Chapter Three

Electrical Power Planning and design

 1.1. Introduction
 The function of an electric power system is to provide a
reliable and continuous source of electricity whenever
requested.
 To provide this service, each of the three main components of
an electric power system: generation, transmission and
distribution must perform as required.
 An electric power system is a dynamic system which is a
balance of supply and demand:
A. The supply of electricity, consisting of physical devices that
must be designed, constructed, operated, maintained, and
eventually replaced as each device wears out, and
B. The demand for electricity, which changes as a function of time
from instantaneous , to short term and to the longer term
 1.1. Introduction…
 Therefore, a major objective for an electric power system is to keep
a continual balance between the supply and demand for electricity.

 Power system planning is part of a more general problem, that of

energy and economic development planning.

 Its objective is to determine a minimum cost strategy for long range

expansion of the generation, transmission and distribution systems
adequate to supply the load forecast within a set of technical,
economic and political constraints.
 1.1. Introduction…
 Power system expansion planning is the process of analyzing,
evaluating and recommending what new facilities and
equipment must be added to the power system in order to
replace worn out facilities and equipment and to meet
changing demand for electricity.
 The careful planning and co-ordination of investments in the
generation and transmission system as a whole is an important
step toward a satisfactory overall performance of a power
system.
 Basic questions to be answered in the course of the planning
process are:
 .
 1.1. Introduction…
 Basic questions to be answered in the course of the planning
process are:
 What capacities to install to ensure an appropriate level of
reliability?
 How to pick the best combination among the different
technologies at hand now and later on?
 Where to locate this new equipment?
 When is the proper time to incorporate them into the
system?
 1.2. Generation planning
1.1.1. Introduction
• Power system planning is
made up of the electrical
load forecast, generation
planning and electrical
network planning as shown
in figure
• The electrical load forecast
forms the basis of power
system planning and
provides information on
expected consumption
increase, load curve profiles
and load distribution
 1.1.1. Introduction…
• The aim of generation planning is to seek the most economical
generation expansion scheme achieving a certain reliability
level according to the forecast of demand increase in a certain
period of time.

The following questions are to be answered:

 When to invest new generating units?
 Where to invest new generating units?
 What type of generating units to install?
 What capacity of generating units to install?
 1.1.1. Introduction…
The following quantitative analysis should be made by
generation planning models in order to find and justify the
optimal generation expansion scheme:
The feasibility or the generation structure
The cost of primary energy resources and fuel for the scheme
The cost or investment flow and annual operation of the scheme
The reliability indices of electricity supply
The sensitivity of the scheme to an increase in the field price and
generating unit investment
The effect of delaying certain key projects
All of these problems make generation planning a very
complicated task. Mathematically, generation planning is a
problem with high dimensionality, non-linearity and
stochastic characteristics.
 1.1.1. Introduction…
The major issues in the development of a long term expansion
plan for the generating system are:
 Demand
 Technology Options
 Economic Evaluation
 Reliability
 Constraints
 Environmental and Social Impacts
 Demand
The electrical energy requirement is the first step in planning.
The forecast typically must be for power (kW), energy (kW-h)
and load variation for time intervals within a year, such as a
month or season, for all years of the study
There are two distinct types of uncertainty in demand
forecasting
1. Uncertainty results from the randomness of the load at any time
because of, for example, weather conditions
2. Uncertainty associating with the estimate of future demand, i.e.
the estimate may be too high or too low
Underestimating result in a generating system with low reliability and the
inability to serve some portion of demand. overestimating the demand
imposes additional cost on the system
Peak load forecasting is important because it directly influence the required
generation capacity on every day of the year there must be enough available
 Technology Options
Various technologies are currently available as candidates for
expanding electrical generating systems.
Each has a unique set of characteristics that must be
considered from a system viewpoint to determine the mix of
future additions that provides the best outcome for the stated
objectives for expansion.
In addition to existing technologies, long-term studies of
generation expansion must consider whether advanced
technologies will become available and, if so, what their costs
and characteristics will be.
Power generation technologies may be classified into existing
major options and potential future options.
 Economic Evaluation
A fundamental aspect of any economic evaluation is the time
element, since implementation time and economic lifetime of
a generating unit require a certain number of years: a
particularly large number in the case of nuclear units, where
the overall period to be considered usually varies between 30
and 45 years (typical values are 10 years for implementation
and 30 years for economic lifetime).
A key concept in understanding the basic principles of
economic evaluation is the time value of money, i.e. how
streams of costs or incomes (or alternatively of produced
electricity since it generates an income) occurring through
time can be compared on an equivalent basis.
 Economic Evaluation…
The relationship between time and money is affected by:
1. Inflation (or deflation) which changes the buying power of
money.
2. he value given to possession of money now rather than later,
since the former allows this amount of money to be invested
for an interval of time to earn a real return (i.e. in addition to
inflation)
 Reliability…
The generation planner must design the future generating
system to be responsive to such problems as:
 Random breakdowns of generating equipment (forced outages).
 Variations in demand to be met by the generating system (including
random variations).
 Variations in hydraulic conditions which affect hydroelectric capacity
and energy available to the generating system.
 Scheduled maintenance of generating equipment and refueling of
nuclear units.
 Changes in anticipated new capacity scheduled to come on line, e.g.
delays or cancellations because of financial and other constraints.
 Reliability…
It is thus necessary to consider explicitly what level of
adequacy is required for system planning.
Overbuilding capacity will increase the average cost of
generation while underbuilding capacity will result in some
portion of demand not being served.
There are two reliability indices which are commonly used for
development of generation expansion plans.

These indices are as follows:

 Loss of Load Probability (LOLP): LOLP is the risk associated with
having insufficient generation to meet the forecasted load demand. It is
generally expressed in hours/years
 Expected Un-served Energy (EUE) : EUE is a measure of energy that
is not supplied in expected terms over the year. It is generally expressed
in GWh per year.
 Constraints
In a general context, the solution of the expansion problem is
the schedule of plant additions and network development over
a certain period of time which yields the optimum benefits
while satisfying the projected electricity demand with a
certain margin of reserve and respecting certain foreseeable
constraints.
definition of the constraints is perhaps more complex since this requires
the resolution of important issues, such as:
 Adequate reserve margins or level of reliability.
 Required quality of service in terms of continuity of supply, frequency and
voltage.
 Availability of resources (manpower, fuel, funds).
 Technical considerations.
 Infrastructure needs.
 Environmental consideration.
 The country's policies concerning new units for electricity generation.
 Environmental and Social Impacts
During the conceptual and design phases of a new power
plant, or during expansion of an existing facility,
environmental factors should be considered not only for
ethical reasons but because, for example, emissions can have
an adverse effect on local plant, personnel, nearby
communities and industries.
Emissions into the atmosphere
Thermal pollution
hydroelectric power development has environmental consequences
 loss of productive agricultural lands in the reservoir area
 Disruption of existing aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems
 Loss of woods and scenic stretches on the river;
 Changes in scour and sedimentation patterns within and downstream
of the reservoir and/or other perceived environmental dangers to
human values and natural biological systems;
1.2.2. General Layout & design of Hydro Generating Stations
• Hydroelectric power (hydropower) systems convert
the kinetic energy in flowing water into electric
energy.

• Falling or flowing water turns a propeller like piece

called a turbine.

• The turbine turns a metal shaft in an electric

generator which produces electricity
Layout
 layout…
It has the following major components
Reservoir
Dam & spillways
Intake or control gates
Penstock
Turbines
Generators
The major aspects to be considered for deciding the power
plant layout are:
Size of various units
Size required for spiral casing
Distance between various units
Width of erection bay
Position of gantry crane
Position of control room
Hydroelectric Power Dominant system Characteristics

Capital investments are high

The energy production depends on the amount of water
available
he availability of peak power in a hydroelectric plant is a
function of the plant head
Many reservoirs are multipurpose i.e. they have other
applications besides power generation, some of which, such as
flood control and irrigation, conflict with the requirements of
power generation.
The hydroelectric projects tend to be located far from the main
load centers
hydroelectric development costs are very site-specific
 Designing Hydro Power Plants
When designing a hydroelectric power plant a number of
elements and equipment need to be taken into consideration.
Dam size, retention basin size and depth, inlet valves, weir and
control gates, penstock length and diameter, turbines,
generators, transformers and excitation equipment, and
efficiency all have to be examined.
Elevation or head and stream flow have to be established as
well.
The standard power equation:
 Designing Hydro Power Plants…
Based on this power:
 Mechanical Engineers design the hydraulic turbines.
 Electrical engineers design the generators, transformers, the switch
yards and the protection system.
 Dams, canals, intakes, penstocks, tailraces and power houses are
designed by civil engineers
This power is also one of the main factors that decide the
feasibility of an HPP.
Feasibility study is the first step in HPP construction.
Feasibility study contains:
Site visit and selection
Capacity analysis
Economic analysis
Environmental impact analysis
 1.3. Transmission System planning
Transmission system planning involves determining and
scheduling the additions and changes that will need to be made
to a high-voltage power transmission grid as future conditions,
including demand for power, change
The basic principle of transmission planning is to minimize the
transmission construction and operational cost satisfying the
requirement of delivering electric power safely and reliably to
load centers.
Here the reliability requirements include:
1. Normal operation requirements: when power system equipment is
operated under good conditions, various operating standards are
ensured. For example, line transmission powers, generator output,
voltage level, spinning reserve and so on are within the rated range.
 1.3. Transmission System planning..,
2. Contingent operation requirements: when an equipment
fault or load disturbance occurs, the electricity supply
reliability requirements are satisfied.

Generally speaking, the transmission planning should answer

the following questions:
 Where to build a new transmission line?
 When to build it?
 What type of transmission line to build?
Issues & Factors in a Transmission Planning Study

Planning Period
Load Forecast and transmission usage projection
Generation Resources (Location, Type, etc.)
Discrete Transmission Capacities
Different Alternatives (AC or DC transmission, network
topology, etc.)
End Effects
Economic and Financial Constraints
Voltage level selection
R-O-W Limitations
New and Emerging Technology
Various Uncertainties and Risks
Service Reliability and Cost Considerations
Analysis and reliability testing of reinforcement alternatives

Load flow studies for flow, voltage, and transmission loss

evaluations
Contingency load flow analysis for alternatives to meet
reliability criteria
Stability analysis to verify that alternatives meet reliability
criteria.
Short circuit tests to verify that existing or new breakers will
be able to interrupt faults within their ratings.
Other studies including voltage sag studies.
Alternative methods
 Criteria for planning of transmission system

Availability of generation and demand

Voltage levels
Size and configuration of systems
Distance
Right of ways
Resource constraints
Security criteria: The N-1 criterion is the most commonly used basic
criterion in thermal design
 Selection of Voltage Levels
Factor influencing the selection of voltages:
 Load density
 Transmission distance
 Transmission power
 Steady load growth-varying with time and geographically
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
 1.4. Distribution planning
The primary purpose of an electricity distribution system is to
meet the customer‘s demands for energy after receiving the
bulk electrical energy from transmission or sub-transmission
substation.
Depending on the geographical location, the distribution
network can be in the form of overhead lines or underground
cables.

Planning of the distribution network is essential to enable the

required demand can be met based on various forecast loading
figures and supply security/reliability
 1.4. Distribution planning…
Parameters considered for planning:
 Load density
 Expected load growth: New customer additions and new uses of
electricity
 Voltage level
 Circuit configuration
 No. of feeding points
Cost / benefit analysis is performed considering:
 System voltage
 System losses
 Estimated non-distributed energy due to system faults
 Annual maintenance cost
 Safety
 Sensitivity analysis for future – unknown factors as of now
 1.4. Distribution planning…
Consideration should be given for incorporating technical innovation:
 Insulated overhead conductors
 New type of CB
 Use of microcontrollers in protection
 Local automation schemes
 Network tele-control
HV network planning:
 Design and construction period is long
 Includes negotiations to obtain routes for overhead lines ,
underground cables
 Due to the overall lead time, estimation can be accurate
MV network planning:
 Half the review period goes in planning general load growth
 New additions will have to be incorporated in middle of planning
period
 1.5.Substation

• The assembly of apparatus used to change some

characteristics (e.g. voltage, AC to DC, frequency,
power factor, etc.) of electrical supply is called a
substation.
• They fulfill a number of functions:
 They allow power from different generating stations to be
fed into the main transmission corridors.
 They provide a terminus for interconnections with other
systems.
 They provide a location where transformers can be
connected to feed power into the sub-transmission or
distribution systems.
 1.5.Substation
 They allow transmission lines to be segmented to provide a
degree of redundancy in the transmission paths.
 They provide a location where compensation devices such
as shunt or series reactors or capacitors can be connected to
the transmission system.
 They provide a location where transmission lines can be de-
energized, either for maintenance or because of an
electrical malfunction involving the line.
 They provide a location for protection, control, and
metering equipment.
 Classification of Substation
According to Service requirement:
 Transformer Substation: Transformers are installed to
transform voltage from one level to another as per needs.
 Switching Substations: These substations mean for
switching operation of power lines without transforming the
voltage.
 Power factor correction Substations: These substations are
installed to increase the power factor to minimize losses.
 Frequency Changer Substations: These substations are
installed where speed control of motors is required.
 Converting Substations: These substations convert AC to DC
or vice versa.
 Industrial Substations: These substations are installed to
supply power only to industries.
 According to Constructional Features:
Indoor Substations: In these substations, the apparatus are
installed within the substation building.
Outdoor Substations: These substations are installed in open
land.
Underground Substations: These substations are installed
underground in densely populated cities where cost of the land
is more.
Pole-Mounted Substations: These substations are erected for
distribution of power in localities. This is employed for
transformers up to 250 kVA.
Foundation Mounted Substations: This substations are
installed for transformers which are too heavy (rating beyond
250kVA).
 Substation Equipment
The equipment required for a substation depends upon the
type of sub-station, service requirement and the degree of
protection desired.
However, in general, a substation has the following main
equipment:
 Bus-bar: is a conductor connecting power line to substation
equipment.
 Insulators & fittings: fix and isolate the bus-bar system.
 Isolating Switch: it is used for disconnecting equipment for
maintenance and repair.
 Relays & Circuit Breaker: open and close a circuit under normal and
fault conditions.
 Instrument Transformers: is to transfer voltages or currents in the
power lines to values which are convenient for the operation of
measuring instruments and relays
 Substation Equipment …
 Metering & Indicating Instruments: used to watch over the circuit
quantities.
 Power Transformers: are used in substations to step up or step down
the voltages
 Power line carrier communication systems: used for SCADA
 Coupling capacitors and wave traps
Auxiliary Devices
 AC/DC supply: is used for auxiliaries and DC supply for relay
operation.
 Oil handling system: used for purifying oil from moisture
 Illumination: should be properly illuminated for safety.
 Compressed air system: for functioning of CB.
 Service bay: to carry the equipment to installation side.
 Fire extinguishers
 Substation design
Substation design considerations
 Security of supply
 Category 1: No outage necessary within the substation for either
maintenance or fault;
 Category 2: Short outage necessary to transfer the load to an alternative
circuit for maintenance or fault conditions;
 Category 3: Loss of a circuit or section;
 Category 4: Loss of substation
 Extendibility: the design should allow for future
extendibility
 Maintainability
 Operational flexibility: The physical layout of individual circuits
and groups of circuits must permit the required power flow control
 Protection arrangements:
 Land area
 Cost
 Selection of substation location
The decisions about where to locate new substations and how much
capacity to put at each one are the strategic moves in power delivery
planning
Selection of the location of a substation must consider many factors:
 Sufficient land area
 Necessary clearances for electrical safety
 Access to maintain large apparatus such as transformers.
 The site must have room for expansion due to load growth or planned
transmission additions.
 Environmental effects (drainage, noise and road traffic effects).
 Grounding must be taking into account to protect passers-by during a short
circuit in the transmission system
 The substation site must be reasonably central to the distribution area to be
served
 As far as possible rectangular or square in shape for ease of proper orientation of
bus – bars and feeders.
 Free from master plans / layouts or future development activities to have free
line corridors for the present and in future.
 Above highest flood level (HFL) so that there is no water logging.
Layout Design