Power System Studies

IOM Power System Studies

At the core of modern electrical engineering and safety, Power Systems Studies are vital for ensuring the integrity, reliability, and efficiency of electrical systems. Our comprehensive range of services includes power system modelling, arc flash studies, load flow study, short circuit study, protection device evaluation, and relay settings and coordination study.

Each of these studies plays a crucial role in analyzing and optimizing the performance and safety of electrical infrastructures. Leveraging advanced tools like SKM and ETAP software, our team meticulously models critical components such as system buses, breakers, transformers, and more, ensuring a thorough assessment.

Power system modelling
Arc Flash Studies
Load flow study

Short circuit study
Protection device evaluation
Relay settings and coordination study

What is Power system modelling?

Power system modelling is the development of a single line diagram of the electrical system to be studied using SKM/ ETAP software. The following components will be modeled for the system studies:

System busses
Breakers
Transformers
Motors

Generators
Cables
Series/shunt reactors
Protective devices such as trip units, fuses, etc.

Please Note: We require component data like name plate information to be provided for accurate power system modelling. Software licensing is not included as part of the services.

What are Arc Flash studies?

An arc flash hazard assessment is needed to investigate the potential exposure to arc flash energy, which may be required to prevent injury and to determine appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE). For each bus in the 13.8kV and lower level three phase system, the incident energy and flash protection boundaries are calculated based on the IEEE 1584 standard and NFPA 70E publication. Short circuit and coordination study are required to determine the incident energy levels at the faulted bus.

What is a Load flow/Power Flow study?

LF studies are used to determine power system component loadings, steady state bus voltages, active and reactive power flows, transformer tap settings, system losses, etc. It is also used to determine equipment overloads and voltage condition of the system.

Power flow studies are used in planning, designing, operating and expanding power systems. This study is to analyze the steady state performance of the system under various operating conditions and system configurations.

What is short circuit study?

A short circuit study is to assess the potential impact and consequences of short circuits on an electrical power system. A short circuit study is performed for the following reasons.

Identify potential short circuit locations in the electrical system.
Evaluate the magnitude of short circuit currents.
Assess the adequacy of protective devices (such as circuit breakers and fuses) in clearing short circuits.
Ensure the safety of personnel and protection of equipment.
Short circuit calculations will be performed in accordance with ANSI standards to determine the minimum and maximum three phase, phase to phase and phase to ground faults at various bus locations.

What is Protective Device evaluation?

Protective device evaluation study compares various equipment ratings to the system normal and maximum voltages, maximum continuous rating, interrupting and momentary rating of the equipment.

Automation Services:

Our Automation Services are from system planning to commissioning, designed to seamlessly integrate advanced automation into your operations. We specialize in evaluating and implementing the most effective communication systems and scalable controllers, developing detailed communication architecture, and programming data concentrators for optimal system performance.

Our expertise extends to developing intuitive HMI graphics and implementing complex relay-based protection schemes. With a focus on detailed documentation and rigorous testing through FAT/SAT procedures, we ensure your automated systems are efficient, reliable, and tailored to meet the specific needs of your industrial processes.

System planning
System design
System development

Documentation
Assist in FAT/SAT and commissioning

System planning:

Assist in evaluating most economic and effective communication system design which will include the following:
Choosing the right scalable controller (like RTAC, PLC or software-based data aggregator etc.) for the application that will be robust and most economical.
Choosing proper communication paths like serial, ethernet based or fiber-based design based on size of the system
Selecting most economic and effective HMI package depending upon the system size
Selecting protocols, software and appropriate media converters based on third party equipment.

System design:

Develop communication architecture drawings (visio drawings) that will reflects overall system communications and connections between all equipment in the system
Develop data flow drawings to demonstrate the communication data path flows
Develop RSTP and IRIG based drawings

System development:

Program data concentrators like SEL-RTAC using various methods like Ladder logic, structure text and functional block.
Develop HMI graphics that might include objects like, Power system one-line, control windows, relay faceplates, system analog and binary data, data trending and Alarm screens
Programming communication parameters for various equipment in the power system.
Programming of SEL and GE relays with set points and communication parameters
Develop SEL quickset (.rdb) and GE enervista based relay settings.
Develop all scale (simple, moderate or complex logic) relay-based protection schemes like source transfer scheme, Transfer trips, Breaker failure and zone interlocking schemes. Using of various protocols like IEC-61850 based GOOSE, SEL Mirrorbits, DNP3, Modbus, MV90 etc

Documentation:

User manual
Functional design description
Project drawings
Detailed Relay settings reports

FAT/SAT and commissioning:

Develop detailed factory acceptance tests for conducting validation procedures
Develop detailed site acceptance testing procedures to include safety guidelines and approach
Perform 100% point to point checks for system designed and developed