Power Systems Analysis - Basis for Design and Maintenance

[JimmyJunior]

Hello:

I have been involved with Power System Analysis since 1976, before the advent of the PC. Back then we used main frames to perform short circuit calculations.

Where I work I am the only electrical engineer (and only EE with a PE) that has this kind of expertise and experience.

My problem is I cannot convince other electrical engineers and design techs of the importance of Power System Analysis in the design and maintenance of our extensive 69kV/12.47kV14.16kV distribution system. I am accused of being too theoretical.

My question: Should Power System Analysis serve as the basis for the design and maintenance of our distributrion systems (especially Load Flow and Short Circuit studies).

Thank you,

Jimmy Junior

 

[Marmite]

Like most things it's a question of balancing expenditure against benefit. From my point of view it's all about the scale of the network and how much it's changing dynamically on a day to day basis. I worked for a small island utility with 30000 customers and 100MVA demand which employed a guy full time doing system studies on the 33kV and 22kV network using PSS/e. Quite how he managed to fill his time is anyone's guess. I now work for a major vertically integrated utility with generation, transmission and distribution assets, which uses PSS/e to study the network in real time using Scada information as part of network investment planning for new connections and asset replacement, maintenance outage planning and response to faults and incidents.
If you have a small system which rarely changes, other than general load growth then once you've done an initial study to verify everything is operating within its designed capability further analysis would in my view be of little benefit.
Regards
Marmite

 

[CFinley]

JimmyJunior,

You are correct in expressing the importance of power system analysis as the basis for good system design.

I (old timer) was brought up in the same way you were, particularly short circuit analysis and symmetrical components, and I can certainly vouch that you are not being 'too' theoretical, which , in my opinion, is always good engineering practice.

All too many times, a thorough analysis (of the initial design) will expose flaws, and will certainly save you and the utility a lot of headaches.

Good luck!

 

[QBplanner]

I really dislike what Marmite 's ideas.

I am in North America, before, I worked in the other country. After I came here and found a job in one of the power companies here. I found out people here in NA lack of basic knowledge of how to plan and do power system analysis. In fact, here people stop building 500kV and above system for almost 30 years. People around me who always claim 30 years experience do not even know how the 500kV system high voltage shunt reactor came from and how to justify nrutral reactors. Instead, everybody is talking reliability which is a funny story.
Jimmy:Keep doing what you did. I strongly support you.

The best north america power system engineers are all gone... What a Pity!!!!