higher power without increased short circuit power
There is better control of the line load factor

HVDC TRANSMISSION
Disadvantages of using HVDC links :
Economical only for long distances
Harmonics are generated due to semiconductor devices
used- checked by filters
Costs in HVDC links :
Converter stations : the valves made of series connected
thyristors modules, no parallel connection needed
Converter transformers : to achieve galvanic separation
between DC and AC side
Switchgear : used for clearing faults, must be highly
reliable and maintainable

SELECTION OF VOLTAGE LEVELS

Economy of supply depends on selection of

voltages in the T & D systems

Factor influencing the selection of voltages :
Load density
Transmission distance
Transmission power
Steady load growth-varying with time and
geographically
In medium HV range 11KV is the minimum voltage
Cities 11-22 KV
Rural areas 11-33 KV

SELECTION OF VOLTAGE LEVELS

voltage designat Range of application
ion
< 1 KV
LV
Distribution system for small
consumers
1-36 KV MHV
Distribution systems for large
consumers
36-150 HV
Distribution and subtransmission
KV
systems for MHV systems, cities,
railways
Economical
step : systems for
<
150
EHV voltage
Transmission
HV to HVoperations
KV3-6 times from medium
interconnected
can be higher/lower depending on load density

SELECTION OF VOLTAGE LEVELS

Problems in selecting HV :
insulation becomes a problem
Economical design of HV overhead lines because line cost is
higher in proportion to total cost
Availability of existing plant- prevents use of new voltage due to
capital already invested

Load level

Supply
Voltage levels should be max 3
voltage
above LV value
Upto 60 KW
LT supply
EHV level / lower level > 3
60 KV - 50 MW 11 KV
HV level / lower level > 5
5 30 MVA
33 / 66 KV
Reduction in no. of levels allows
30 50 MVA
132 KV
increased length of MV systems
>50 MVA
220 KV

PLANNING CRITERIA : STRATEGY

SEB : To provide transmission systems for state grids
POWERGRID :
To lay the transmission system network for :
facilitating power transfer by central sector to various constituents
For strengthening regional power grids
Formation of national power grid
Private companies can also develop the transmission system

Transmission network planning :

Should be with a long and medium term perspective
Should have an integrated approach to transfer power from all sources to
all beneficiaries
Optimal design with reliability, security and economy in mind
Good voltage profile should be maintained
Network should integrate within the region and inter-regions
Configuration should be such that optimal dispatch is possible

THERMAL LOADING
Loading limit is decided by :
ambient temperature varies with location and
season
maximum permissible conductor temperaturespecified for standard sizes
Loading(MVA) based on

max. conductor temp of

Ambient temp
65 deg
70 deg

40 deg
225
257
258 sq.
mm
45 deg
189
225
ACSR
40 deg
943
1077
345sq.
mm
45 deg
785
943
ACSR

DESPATCHABILITY : LOADING
System should be planned such that :
It is self sufficient as well as suitable for sharing with

neighbours
Maximum angular separation between bases : 40 deg for

steady state
Should stand outage of 2 circuits of 220 KV system/1 circuit

of 400KV / 1 pole of HVDC bipole / 1 EHV transformer

without load shedding or rescheduling of generation
Should ensure full evacuation of maximum possible output

from generating stations even under transmission line

outage

DESPATCHABILITY : TRANSMISSION SYSTEM OUTAGE

CAPABILITY

Transmission system should be capable of

withstanding the following outages :

Simultaneous outage of two 220 KV circuits
Outage of one 400 KV SC
Outage of a 800/765 KV SC
Outage of one bipolar HVDC line
Outage of one generating unit

DESPATCHABILITY : SECURITY