Power systems for transmission SS

For reliable operation of protection devices, monitoring and control of the substations quality uninterruptible DC voltage is necessary. It can only be ensured by power supply system which is appropriately and precisely designed, professionally manufactured, competently tested and professionally implemented in the facility. For the manufacturing of such supply systems KONČAR uses only the highest quality components of renowned manufacturers (battery, special circuit breakers for DC distribution etc.). The numerous positive references from different power facilities confirm the soundness of the approach and practices.

Redundant power supply systems

Two basic types of power supply: KONIS-B and KONIS-P will satisfy the requirements of each of distribution substations, ensuring perfectly stabile and reliable DC voltage.

The most important energy facilities (thermal and hydro power plants, large transmission substations, etc.) should have the highest possible reliability of power supply because the possible damage caused by a power supply failure at a critical moment can surpass by far the price of power supply.

The right choice for such facilities is redundant parallel connection of two completely independent power supplies. Thereby independent double supply of each load or a small group of loads is provided. Redundancy of cables themselves is often applied. High reliability is based on the requirement that the failure of one system does not in any way affect the operation of other system, which continues to supply all loads without interruption.

Distributed power supply systems

The very large and complex facilities are often situated on large areas, so the power cables between the power supply and the load must be extremely long which increases the voltage drop across the cable. Consequently, the supplied equipment will not operate properly.

This is avoided by use of large cross-section conductors which makes it more expensive. Furthermore, in these facilities the power supply distribution system often must comprise four levels of selectivity, which is more complex to design and it adds to costs.

The optimal solution for such large facilities is the installation of a distributed power supply system. Instead of one central power supply system for all load equipment, each equipment group has their own power supply system.

Distribution boards

Voltage distribution must allow a safe connection of any load to the power supply system. They must be designed so that in the event of a short circuit only defective outgoing feeder or load is disconnected. In addition to the selectivity the ability to interrupt relatively high currents must be ensured. Short circuit current is limited only by very small resistance such as internal resistance of battery, cable resistance, contact resistance, etc. so that they typically reach several thousand amperes. The circuit breakers must be able to break those currents in the shortest possible time. Therefore only tested circuit breakers from high-quality manufacturers are applied.
For the smallest plants, with a small number of end loads, DC voltage distribution bord is designed with selectivity in two levels. In most other plants DC voltage distribution bord is designed with selectivity in three levels. There are very large plants with several hundred meters long cables by which the equipment is connected to the power supply. In their case the selectivity in three levels is unsatisfactory solution so DC voltage distribution bord is designed with selectivity in four levels.
It is necessary to carefully design DC voltage distribution bords in order for the selectivity to be ensured in all border situations. This is especially true for the most complex systems with DC distribution bords where it is necessary to achieve selectivity in four levels. Such configurations represent a real design challenge as only a very few circuit breakers are eligible for such applications, and the distribution bord itself inevitably has increased price.

Reconstruction

In older transmission SS due to deterioration, end-of- life time and various reconstructions and adaptation, power supply quality often does not meet the minimum criteria of reliability, endangering the proper operation and security of the entire facility.
In such cases it is necessary to examine the actual state of power supply and implement appropriate reconstruction. Often it is necessary to redo the design and reconstruct a complete power supply system. It is a very delicate task, which requires a high skill and experience. KONČAR successfully reconstructed many substations, but because of the scope and complexity of the activities, the most important references are impeccable reconstruction of the largest hydro power plants and thermal power plants in Croatia.