Load Flow and Short-Circuit Analysis

in a Romanian 110/20 kV Retrofitted Substation

Dan D. Micu, Stefan F. Braicu, Levente Czumbil, Denisa Stet
Department of Electrotechnics and Measurements, Technical University of Cluj-Napoca, Romania
dan.micu@ethm.utcluj.ro, braicuflorin@yahoo.com, levente.czumbil@ethm.utcluj.ro, denisa.stet@ethm.utcluj.ro

Abstract―In order to respond to the increasing energy
demand, consumption relocation and renewable energy
integration into the grid, the Romanian power distribution
substation have to be retrofitted. Load flow and short-circuit
analysis are carried out on a newly retrofitted substation form the
northern part of Romania. Obtained numerical simulation result
were used for the optimal design and proper parametrization of
the substation protection system and digital relays.
Index Terms—substations, load flow, numerical analysis,
short-circuit currents.
I. INTRODUCTION
Demographic studies [1] have shown that as the population
increases, urbanisation intensifies and economies grow, it is
expected that the global energy consumption will rise as well.
In 2010, the world consumed 12.32 billion toe, tonnes of oil
equivalent, (≈140,000 TWh) in comparison to 7.10 billion toe
(≈82,000 TWh) in 1980: an annual increase of 1.85%. In the
same period, the world population grew 1.44% annually from
4.5 to 6.9 billion [2]. Considering a similar tendency it is
projected that the global energy consumption levels will
increase in the following years with 36% from the level of
2010, until 2035 [3].
In the same time, to reduce CO2 emissions according to the
2020 Europe’s Climate and Energy Package and the European
Energy Roadmap 2050 [4], many European countries (between
them Romania) has focused on the development and
implementation of renewable energy generation plants (wind
or photovoltaic farms) by economically encouraging energy
provider utilities to uptake these renewable energy
technologies.
Therefore, to respond to the increasing energy demand, the
consumption relocation process that take place in Romania and
to fit in the newly built renewable energy power plants the
existing power network has to be upgraded and retrofitted. The
current paper investigates the retrofit process of a Romanian
110 kV by 20 kV substation and performs a load flow and
short-circuit analysis of the new substation configuration.
II. CASE STUDY
The analysed “Central Bistrita” substation is a 110 kV by
20 kV substation located near the industrial zone of the Bistrita
City (Bistrita-Nasaud county, Romania). It is the biggest
110/20 kV substation in the north of Transilvania with more
than 40 medium voltage 20 kV distribution cells supplying the
whole industrial park of Bistrita city.
The substation has a double bus configuration with three
110/20 kV transformer units (Trafo-1 16 MVA, Trafo-2
25 MVA and Trafo-3 40 MVA respectively). On the high
voltage side energy is supplied by 5 singe circuit 110kV
overhead transmission lines: Viisoara 1 & 2, Nasaud, Lesu
Ilvei and Unirea power line. The medium voltage side is
divided into two double bus systems interconnected through
cross coupling equipment [5].
Fig. 1. Investigated 110 kV / 20 kV Central Bistrita Substation.
At the first 20 kV double bus system there are connected 8
distribution line cells, 3 reserve line cells, a 1.8 MVAr
capacitor bank, a Zoyo5 20/0.4 kV 100 kVA transformer for
internal services and load flow measurements. Due the fact that
this double bus bar system supplies mostly rural overhead
medium voltage distribution lines, the neutral of this double
bus system is treated through an extinction coil connected to
the secondary winding of Trafo-1.
At the second 20 kV double bus system there are connected
27 distribution line cells, 5 reserve line cells, a 3 MVAr
capacitor bank, two load flow measurement and surge arrester
cells, two transformer cells for internal services with a Zoyo6
20/0.4 kV 1.6 MVA and a Dyo5 20/0.4 kV 630 kVA
transformer. This double bus systems supplies through
overhead 20 kV power lines and medium voltage underground
cable the entire Bistrita city industrial park. The neutral is
treated through two 600A extinction coils and resistances
connected to the secondary winding of Trafo-2 and Trafo-3
respectively (see Fig. 2)

978-1-5090-4650-8/16/$31.00 ©2016 IEEE

 Fig. 2. One line diagram of the investigated Bistrita Central 110 kV by 20 kV substation.
In order to increase power supply stability for the industrial
park of Bistrita city, to reduce maintenance costs, internal
power losses and to respond to the new power demand and
renewable energy supply conditions the substation was
subjected to a retrofit process. During the retrofit action old IO
type circuit breakers were changed with new gas insulated SF6
circuit breakers, new metal oxide surge arresters were placed
on the 110 kV power lines at substation entrance and on the
two medium voltage 20 kV double bus systems. The
conventional protection system was replaced with digital
7UT613 differential current and 7SJ6455 maximal current
relays. The medium voltage distribution line cells were
replaced with new prefabricated cells with vacuum circuit
breakers, 7SJ632 digital relays and measurement units with
long distance communication protocols (see Fig. 3).
Fig. 3. The implemented new 20 kV medium voltage distribution line cells.
In order to identify the optimal working configuration for
the new operating conditions, the retrofitted substation has
been implemented in the EDSA Paladin DesignBase software
package and load flow analysis have been carried out. Voltage
drop at different location inside the substation have been
computed for several normal operating conditions. Single
phase and multi-phase fault conditions have been investigated
evaluating short circuit currents inside the retrofitted
substation. Obtained simulation results were used for the
optimal design and proper parametrization of the substation
protection system and digital relays.
III. LOAD FLOW ANALYSIS
In the process of power systems analysis, the static
components, such as transformers, transmission lines, shunt
capacitors and reactors, should be represented by their
equivalent circuits consisting in R, L, C elements. The network
formed by these static components can be considered as a
linear network and represented by the corresponding
admittance or impedance matrix. In load flow calculation, the
generators and loads are treated as nonlinear components and
cannot be embodied in the linear network [6].
In this type of problems, the variables of equations needed
to be solved, are the nodal complex voltages and complex
powers. Therefore, power system load flow calculations can be
roughly considered as the problem of solving the node voltage
phasor for each node when the injecting complex power is
specified [7]:
n
Pp − jQ p = U
*
p Y
i =1
pi U i , p = 1,  , n (1)
where p represents each node of the system an the equilibrium
node wasn’t considered.
 If the complex power can be represented by equations of ∂Pp
complex voltages, then a nonlinear equation solving method, n pi = U p = A ′ ⋅ i U ′p + A′′ ⋅ i U ′p′
such as the Newton Raphson method, can be used. ∂U p
Considering the elements of the admittance matrix
expressed as Yij = Gij + jBij and the complex voltages ∂Q p 2 ∂Q p
j pp = = Pp − G pp ⋅ U p j pi = = − n pi
expressed as U i = U i′ + jU i′′ , equation (1) can be divided into ∂δ p ∂δ i
its real an imaginary part [7]: (7.b)
∂Q p 2

 [U (U G ) ( )]
n
' ' l pp = U p = Q p − B pp ⋅ U p
Pp = p i pi + U i'' B pi + U 'p' U i'' G pi − U i' B pi ∂U p
i =1
(2) ∂Q p
 [U (U G ) ( )]
n
Qp = '' ' '' '
+ U B pi + U U G pi − U B pi '' ' l pi = U i = −h pi
i =1
p i pi i p i i ∂Ui

Applying a finite difference approximation the following with:

matrix equation form is obtained: ( )(
Ai′ + jAi′′ = U i' + jU i'' ⋅ G pi + jB pi , i ≠ p) (8)
 ΔP1   j 1
11 j21
11  j1
1n j   ΔU 
2
1n 1
'
Equation (6) was solved iteratively by applying the Newton
 ΔQ   3 4 3 4   ''
 1 j 11 j11  j1n j   ΔU 
1n 1 Raphson method through the EDSA Paladin DesignBase
   =     ⋅   (3) software package.
   1   
 ΔPn   j ns j ns2 1 2 '
 j nn j nn  ΔU n 
ΔQn   j 3 4   ''  IV. LOAD FLOW RESULTS
   n1 j n41  3
j nn j nn  ΔU n 
The above equation could be rewritten in a simplified block A. Scenario 01 - Normal working conditions
matrix form as: First the load flow inside the retrofitted Bistrita Central
 ΔP   J 1 J 2   ΔU '  substation was analysed considering normal working
ΔQ  =  3 ⋅  (4) conditions with maximum power load on demand side. The
  J J 4  ΔU ''  substation is supplied through power lines Viisoara 1 & 2 with
where: 8.4 MVA and 8.2 MVA respectively, while the Nasaud 110 kV
substation is considered as voltage control node set to
∂Pp
J 1pi = = U p' G pi + U p'' B pi 111.5 kV. Power lines Lesu Ilvei and Unirea are supplied with
∂U 'p 2.6 MVA and 7.4 MVA respectively from the 110 kV double
∂Pp bus system of the Bistrita Central substation. The cross
J pi2 = = −U 'p B pi + U 'p' G pi coupling equipment of the 110 kV double bus system are
∂U i''
(5) considered connected.
∂Q p The first 20 kV double bus system is supplied from the
J 3pi = = −U p' B pi + U p'' G pi
∂U i' 110 kV side through Trafo-1 while the second double bus
system is supplied through Trafo-2. Trafo-3 is used as a
∂Q p
J pi4 = = −U p' G pi − U p'' B pi , i ≠ p connected reserve transformer. The cross coupling equipment
''
∂U i between the two 20 kV double bus system is disconnected.
Fig. 4 presents the loads connected to the two 20 kV double
Multiplying the δPp δU i and δQ p δU i coefficients with
bus system.
|Up| and expressing the voltage in polar form based on δP and
|Up|, the linearized Newton equation system (4) becomes [8]:
 ΔP   H N   Δδ 
ΔQ  =  J ⋅
L  (Δ U ) / U 
 (6)
  
where:
∂Pp 2
h pp = = −Q p ⋅ Z pp ⋅ U p
∂δ p
∂Pp
h pi = = Ai′ ⋅ U ′p′ − Ai′′ ⋅ U ′p (7.a)
∂δ i

∂Pp 2
n pp = U p = Pp + G pp ⋅ U p
∂U p Fig. 4. Loads connected to the 20 kV double bus systems during peak poawer
demand periods.
 After the load flow analysis was carried out on this first
substation work scenario it was determined that the total load
of the Bistrita Central substation during peak power demand
periods is 24.25 MVA and it has to be supplied with an
additional 7.8 MVA from the Nasaud 110 kV power line.
The first 20 kV double bus system is supplied with 6.8 MVA
through Trafo-1 while the second 20 kV double bus system is
supplied with 7.9 MVA through Trafo-2 (see Fig. 5). This
means a 42.9% load on Trafo-1 and 31.7% load on Trafo-2 Fig. 7. Loads from Nasaud 110 kV power line and through Trafo-1 in case of
respectively. working Scenario 02.

The internal losses of Trafo-1 in case of Scenario 02 is

97.8 kW / 1635 kVAr, while total loss of the substation with
the connected 20 kV distribution lines is 407 kW with a
required 2.2 MVAr.
Fig. 8 presents the voltage drop at the 110 kV and 20 kV
double bus systems, respectively the highest voltage drop level
at 20 kV consumer sites for working Scenario 02:

Fig. 5. Loads flow through Trafo-1 and Trafo-2 for working Scenario 01.

The internal losses of the two transformers are

27.9 kW / 466 kVAr and 20.5 kW / 469 kVAr respectively,
while total loss of the substation with the connected 20 kV
distribution lines is 374 kW with a required 1.6 MVAr.
Analysing the voltage drop at different location inside the
substation and at the interconnected 20 kV load sites the
highest voltage drop for this working scenario it was identified
at Siueti village, 3.89%. Fig. 6 presents the voltage drop at the
110 kV and 20 kV double bus systems, respectively the highest
voltage drop level at 20 kV consumer sites:
Fig. 8. Voltage drop at different locations for working Scenario 02.
C. Scenario 03 - Power supply through Trafo-2
For the third investigated substation working scenario it was
considered that during peak power demand period both 20 kV
double bus systems are supplied only through Trafo-2. The
cross coupling equipment between the 20 kV double bus
systems is connected and the reference node voltage at Nasaud
110 kV substation site has been set to 111.5 kV.
In this case the two 20 kV double bus systems are supplied
through Trafo-2 with 12.8 MVA. This means a 51% load on
Trafo-2 (see Fig. 9)

Fig. 6. Voltage drop at different locations for working Scenario 01.

B. Scenario 02 - Power supply through Trafo-1

The second investigated substation work scenario is when
during peak power demand period only one of the transformers
is working, one being out of use and the third one is under
revision. It is considered that the cross coupling equipment
between the two 20 kV double bus systems is connected and
the whole 20 kV side of the substation is supplied through
Trafo-1.
In order to keep voltage drop at consumer side between
acceptable limits, ±5%, the reference node voltage at Nasaud
110 kV substation site had to be increased to 112.5 kV. The
Nasaud 110 kV line has to supply the Bistrita Central
substation with 6 MVA. The two 20 kV double bus systems are
supplied through Trafo-1 with 13 MVA. This means a 81%
load on Trafo-1 (see Fig. 7)
Fig. 9. Loads from Nasaud 110 kV power line and through Trafo-2 in case of
working Scenario 03.
The internal losses of Trafo-2 in case of Scenario 03 is
53.7 kW / 1233 kVAr, while total loss of the substation with
the connected 20 kV distribution lines is 363 kW with a
required 1.8 MVAr. Fig. 10 presents the voltage drop at the
110 kV and 20 kV double bus systems, respectively the highest
voltage drop level at 20 kV consumer sites for working
Scenario 03:
Fig. 10. Voltage drop at different locations for working Scenario 03.
D. Scenario 04 - Power supply through Trafo-3
For working Scenario 04 it was considered that during peak
power demand period both 20 kV double bus systems are
supplied only through Trafo-3. The cross coupling equipment
between the 20 kV double bus systems is connected and the
reference node voltage at Nasaud 110 kV substation site has
been set to 111.5 kV.
In this case the two 20 kV double bus systems are supplied
through Trafo-3 with 12.7 MVA. This means a 26% load on
Trafo-3 (see Fig. 11)
Fig. 11. Loads from Nasaud 110 kV power line and through Trafo-2 in case
of working Scenario 04.
The internal losses of Trafo-3 in case of Scenario 04 is
16.9 kW / 472 kVAr, while total loss of the substation with the
connected 20 kV distribution lines is 320 kW with a required
1.1 MVAr. Fig. 12 presents the voltage drop at the 110 kV and
20 kV double bus systems, respectively the highest voltage
drop level at 20 kV consumer sites for working Scenario 04:
Fig. 12. Voltage drop at different locations for working Scenario 04.
E. Scenario 05 – Integration of PV production
In last working scenario it was considered the integration of
a 3 MW PV production unit connected through distribution cell
and a 4.5 km long underground cable. For the Bistrita Central
110 kV by 20 kV substation the working configuration
presented in Scenario 03 was considered. In this case the
substation has to be supplied from the Nasaud 110 kV power
line with only 3 MVA. The two 20 kV double bus systems are
supplied through Trafo-2 with 9.8 MVA. This means a 39%
load on Trafo-2 (see Fig. 13)
Fig. 13. Loads from Nasaud 110 kV power line and through Trafo-2 in case
of working Scenario 05.
The internal losses of Trafo-3 in case of Scenario 04 is
32 kW / 714 kVAr, while total loss of the substation with the
connected 20 kV distribution lines is 346 kW with a required
1.3 MVAr. Fig. 14 presents the voltage drop at the 110 kV and
20 kV double bus systems, respectively the highest voltage
drop level at 20 kV consumer sites for working Scenario 04:
Fig. 14. Voltage drop at different locations for working Scenario 05.
V. SHORT CIRCUIT ANALYSIS
The short circuit is an accidental electrical contact between
two or more conductors. The protective devices such as circuit
breakers and relays are applied to isolate faults and to minimize
damage and disruption in power supply [9]. Therefore, a short
circuit analysis has to be carried out in order to optimally
design and set up the protection system of the retrofitted
substation.
The most common short circuit faults are:
• Single Line to Ground Faults (L-G), 70% of the power
system faults;
• Line to Line Faults (L-L), 12% of power system faults;
• Line to Line with Ground Faults (L-L-G), 10%;
• Three Phase Fault, with or without ground (3P), 8%.
The short circuit current waveform of any fault type is
generally asymmetrical and is composed of a unidirectional
DC component and a symmetrical AC component. The DC
component decays to zero, and the amplitude of the
symmetrical AC component decays to a constant amplitude in
the steady-state.
The peak value of the any short-circuit current can be
determined based on the network X/R ration and the steady
state fault current value using the following multiplier:
 −
2πτ

MFPeak 
= 2 1+ e X R  (9)
 
 
where τ is the instant of time when fault occurs, for maximum
peak fault current values τ should be equal to ½ Cycles.
A. Short-Circuit Case A
For the short-circuit analysis of the Bistrita Central 110 kV
by 20 kV substation the normal working configuration used
before retrofit process (Scenario 01, presented above) has been
investigated. Fig. 15 presents the steady state, after 10 cycles,
short-circuit RMS current values evaluated at the 110 kV and
20 kV double bus systems:
Fig. 15. Short-Circuit steady state AC current values at different location for
substation working Scenario 01.
It can be observed that the highest short-circuit current
values are obtained at the second 20 kV double bus system
supplied from Trafo-2 (see Fig. 2) for 3 Phase faults, while the
most common Line-to-Ground fault produces the lowest steady
state fault current values.
B. Short-Circuit Case B
A second shor-circuit analysis has been carried out for a 3
MW PV production unit integration into the 20 kV distribution
network of Bistrita city. To evaluate peak and steady state
short-circuit current values at different locations inside the
Bistrita Central substation working Scenario 05, presented
above has been considered. Fig. 16 presents the obtained 3
Phase, Line-to-Line, Line-to-Ground and Line-to-Line with
Ground fault steady state short-circuit current values:
Fig. 16. Short-Circuit steady state AC current values at different location for
substation working Scenario 05.
The obtained peak and steady state short-circuit currents for
the investigated substation working conditions were used to
choose the optimal protection system equipment and to
properly set up the digital relays parameters in order to increase
energy supply stability at consumer side and at the level of
110 kV network.
CONCLUSIONS
A Romanian 110 kV by 20 kV substation has been retrofitted
in order to respond to the increasing energy demand, to
consumption relocation and renewable energy integration into
the grid. To reduce maintenance cost, internal power losses and
to increase energy supply stability a load flow analysis for
different substation working conditions has been carried out.
The best substation working configuration has been identified
for peak power demand periods (working Scenario 03). The
integration of new renewable energy production units into the
substation configuration has been analysed.
Short-circuit analysis has been carried out for the existing
substation configuration and for the future integration of PV
production units in order to optimally design and proper
parametrization of the substation protection system.
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