GAS INSULALED SWITCHYARD (GIS)

Introduction

TYPES OF SWITCHYARD


AIS (Air Insulated Switchyard)

GIS (Gas Insulated Switchyard)

What is GIS ?
GIS is metal-enclosed switchgear in which the insulation is obtained by an insulating gas other than air at atmospheric pressure

Insulating Gas Sulphur Hexafluoride(SF6) gas has excellent dielectric properties and is used as the insulating medium between energized parts and the metal encapsulation.

Background
Constraints in space availability in urban areas and hilly terrain as well as increasing volume of city distribution networks led to evolution of GIS technology. GIS was first introduced in 1965. Reliability, Compactness, Economic Advantages has resulted in widespread applications GIS technology widely accepted and employed all over the world.

SF6 Gas


SF6 is an excellent dielectric medium. Under comparable conditions, its dielectric strength is more than twice that of air. SF6 is an excellent arc-quenching medium, for the three arcfollowing reasons : - SF6 high dissociation energy efficiently cools down the arc, - the fluor ions resulting from dissociation are highly electronegative and seize quickly the free electrons. These are ineffective as current carriers. - the very fast recombination of dissociated SF6 molecules allows very severe voltage recoveries.

Dielectric Properties of SF6 Gas

PROPERTIES OF SF6
Heavy chemically inert non toxic gas Colourless and odourless and non flammable No poisonous effect on human body, but decomposition products are harmful. It is gaseous at normal room temperatures and pressures Density 6.16 g/l at 20 C and 760 torr. (about 5 times the density of air). Critical temperature 45.6 C and can be liquified by compression Liquification temperature under normal conditions is 27C at a pressure of 12 kg/sq.cm This gas is highly stable. No permanent deterioration of the gas. Stability of the gas is such that it shows no sign of Chemical Change at temperatures well above those at which switch oil begins to oxidize and decompose. Dielectric properties of SF6 remains unchanged even at low temperatures. Contd

PROPERTIES OF SF6
Decomposition occurs on exposure to electric arc but the dissociation products being the lower order fluoride gases SF2 and SF4 (these largely recombine on cooling) plus some metallic fluoride in the form of an insulating powder. This and any remaining gases can be readily absorbed by actuated alumina in suitably placed filters.

MERITS OF GIS
      

COMPACTNESS HIGHER RELIABILITY AND AVAILABILITY NEGLEGIBLE MAINTENANCE ENVIRONMENTAL FRIENDLY LOWER ERECTION TIME SAFETY LOW LIFE CYCLE COST

COMPACTNESS
 

Compact dimensions. Land requirement is 101020% of AIS. Saving in land depends upon voltage level. May be installed in middle of load centre of urban or industrial area.

Impact of insulating medium on size of the switchyard Voltage Level Bay width AIS 132 kV 12 m 220 kV 400 kV 765 kV 18 m 27 m 51.5 m Bay width GIS 1m 2m 3.6 m 6.5 m

Single line diagram of a 765 kV Switchyard

765 kV Swyd. With 1 and half breaker scheme Size of AIS = 451m X 355m, 10 Bays

765 kV Swyd. With 1 and half breaker scheme Size of GIS = 151m X 295m, 10 Bays

Comparision (Typical)
   

Area (AIS) = 451m X 355m = 160105 m2 Area (GIS) = 151m X 295m = 44545 m2 Reduction in space = 72 % This can further downsized if we replace the one and half breaker scheme in AIS with double bus scheme in GIS as reliability (as availability of GIS with double bus is even better than AIS with one and half breaker scheme)

GIS and AIS size comparison in NTPC Projects

Tapovan Vishnugad HEPP 520MW Length Width Area No of Bays Area /Bay Scheme Area reduction in Percentage( per bay) Double Bus 114 m 18m 5624m2 (2052m2 +3572m2) 7 803 Breaker and Half 88 % Koldam HEPP 800MW 250m 240m 60000m2 9 6666.66

Example of Replacement of a Substation

Existing AIS substation (72kV-1200kA, 2 X 15MVA)

After replacement (Gas Insulated Substation)

REPLACEMENT/UPGRADATION


GIS can be used for replacement of AIS in the event of growing power demand without the additional land requirements. Space for existing 8-10 bay 132 KV AIS 8could be easily utilized for upgrading to 1414-18 bays 220 KV / 400KV GIS.

RELIABILITY & AVAILABILITY



Less failure/ maintenance as exposure of live components to weather is eliminated. Almost nil maintenance upto 10 years. Due to enclosed bus bar, bus faults are minimal.

Maintenance


Due to the tightly-sealed enclosures, GIS need minimum maintenance and therefore regarded as maintenance-free under normal operating conditions. Visual inspection is carried out bay by bay without any need for outages or the opening of gas compartments. Major inspection is not required before atleast 10 years of operation.

Erection and Commissioning

Quick installation and erection is facilitated because of :


Delivery of the GIS bays in easy-to-handle factory assembled modular units. Use of relatively few special tools for erection. Small number of system components

 

Contd
Commissioning:


Pre commissioning activities are not significant as the equipments are pre tested at factory. Take less time to check all switching devices and electrical circuits. All flanges are double-checked for tightness especially those fitted on site. High voltage test done on primary circuit. All tests are performed in accordance with IEC standards.

SAFETY


The metal encapsulated GIS provides high degree of safety for operator and other personnel due to the fact that , it is impossible to touch any live part of switchyard. GIS equipments are built up in compartments and isolated from each other. This prevents spreading of failure.

Environmental Impact


SF6 has a high material-based global warming potential (GWP) and is included in the six gas basket of the Kyoto Protocol . Research shows that the total worldwide emissions of SF6 contribute only about 0.1 percent of the overall anthropogenic greenhouse effect. This includes both the SF6 emissions from the use in electricity transmission and distribution systems (about 70-80 % of the global SF6 production) and those from all other uses.

Environmental Impact


The direct contribution of SF6 to greenhouse gas emissions is relatively low and the advantages of a reliable electrical system outweigh these negatives. Lower system losses and less materials required during manufacture reduce the life cycle carbon emissions, potentially offsetting the negative effects of SF6. Various life cycle analysis which considers materials, manufacture, ohmic losses and SF6 emissions shows that overall GIS contributes 30% less to global warming than AIS.

TECHNO-ECONOMIC TECHNOFEASIBILITY OF GIS



Initial equipment cost is higher. Merits/ Considerations in respect to higher initial equipment expenditure makes GIS technotechno-economic feasible.

Contd
Life cycle of GIS is about 50 years, where as for AIS life cycle is 25 years.  Approximate cost per bay for 400 KV of GIS & AIS is as follows: - GIS 7-8 crores - AIS 4-5 crores. Hence initial cost of GIS is approximately 1.5-1.7 times that of AIS.  When all merits over the life cycle of GIS is considered then GIS becomes techno-economic feasible than AIS.


LIFE CYCLE COST OF GIS

Switchgear Solution
Life Cycle cost Planning and Engineering Real estate Primary equipment Earthwork, civil work, structures Electrical assembly and erection Maintenance Outage Life cycle costs after 10 years 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 80% 40% 150% 60% 70% 50% 50% 71%

AIS

GIS

Components of GIS
      

Circuit breakers Isolators Current Transformers Voltage transformers Surge arrestors GIS bushings GIS bus bars

300 KV GIS Substation

APLICATION OF GIS


   

Underground and over ground power houses Grid substations Distribution sub stations in metros Refineries/chemical plants Near sea coast, Polluted areas, Desert etc.

GIS Switchyard Layouts

Layout Plan of Tapovan Switchyard GIS Hall

Section of Tapovan Transformer & GIS Hall

Isometric View of Transformer hall and GIS Floor

TAPOVAN POTHEAD YARD

Cross Section of Parbati HEPP

Cross Section of Lower Subansari HEPP

Manufacturers of GIS
     

AREVA, FRANCE SIEMENS, GERMANY ABB, SWITZERLAND HYOSUNG, KOREA HITACHI, JAPAN TOSHIBA, JAPAN

CONCLUSION
 

   

GIS is getting acceptance on account of technical merits. Excellent adoptability due to Low space requirement and high dielectric strength of SF6 gas. Safety to operators and equipment. Short erection and commissioning time. Reduced requirement of maintenance. Initial cost of GIS is higher than AIS, but when all merits and life cycle cost of GIS is considered then GIS becomes techno-economic feasible than AIS. techno-

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