Professional Certificate of Competency in Substation Design (Main Equipment)

The course is composed of 12 modules, covering topics such as, calculating substation capacity, selecting a suitable configuration, planning for system studies, laying out an outdoor high voltage switchyard showing main and auxiliary equipment, planning an indoor substation with medium voltage switchgear, and choosing equipment for fault limiting, VAR compensation and harmonic control and adjusting the switchyard layout to include these systems.

Module 1: Role of Substations in an Electrical Network, Types and Configurations of Substations

• Networks-an introduction
• Substations as network nodes
• Substation types based on their position in the network
• Optimizing the location of a substation
• Configurations of HV substations based on their bus arrangement (typical SLD)
• Data on the industrial loads required for the design of the electrical supply substation
• Load assumptions for residential and commercial consumers
• Environmental issues in the location of a switchyard and mitigation measures
• Planning permit and zoning regulations

Module 2: Examples/Case Studies of Substation Location and Selection of Configuration

• Using a given set of data of loads and locations: perform the design of a typical HV substation and develop a suitable configuration, develop the single line diagram, calculate the current rating of busbars and feeders, perform busbar conductor sizing calculation

Module 3: System Studies Required for Finalising Equipment Ratings

• Load flow study (active/reactive loads)
• Short circuit study
• Harmonic flow
• Voltage profile and reactive power compensation
• Stability study
• Other calculations normally performed for substation design

Module 4: Examples/Case Studies of System Studies Required and System Study Specifications

• Develop the specification for a system study for the substation of the previous module including studies to be made, points which should be studied, expected outcomes, impact on basic ratings, other issues such as handling excessive fault level and poor voltage conditions

Module 5: Overview of Switchyard Equipment and Their Ordering Specifications

• Main (primary) equipment: Busbars, disconnectors, circuit breakers, instrument transformers, lightning arrestors, power transformers, structures
• Layout options
• Sectional and Safety clearances and their influence on the layout
• Design of busbars (strung/tubular) and interconnections between equipment
• Interconnecting cables and use of marshaling kiosks

Module 6: Examples/Case Studies of Substation Equipment Ratings/Ordering Specifications

• Elaboration of example continued from modules 3 and 4: work out detailed ratings of equipment, update the single line diagram, layout of HV switchyard and sectional views, clearances, internal movements, and enhanced clearances

Module 7: Substation Equipment for Fault Limiting, Pf Compensation

• Need for and application of fault limiting reactors, power factor compensation equipment, static VAR compensators
• Principles of design and selection of ratings for fault limiting and pf compensation

Module 8: Substation Equipment for Harmonic Control

• What is meant by harmonics?
• The sources of harmonic generation
• The effect of harmonics on electrical equipment
• Applicable limits of harmonic distortion THD (V) and THD (I)
• Harmonic control measures: control at source, control by passive filters, control by active filters
• Rating of passive filters
• Integration of filters and PFC during design

Module 9: Overview of Medium Voltage (Mv) Metal Enclosed Substation Equipment

• Application of medium voltage in distribution networks
• Main equipment: metal-enclosed switchgear, isolators, circuit breakers, instrument transformers, distribution transformers
• Auxiliary systems
• Control, protection, and auxiliary power
• Cabling in substations
• Ventilation and fire safety
• Typical SLD
• Layout options
• Work clearances
• Arc safety and fire safety in MV installations

Module 10: Examples/Case Studies of Mv Substation Equipment Design

• Add an MV distribution requirement to the HV switchyard of module 6 with associated equipment for PFC and harmonic control. Based on the same: prepare a single line diagram for MV equipment, calculate ratings of PFC and harmonic control equipment

Module 11: Mv Substation Design and Specifications

• Sizing of main equipment of MV substations
• Layout of typical MV indoor substation
• Facilities required
• Switchgear room planning
• Transformers-Indoor/outdoor options
• Space for auxiliary supply equipment
• Cabling as a part of building planning

Module 12: Examples/Case Studies of Mv Substation Equipment Layout

Based on the design details of module 11: work out space requirement for the switchgear, work out the space requirement for PFC and harmonic control equipment considering both indoor and outdoor options, prepare a layout in relation to the HV switchyard of module 6

To obtain a certificate of completion for EIT’s Professional Certificate of Competency course, students must achieve a 65% attendance rate at the live, online fortnightly webinars.  Detailed summaries or notes can be submitted in lieu of attendance.  In addition, students must obtain a mark of 60% in the set assignments which could take the form of written assignments and practical assignments. Students must also obtain a mark of 100% in quizzes.  If a student does not achieve the required score, they will be given an opportunity to resubmit the assignment to obtain the required score.

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Hashemi Ford has over 20 years international experience in electrical power industry with a focus on modelling, analysis, planning and operation of power systems including distribution, sub-transmission and transmission networks. He has been involved in modelling and analysis of major projects including HVDC interconnectors and wind farms.

Learn about our instructors.

You are expected to spend approximately 5-8 hours per week learning the course content. This includes attending fortnightly webinars that run for about 90 minutes to facilitate class discussion and allow you to ask questions. This professional development program is delivered online and has been designed to fit around full-time work. It will take three months to complete.

Registrations are open for our upcoming intakes. Please ensure you book your place at least one week before the start date of the program.