Industrial Networks

Industrial networks are characterised by a highly specific, and in most cases sensitive, load, a high density of switchgear and distribution boards with high short-circuit power, short distances between the switchgear, predominant use of cables, operation of dynamic and non-linear loads, and frequent inhouse power generation.

Based on many years’ international experience in extensive industrial network analyses, e.g. in the automobile, mining, oil and chemical industries, DIgSILENT provides solutions for all the relevant issues:

  • Determination of the consumer lists and load structures
  • Preparation and review of plant designs and necessary expansions
  • Dimensioning of switchgear, distribution systems, cables and transformers based on load flow and short-circuit calculations in accordance with relevant standards
  • Development and dimensioning of connections of third-party grids and in-house power plants including the required standby power supply concepts
  • Definition of the basic parameters of generators and control systems
  • Design of highly reliable network areas
  • Integration of large drives and strongly fluctuating consumption
  • Ensuring the required grid quality and reliability of supply
  • Arc flash calculation based on the applicable standards

Consulting Services - Overview

  • Visualisation and design of optimal network topologies
  • Diesel/gas/converter-fed generation modelling in island mode and grid-connected modes of network operation
  • Selection and specification of key plant parameters
  • Power quality assessment in systems with high densities of power electronic drives
  • Standby power and auxiliary supply systems
  • Load shedding strategy development for process assurance
  • Cable analysis and selection
  • Stability in island mode operation
  • Evaluation of motor starting transients and strategies for the starting of motors and drives
  • Experience applicable to any industrial segment including oil and gas, manufacturing, mining, metals, chemical, marine and data centres
  • Determination of consumer lists and load structures
  • Preparation and review of plant designs and network expansions
  • Dimensioning of switchgear, distribution systems, cables and transformers based on load flow and short-circuit calculations in accordance with relevant standards
  • Development and dimensioning of connections of third-party grids and in-house power plants including the required standby power supply concepts
  • Definition of the basic parameters of generators and control systems
  • Design of highly reliable network areas
  • Integration of large drives and strongly fluctuating consumption
  • Assurance of the required grid quality and reliability of supply
  • Arc flash hazard calculation based on the applicable standards
  • Evaluation of motor starting and re-starting concepts as well as the application of automatic transfer switches in order to avoid long interruptions in a process, taking into account the dynamical behaviour of generators

Network Protection

Effective network protection is essential for power system reliability, ensuring that system stability is maintained during fault events.

DIgSILENT assists with the concept design and definition of protection settings for any kind of electrical network in order to achieve fast and selective fault clearance. The protection coordination studies are based on the use of manufacturer-specific PowerFactory relay models where possible, in combination with advanced calculation tools and result visualisations.

Consulting Services - Overview

  • Design and dimensioning of network protection schemes for all voltage levels and topologies
  • Evaluation and improvement of existing protection schemes for transmission, distribution and industrial networks
  • Visualisation of protection settings and the effects of faults and network operating points
  • Comprehensive auditing and optimisation of the selectivity of existing protection systems
  • Design of special protection concepts such as reverse blocking and transfer tripping schemes based on signal comparison
  • Development and implementation of protection databases based on PowerFactory and StationWare
  • Integration of an advanced system for the management of relay settings using the software StationWare and setup of the bidirectional interface with PowerFactory
  • Detailed fault analysis by means of steady-state and dynamic short-circuit calculations, taking the behavior of CTs and specific setting parameters of the protection systems into account, as well as considering the dynamic behaviour of the grid
  • Wide area protection studies
  • Protection concepts to avoid unwanted islanding
  • Comprehensive consideration of relay models during dynamic simulations in order to investigate the behaviour of the relays in response to oscillations in the grid
Services