go to top scroll for more

Projects: Projects for Investigator
Reference Number	NIA_SHET_0013
Title	Modular Approach to Substation Construction - Design Development
Status	Completed
Energy Categories	Other Power and Storage Technologies(Electricity transmission and distribution) 100%;
Research Types	Applied Research and Development 100%
Science and Technology Fields	ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY (Electrical and Electronic Engineering) 100%
UKERC Cross Cutting Characterisation	Not Cross-cutting 100%
Principal Investigator	Project Contact No email address given Scottish Hydro Electric Power Distribution plc (SHEPD)
Award Type	Network Innovation Allowance
Funding Source	Ofgem
Start Date	01 April 2014
End Date	01 January 2017
Duration	33 months
Total Grant Value	£405,000
Industrial Sectors	Power
Region	Scotland
Programme	Network Innovation Allowance
Investigators	Principal Investigator	Project Contact , Scottish Hydro Electric Power Distribution plc (SHEPD) (100.000%)
Web Site	http://www.smarternetworks.org/project/NIA_SHET_0013
Objectives	1) Define the requirements for a modular approach to transmission substation from design to construction2) Assess the alternative approaches to traditional substation design and construction techniques3) Create recommendations for Transmission Operators to employ these new approaches, including potential changes to design and operational standards. If successful SHE Transmission will then look to deploy this approach on a selected project. If successful this project has the potential to Reduce costs for substation design, construction, installation and operation Increase speed of deployment Develop lower cost options for increasing substation capacity to give increased flexibility Allow substations to be better matched to the anticipated connection - especially for renewables - and to provide flexibility to increase capacity Reduce consenting times Reduce the overall carbon footprint of the development The project will be successful if it delivers a recommendation from which a Modular Approach to Substation Construction policy can be developed by December 2015. This will allow more informed decisions to be made when considering design and construction options for future substation projects.
Abstract	The GB transmission system faces a number of significant challenges due to the ever increasing demand for renewable connections. This has resulted in a significant requirement to build new infrastructure and reinforce existing network. Traditional techniques for substation design and construction have changed very little in the last 40 years. However, advances in technology have allowed suppliers to increasingly offer an innovative range of containerised or modular components including switchgear, transformers etc. To date they have relied on combining a range of appropriately rated components to produce a near "bespoke" design. This has tended to produce a substation designs which, whilst meeting the needs of the TO, are relatively inflexible giving little scope for low cost options for expansion or contraction. Key aspects of this approach to substation design and construction are as follows: Renewables connections need a greater degree of flexibility than current traditional designs allow (e.g. Flexibility to increase size as more turbines are built over time). Speed of connection is an important factor for renewables connections - and substations can be on the critical path (therefore, both reducing the impact of a substation to minimise impact on the planning process, and speeding up its construction, will be of benefit). Renewables connections are often in more remote locations, making on-site working a cost premium. Specific requirements for substations are becoming more bespoke, and this is driving up their cost; more standard designs would be cost effective. The relatively short operational life of renewables (typically 25 years), leads to the risk of ‘stranded assets’. A more modular approach may allow TOs to reduce costs via economies of scale, reduce construction times and costs, and produce more flexible designs. In addition the use of a modular or containerised approach may result in a less intrusive design with a reduced overall footprint. In consideration of the potential limitations of traditional substation design and implementation highlighted in the previous section, SHE Transmission propose to develop functional requirements and designs for modular substations as an alternative to the established approach. The use of a more modular approach has the potential to: Give greater flexibility to provide timely increase/decrease substation rating in the future to meet changing demands; reduce construction times by optimizing use of off-site manufacture; reduce costs by providing economies of scale from serial production; allow a more flexible approach to operation and maintenance, whilst maintaining safety and reliability standards. This approach also introduces a next generation approach to substation design which can be used to enable serial, rather than bespoke, production of substations. A staged approach to the development of the new designs and options is proposed: Stage 1 - Requirements and Information Gathering- Identify the generic functional requirements across our portfolio of anticipated substations (focusing on connections for renewables). Initially this will probably focus on designs up to 132kV. - Gather and review technologies for modular substations components (e.g. Containerised switch-gear) from a range of suppliers. - Investigate options for more modular and faster to deploy methods for the non-electrical components of a substation, including fencing, foundations, civil works, cabling etc. - Stage 2 - Design Competition- Based on the above requirements, engage with the supply chain on a competitive basis to develop a set of solutions which will meet the functional requirements, using the most appropriate available technology. - Stage 3 - Select & Progress- Identify preferred standardised design(s) utilising modular components. - Identify specific appropriate sites for which the new substation designs could be used in future. This will include ensuring that any new developments or innovations can be implemented by a wide range of manufacturers and suppliers.Note : Project Documents may be available via the ENA Smarter Networks Portal using the Website link above
Publications	(none)
Final Report	(none)
Added to Database	14/09/18