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    Cable and OH Line in Wind Power Plants

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    cegorrell
    The power generated in the current generation of Wind Power Plants has exceeded the through-put power capacity of most distribution substations and feeder systems. The increased power capacity requires more extensive and higher capacity collection systems with fewer transformer and switch grounding locations. A wind power plant can be thought of as a "reverse" load Uses larger conductors and higher amperage rated components 34.5kV is most common voltage for WPPs used in North america.

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    Cable and OH Line in Wind Power Plants

    Uploaded by

    cegorrell
    127 views34 pages
    The power generated in the current generation of Wind Power Plants has exceeded the through-put power capacity of most distribution substations and feeder systems. The increased power capacity requires more extensive and higher capacity collection systems with fewer transformer and switch grounding locations. A wind power plant can be thought of as a "reverse" load Uses larger conductors and higher amperage rated components 34.5kV is most common voltage for WPPs used in North america.

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    The power generated in the current generation of Wind Power Plants has exceeded the through-put power capacity of most distribution substations and feeder systems. The increased power capacity requires more extensive and higher capacity collection systems with fewer transformer and switch grounding locations. A wind power plant can be thought of as a "reverse" load Uses larger conductors and higher amperage rated components 34.5kV is most common voltage for WPPs used in North america.

    Copyright:

    Attribution Non-Commercial (BY-NC)
    Download as PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd
    Download as pdf or txt
    127 views34 pages

    Cable and OH Line in Wind Power Plants

    Uploaded by

    cegorrell
    The power generated in the current generation of Wind Power Plants has exceeded the through-put power capacity of most distribution substations and feeder systems. The increased power capacity requires more extensive and higher capacity collection systems with fewer transformer and switch grounding locations. A wind power plant can be thought of as a "reverse" load Uses larger conductors and higher amperage rated components 34.5kV is most common voltage for WPPs used in North america.

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    Attribution Non-Commercial (BY-NC)
    Download as PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd
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    You are on page 1of 34

    Design and Application of Cables and Overhead Lines in Wind Power Plants

    IEEE PES T&D Conference and Expo


    New Orleans, LA April 20, 2010

    Wayne Dilling, P.E. Sr. Electrical Manager


    Mortenson Construction

    2010

    IEEE PES Wind Plant Collector System Design Working Group

    Design and Application of Cables and Overhead Lines in Wind Power Plants
    The power generated in the current generation of wind power plants has exceeded the through-put power capacity of most distribution substations and feeder systems. The increased power capacity requires more extensive and higher capacity collection systems with fewer transformer and switch grounding locations, taller structures with greater lightning strike exposure, and higher grid connection voltages.
    Wind Plant Collector System Design WG
    2

    Overview
    Underground or Overhead? Underground MV Cable and Construction Cable Properties Installation Methods/Practices Cable Design Parameters Overhead Conductor and Construction Design Considerations Overhead to Underground Transitions
    Wind Plant Collector System Design WG
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    Overview
    A wind power plant collection system is similar to a utility distribution system but designed for a different purpose.
    A wind power plant (WPP) can be thought of as a reverse load Uses larger conductors and higher amperage rated components 34.5kV is most common voltage for WPPs used in North America and is the highest voltage class for the common URD components available.

    Wind Plant Collector System Design WG

    Underground or Overhead?
    Underground Considerations:
    PROS CONS Aesthetics- Typically, the landowners Generally limited to a maximum of 25 preference and often a requirement to -30 MWs per circuit secure land during project development Limited impact on crane travel during construction Underground hazards/obstacles- drain tile, gas & oil lines, ravines, wetlands

    Less frequent outages compared to OH Duration of outages is longer due to time in locating and repairing faults Losses tend to be less due to larger conductor sizes used for similar MW loading as compared to OH Trenching/plowing difficult in rocky regions.

    Wind Plant Collector System Design WG

    Underground or Overhead?
    Overhead Considerations:
    PROS More MWs able to be carried on a single circuit (generally up to 50-60 MWs) Multiple circuits can be strung on a single structure Outage durations usually less since faults easily located and repaired CONS Can impede crane travel during construction Aesthetic concerns with Landowners

    More frequent outages as compared to UG Losses tend to be higher since generally more MWs are placed on a circuit

    Wind Plant Collector System Design WG

    Underground MV Cable & Construction Cable Properties


    Conductor Selection:
    Copper or Aluminum
    Jacket Concentric neutral or shield Insulation Conductor

    Insulation shield

    Conductor shield

    Aluminum is the most commonly used conductor in WPP construction due to economics (copper is more than 3X the cost of aluminum and even considering losses over a 20-year operating life, copper will rarely overcome this cost differential)

    Wind Plant Collector System Design WG

    Underground MV Cable & Construction Cable Properties


    Insulation:
    Contains the voltage between the conductor and the Concentric Shield
    Insulation shield Conductor shield Jacket Concentric neutral or shield Insulation Conductor

    Two predominant types, EPR and TR-XLPE Two predominant thicknesses, 100% and 133% Two predominant temperature ratings, MV-90 and MV-105

    Wind Plant Collector System Design WG

    Underground MV Cable & Construction Cable Properties


    InsulationEPR (Ethylene Propylene Rubber) More flexible due to its rubber properties Softer than XLPE (some users report that slightly more care is required during installation than TR-XLPE) Higher dielectric constant leading to higher losses (not a significant factor for basis of selection) Traditionally more expensive than TR-XLPE

    Wind Plant Collector System Design WG

    Underground MV Cable & Construction Cable Properties


    InsulationTR-XLPE (Tree Retardant- Cross Linked Polyethylene) Most commonly used insulation in WPP construction Significantly cleaner and improved properties than the XLPE introduced in the mid 1960s that is known infamously for failures Lower Dielectric Losses compared to EPR Traditionally lowest capital cost
    Wind Plant Collector System Design WG
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    Underground MV Cable & Construction Cable Properties


    InsulationThickness (100% or 133%) 100% (345mils at 34.5kV) permitted when the line-to-ground faults are cleared within 1 minute; common for grounded systems. 133% (420mils at 34.5kV) used when line-to-ground faults are cleared within 1 hour; common for ungrounded systems. 100% insulation is most commonly used in wind power plants
    Wind Plant Collector System Design WG
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    Underground MV Cable & Construction Cable Properties


    InsulationTemperature Rating (MV-90 and MV-105) MV-90: operation at 90degC normal conditions / 130degC under emergency overloads. MV-105: operation at 105degC normal conditions / 140degC under emergency overloads. Operating at higher temperatures results in higher losses therefore MV-90 is most often selected for WPP applications (note, most terminations and connectors are only rated to 90degC)

    Wind Plant Collector System Design WG

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    Underground MV Cable & Construction Cable Properties


    Jacket Material
    Most common: PVC (polyvinyl chloride) LLDPE (linear low density polyethylene) LLDPE exhibits better mechanical properties and is more resistant to moisture ingress than PVC

    Wind Plant Collector System Design WG

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    Underground MV Cable & Construction Installation Methods/Practices

    Wind Plant Collector System Design WG

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    Underground MV Cable & Construction Installation Methods/Practices

    Typical Cable Installation Detail

    Wind Plant Collector System Design WG

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    Underground MV Cable & Construction Installation Methods/Practices


    Direct Buried either Trenching or Plowing

    Conduit/duct bank not practical for length of runs involved


    Wind Plant Collector System Design WG
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    Underground MV Cable & Construction Installation Methods/Practices


    Trenching Methods- Multi-pass method where trench, cable laying, bedding performed separately

    Wind Plant Collector System Design WG

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    Underground MV Cable & Construction Installation Methods/Practices


    Trenching Methods- Single-pass, all activities performed in a single process

    Wind Plant Collector System Design WG

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    Underground MV Cable & Construction Installation Methods/Practices


    Difficult terrain can be overcome with proper bedding/burial

    Wind Plant Collector System Design WG

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    Underground MV Cable & Construction Installation Methods/Practices


    PlowingIssues
    Not practical in rocky areas Drain tile damage will not be noticed until the next rain!! Must ensure the plow shoe allows proper cable configuration per design (trefoil or flat)

    Drain Tile Strike (common in Farm fields, can be encountered as much as every 125)
    20

    Wind Plant Collector System Design WG

    Underground MV Cable & Construction Installation Methods/Practices


    Cable Splicing - With long distances between turbines is unavoidable
    Most Failures on WPP experienced at splices and joints Poor installation practices and inexperienced crews lead to failures (Tenting is recommended and splicers should be qualified by splice kit supplier prior to performing work)

    Wind Plant Collector System Design WG

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    Underground MV Cable & Construction Installation Methods/Practices


    Cable Splicing/Junctions- Types

    Above Grade cable Joint

    Above Grade Sectionalizing Cabinet

    Direct Bury Splice

    Wind Plant Collector System Design WG

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    Underground MV Cable & Construction Cable Design Parameters


    Ampacity Calculation Considerations: Soil Thermal Properties Cable Configuration (flat or trefoil) Number of Circuits Shield Bonding (multi-point, single-point, crossbonding) Others (load factor, conduit, direct bury, heat sources, etc.)

    Wind Plant Collector System Design WG

    23

    Underground MV Cable & Construction Cable Design Parameters


    Soil Thermal Resistivity
    Cable ampacity is significantly influenced by soil thermal resistivity According to Annex B in the NEC, 90% of soil in U.S. has a Rho value of 90? If true, wind plants are located on the other 10%!
    Wind Plant Collector System Design WG

    (90C Conductor, 25C earth, 36IN depth,100%LF, SC Shield)

    Typical Rho Values seen for wind plants vary from 125-300
    24

    Underground MV Cable & Construction Cable Design Parameters


    Soil Thermal Resistivity
    Soil thermal resistivity depends on the soil type and physical conditions As the Moisture Content or Dry Density decreases, the thermal resistivity increases High earth-cable interface temperatures can dry the soil resulting in an increase in thermal resistivity and thus conductor temperature Limiting the earth interface temperature in the 50 to 65C range may be necessary to prevent Thermal Runaway
    Wind Plant Collector System Design WG
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    Underground MV Cable & Construction


    Cable Design Parameters (Shield Resistance)
    When the shields of single-conductor cables are bonded and grounded at multiple points, cable ampacities may be significantly reduced by the resultant circulating current losses This effect is most apparent on spaced single-conductor cables with large conductor sizes and low resistance shields For smaller conductor sizes, the variation of ampacity with shield resistance is relatively small

    Wind Plant Collector System Design WG

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    Underground MV Cable & Construction Cable Design Parameters


    Small conductor sizes with short circuit (S/C) shields As spacing increases the ampacity increases due to a reduction in mutual heating Large conductor sizes with S/C shields As spacing increases the ampacity decreases due to an increase in shield circulating current losses
    Cable Configuration: (Trefoil vs. Flat)

    (90C Conductor, 25C earth, 36IN depth,100%LF, SC Shield, Flat configuration at 7.5IN separation)

    Wind Plant Collector System Design WG

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    Underground MV Cable & Construction Cable Design Parameters


    Shield Bonding Alternatives

    Single-Point Bonded Shields Multi-Point Bonded Shields (Open-Circuit) (Short-Circuit)

    Cross-Bonded Shields

    Wind Plant Collector System Design WG

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    Underground MV Cable & Construction Cable Design Parameters


    Single Point Bonded Shields (Open-Circuit Shields)
    Shield circulating current losses eliminated regardless of configuration Cable circuit length may be limited by the voltage induced in shield

    Solidly Bonded & Grounded Shields (Short-Circuit Shields)


    Simplest solution to the problem of induced shield voltages Available ampacity can be significantly reduced on large single-conductor cables with low resistance shields due to circulating current losses

    Cross Bonded Shields


    Prevention of induced shield voltages and reduction of shield losses Can be economically justified on large conductors circuits and extremely heavy loads where all heat generation has to be minimized Consists of sectionalizing the shields into minor sections and cross connecting them so that total induced voltage is essentially neutralized in three consecutive sections

    Wind Plant Collector System Design WG

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    Underground MV Cable & Construction Cable Design Parameters


    Shield Sizing Considerations Must be sized to handle the available fault current, particular attention should be made to those conductors nearest the substation.

    Wind Plant Collector System Design WG

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    Overhead Conductor & Construction -Transmission level conductor applied at SubTransmission Level Voltage

    Wind Plant Collector System Design WG

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    Overhead Conductor & Construction Design Considerations


    Conductor type and size Sized based on ampacity requirements but primary consideration is for losses. Structure type, strength, configuration, and insulator size Selected based on NESC and regional loading considerations (wind, ice, etc.) and minimizing cost while avoiding excessive outages due to mechanical failure and lightning strikes.

    Wind Plant Collector System Design WG

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    Overhead Conductor & Construction Design Considerations


    Aeolian Vibration and GallopingThe wake effect of the wind turbine must be considered for OH construction in close proximity to the wind turbine tower. Turbines up to a mile away could pose problems. Unventilated or Ventilated Riser-The riser portion of the circuit (underground to overhead) may be the limiting factor for the underground circuit

    (90C Conductor, trefoil, 90 Rho, 25C earth, 36IN depth,100%LF, SC Shield- Riser 40C air, full sun, no wind)

    Wind Plant Collector System Design WG

    33

    Design and Application of Cables & Overhead Lines in Wind Power Plants
    Questions?

    Wayne Dilling, PE Sr. Electrical Manager


    Feeding time at a wind plant

    Wind Plant Collector System Design WG

    34

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