345kV Ring Bus Extension, GIS

[cyriousn]

Hi everyone, I've been tasked with trying to figure out a way to extend an existing air insulated 345kV ring bus in a congested substation. There is not enough room to extend it with air insulated equipment so I'm left wondering if it could be done with exterior GIS equipment. Each end of the extension would be tied into the existing 345kv high-bus and there would be two underground lines coming up in between. The two lines coming up are both generating sources so we may need two breakers in between those sources. We only have about 250 x 60 ft to work with. This is my first time looking into GIS so any help would be much appreciated getting a reality check on the footprint I'm looking at here.

 

[DTR2011]

Can you build up or down? You should really consult with a GIS vendor to see what’s possible. Where do plan to split the ring to add?

 

[bacon4life]

Several years ago when I looked at GIS for a 230 kV project, several vendors were quick to mock up a CAD layout. The GIS gear itself is pretty compact as long as you have room for the bushings.

 

[cyriousn]

Yes building up sounds feasible and may be our only option as we are also battling with existing vehicle pathways within the substation. I put together a crude diagram of the before and after. There are four generation sources back to back so it looks like there might be more breakers needed than I previously thought. I've started reaching out to some GIS vendors as well.

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