POWER SYSTEMS CAPABILITY
INTRODUCTION
With increasing global focus on optimum allocation of scarce financial and other resources and the deregulation of the electrical power industry, utilities are striving to minimise the cost of power systems whilst still achieving acceptable overall reliability of those systems. Our organisation provides comprehensive least cost engineering and project management services in the development of power systems. These services include design and Project management for generation, transmission and distribution projects, including associated switching stations, lines and substations.
Due to energy shortfalls within the African region and the world over, as well as environmental and other considerations, there is an increasing call for the use of alternative energy sources to meet or supplement the power and energy requirements of distribution utilities and their customers. Our organisation provides consulting services to identify evaluate and recommend the most cost effective and appropriate alternative energy sources to meet those power and energy requirements.
SSMN personnel are vastly acquainted with the various Grid Codes, and all designs carried out by SSMN comply fully with host country Grid Codes. SSMN personnel have vast experience with working on various projects and are fully acquainted with the requirements of Electricity Regulatory authorities in the Sub-Saharan African region. We are intimately familiar with all steel lattice structures that are used by Eskom.
SCOPE OF SERVICES
SSMN has immense capability in design and construction management of generation, transmission and distribution systems. The organisation has highly qualified individuals who have high level capability in the use of the latest sophisticated computerised design tools used for generation, transmission and distribution system planning and design the world over. Some of the highly specialised software used within the organisation includes but is not limited to:
• Power System Simulator for Engineering (PSS/E)™ Transmission analysis software;
• DigSilent Power Factory™ Transmission and Distribution analysis software;
• PSS Adept™ Distribution analysis software;
• Computer Aided design Tools such as AutoCAD and Microstation™ Draughting software;
• UPLAN-E™ Generation planning software;
• WASP™ Generation Planning software;
• CDEGS™, CYMGrid™ and IEEE80 software for Substation Earth Grid design;
• A vast range of Financial and Economic analysis software tools;
• PLSCADD™ (full suite).
Our Organisation offers the following Power Sector design and Project Management services:
Load Forecasting
• Review of past and present energy consumption data;
• Establishment of load forecasting models considering social and economic factors, population growth and total development plans;
• Determining the effect on load forecasts of geographic and environmental factors and distribution tariff structures.
Generation Planning
• Long term generation planning using probabilistic simulation and dynamic programming techniques;
• Alternative scenario analysis combining generation with transmission to supply dispersed load centres;
• Composite Power System reliability assessment;
• Optimisation of power generation installations that integrate and supply electricity to existing power systems, including determination of power station size, type and operating modes;
• Study of environmental benefits/costs for power installations, including pumped storage;
• Study of alternative generation types for small scale supply, including:
➢ Small/mini/micro hydro
➢ Solar
➢ Bagasse
➢ Cogeneration
• Power system Operation Optimisation.
Designs for Electrical Systems For Power Stations
SSMN have got extensive experience in the design of Electrical Systems for Coal-Fired and Hydro Power Stations:
• Electrical Reticulation system design;
• DC and Emergency systems;
• LV Switchgear;
• MV switchgear;
• DC switchgear;
• Earthing and Lightning protection;
• Metering and Measurements;
• Fire Protection Systems;
• Cabling systems, including routing and racking;
• Small Power and Lighting;
• Turbogenerators, including generator auxiliary and excitation systems;
• Hydrogenerators and auxiliaries;
• Condition monitoring systems for generators and transformers;
• Generator Step Up and Unit Transformers;
• Auxiliary transformers;
• Black Start system designs;
• Leading design reviews with suppliers for major Power Station equipment such as Turbogenerators, Hydrogenerators, Generator Step Up Transformers and Unit transformers;
• Power Station Auxiliary system Optimisation studies.
Control & Instrumentation System Designs for Power Stations
• Unit (Turbine/ Boiler) Control and Instrumentation;
• Balance of Plant Control and Instrumentation;
• Power supply Systems;
• Protection Systems;
• System Modelling;
• LAN/WANs;
• Bus systems: Profibus/ProfiNet, ModBus RTU, ModBus Plus, DeviceNet etc;
• Ethernet systems;
• SCADA system configuration: WinCC, RSView, InTouch, iFiX;
• Plant Optimisation;
• Field Equipment, cabling and earthing;
• Information systems;
• C&I integration an Support;
• Human/ Machine Interfacing and Ergonomics;
• Control room design;
• Control system Optimisation;
• Training Simulators.
Transmission Planning and Power System Modelling
• Planning and design of optimal least cost network development and enhancement;
• Establishment of computer models and Model Validations;
• Load flow analysis;
• Transient and dynamic stability studies;
• Fault calculations and selection of protection schemes and protective devices;
• Planning and design of and optimum placement of power system reactive power compensation equipment (capacitive/inductive compensation, Static VAr compensators and power system stabilisers);
• Development of User Defined models for power system equipment, excitation systems, governor controls for hydro and coal-fired power stations, transformer tap changers etc;
• Least cost system expansion studies, including optimisation of the transmission networks with respect to conductor size, reactive compensation/control, stability, and reliability and minimisation of losses;
• Financial, Economic and Cost/Benefit analysis;
• Design and specification of independent power producer installations for successful integration into the total power system;
• Black Start System Analysis.
Transmission Line Design
• Transmission line route selection and review;
• Conceptual design, design checking and approval;
• Terrain evaluation;
• Optimal conductor and earthwire selection with respect to type and size;
• Insulation/Insulation Coordination studies;
• Overhead line earthing design;
• Lightning performance analysis and modelling for power lines up to 765kV;
• Line structure designs (self-supporting, guyed V, cross rope);
• Analysis of bolt fixing technologies for line structures;
• Antivandal measures design and analysis;
• Foundation designs for overhead lines including geotechnical surveys (raked piles, pad and chimney, pad and plinth, micropiles, rock anchors etc.);
• Geotech surveys for undermines areas;
• Leading design reviews for overhead line designs not done in-house;
• Line termination design;
• Project costing and preparation of projected project cash flows;
• Detailed line design using PLS CADD software;
• Expert witness services for court cases;
• Witnessing of tower tests;
• FAT/SAT witnessing;
• Manufacturing capability review;
• Specialised power system studies (Voltage unbalance;
• Preparation of detailed specifications and complete Tender documents.
Distribution System Planning and Design
• Establishment of distribution network computer models and model validations;
• Development of rural distribution (electrification) master plans;
• Technical, economic and financial assessment of electrification schemes;
• Route survey and determination of optimum substation location;
• Transformer load management studies and transformer tap setting;
• Power factor correction, optimum placement and sizing of capacitors;
• Distribution system reliability evaluation;
• Distribution system optimisation including the establishment of conductor sizing and optimum normally open point;
• Overhead and cable feeder design and route planning;
• Design of Low Voltage and Medium Voltage aerial bundled conductor reticulation systems;
• Design of distribution substations (indoor, outdoor, pole mounted, single phase, etc);
• Layout design of indoor and outdoor switchgear;
• Fault calculations and selection of protection schemes and protective devices;
• Harmonic analysis and suppression methods;
• Reactive power compensation;
• Motor starting studies and analysis.
Substations and Switching Stations
• Conceptual design and design review;
• Earthmat designs to IEEE 80;
• Insulation coordination studies, including protection against lightning and switching surges;
• Detailed Primary plant and substation layout design;
• Detailed Secondary plant design (Auxiliary systems, protection, Telecomms/Telecontrol and control);
• Preparation of detailed specifications and complete Tender documents;
• Commissioning of plant and equipment.
Project Management
SSMN carries out Project Management for all projects according to the PMI Project Management Body of Knowledge methodology. We are conversant with the provisions of the New Engineering Contract (NEC), CIDB, Joint Building Contracts Committee (JBCC) and FIDIC forms of Contracts. Our scope covers the following:
• Preparation of specifications and bid documents;
• Tender evaluation and contract award recommendation;
• Construction management and supervision;
• Contract coordination;
• Financial Management;
• Project scheduling using MS Project and Primavera;
• Multidiscipline integration on a project;
• Configuration management;
• Procurement of material and equipment;
• Project performance review;
• Project Closeout and handover.
Operations Management Systems
• Maintenance and operational flexibility assessment;
• Application of automated mapping and facilities management systems for efficient operation and asset management;
• Design and specification of SCADA systems for regional and central control;
• Evaluation of performance indicators and targets.
• Planning for the initial installation or upgrading of energy management systems at load dispatch centres for the operation and control of generation, transmission and distribution facilities;
• Specification of energy management system functions to suit the specific requirements of the power system, with due regard to:
➢ budget available
➢ reliability
➢ existing staff expertise
• Energy auditing.
Engineering Audits and Forensic Engineering
• Assessment of performance of plant and equipment against specification;
• Investigation of plant and equipment failures and recommendations for improvement;
• Review of project performance and achievements of project objectives after implementation.
Environmental Impact Studies
• Scoping studies;
• Detailed Environmental Impact Assessments;
• Drafting of Project Environmental Management Plans;
• Assumption of Environmental Control Officer duties on various Projects.
