Power System

Network

C H O O S I N G B E T W E E N A I S & G I S S U B S TAT I O N
DESIGN
 For the last sixty years, gas-insulated substation (GIS) has been used in applications related to substations all over the
world, and this use of the technology is becoming an increasingly common asset for those who make use of
substations. GIS is becoming very popular among power producers, including utilities, municipalities, independent

Introduction power producers, and other non-utility power producers.

However, before settling on either a standard AIS, GIS, or a system that combines the two technologies, there are a
number of considerations that need to be taken into account. Because there is such a wealth of data, all of which may
be viewed from a variety of perspectives, the decision-making process for a user can become rather challenging.
Table of Content
• Benefits & Drawback of AIS & GIS
– AIS vs GIS Substation Evaluation
• Power System Factors
• Environment Factors
• Cheaper AIS or More Expensive GIS
• Final Decision in choosing Between AIS & GIS
Benefits & Drawback of AIS & GIS
• It is crucial to identify and organize the benefits and drawbacks of AIS and GIS in a
hierarchical fashion in order to help with the decision-making process. After that, it is
necessary to examine the aspects according to the requirements of the user.
• The most notable benefit of GIS solutions is their ability to save space; their substation
footprints are 15–25% smaller than those of identical AIS substations.
• However, users are making use of additional advantages of GIS, such as enhancing the
resilience of key infrastructure, avoiding hurdles in the way of obtaining permits, and
shortening the duration of scheduled outages.
1.1Appearance
& Community
Response

• A substation’s area, height, and visibility may be heavily

impacted by aesthetic concerns as well as the level of
approval it receives from the local population. The AIS is
typically more difficult to conceal than the GIS.
1.2 Substation Altitude & Dielectric Strength
• Equipment that uses air as an insulating and cooling medium will experience a greater
increase in temperature and a decrease in dielectric strength at elevations greater than sea
level. Adjustments to the AIS and GIS layouts may be necessary depending on the actual
substation height.
1.3 Atmospheric Contamination
• Exposed electrical insulation is vulnerable to airborne pollutants such salt, dust, debris, and industrial
pollution. Indoor placement is the norm for GIS systems. In addition, most GIS parts are enclosed and
hermetically sealed, making GIS the best option even when the air quality is low.
• If they are not removed, the pollutants that have accumulated on the high-voltage insulators in your
transmission, substation, and distribution substations have the potential to wreak horrific devastation.
• Few examples of common forms of contaminations are as follows
– Salt Fog
– Ocean Spray
– Desert Sand
– Cement dust
– Fly ash / Industrial vapors
1.4 Service Availability
• The percentage of time that the service is available and the (steady-state) probability that
power will be available.
• In comparison with AIS, GIS has a good probability that power will be available due to its
construction nature.
1.5 Controlling &
Monitoring
• Provisions for controlling and monitoring substation
equipment can either be local, which means they are
housed within the substation, or remote, which means
they are situated in a different place, most commonly an
operation center. Because most switches are often
motor operated, GIS may offer more options and
features for control than other systems.
• However, in GIS these functions are collected inside
an LCC (local control cabinet) and have to be
integrated with the customer’s existing automation.
1.6 Substation Capacity
• The capacity of a substation to carry a load, which is often described in relation to the MVA
rating of a power transformer and is determined by a system load study. The AIS and GIS
switching equipment needs to be coordinated with the capacity of the substation.
• Additionally, there is a good chance that enhanced capacity projects will benefit further from
the use of GIS.
1.7 Commissioning Procedure
• Before putting a substation into
operation, there is a procedure that
must be completed, which
involves inspecting, testing, and
documenting each of the primary
and secondary comp
• The amount of time
spent inspecting and testing can be
cut down significantly by using
preassembled and pretested GIS
shipment modules.onents as
thoroughly and methodically as
feasible.
1.8 Construction
Complexity
• In most cases, the costs and amount of time required for
field installation can be reduced by using preassembled
GIS shipping modules. However, pre-assembly is typically
less involved with higher voltages, and the majority of GIS
installations take place indoors, which necessitates the
construction of a structure.
• In the case of AIS substation, you must think of various
concrete and steel structures which are used to support the
above-grade components and electrical equipment such as
cable bus, rigid bus, and strain bus conductors, switches,
surge arresters, insulators, and other equipment.
1.9 Community Impact
• Concerns regarding electromagnetic field (EMF) can also be a topic of public attention when
it comes to the installation of substations; however, these worries are less common than those
regarding safety and aesthetics.
• When gaining public acceptance is necessary, the GIS’s small footprint and ability to fit in with
its surroundings make it a potentially attractive option.
1.10 GIS Cost
vs AIS Cost

• GIS equipment is more expensive than AIS

equipment. Nevertheless, when life cycle
costs are taken into account, it is frequently
discovered that GIS is not only more cost
effective but also delivers superior
performance.

• Comparisons of costs ought to be based on

the complete life cycle costs, which should
include not only the price of equipment and
land and development but also the expenses
of routine operation and maintenance and the
costs of forced outages based on reliability.
1.11 Environmental
Impact

• GIS, by definition, lowers the effects of land and space utilization.

However, because of the possible climate change consequences,
GIS includes more SF6 contained components and hence deserves
greater attention.
• Despite this concern, SF6’s potential overall effect to global climate
is really negligible in comparison to other pollution emissions.
• The figure shows an overview of the environmental impact categories
that were examined in the study at switchgear level. It is based on a
representative mix of all switchgear types in the MV/HV range. Clear
advantages for SF6-insulated (GIS) compared to air-insulated
switchgear (AIS) are also shown in regard to global warming
potential.
1.12 Substation Expandability
• The AIS can be enlarged with some difficulty. On the other hand, GIS is an excellent
alternative for expanding current AIS when space is restricted and scheduled outages are
difficult to achieve. This is a situation that typically exists when there is a combination of both
of these factors.
• When expanding an existing GIS, the initial design must incorporate provisions for future
plans, and there may be instances in which the future infrastructure must be deployed ahead
of schedule. However, that same can be said for AIS substations.
1.13 EMF (Electromagnetic Field) Influence &
Service Interruption
• The magnetic fields produced by conductor currents are often lower than those produced by
AIS, thanks to the currents flowing in the GIS cage. Exposure levels are often well within
acceptable standards even at GIS exits, where EMF levels can be highest.
• Studies have found that average EMF levels are many times lower than what is considered
safe for the general public.
 Service Interruption:
By service interruption is meant a cessation of service to one or more customers,
whether power was being used or not. Interruptions can be classified
as instantaneous, momentary, temporary, or sustained.
1.14 Initial Cost & Land Size for Substation
• Initial Cost
– All initial expenditures connected with land acquisition, construction, permits, engineering design, site
work, civil construction, equipment purchasing, training, and substation installation. This varies across
AIS and GIS configurations, but AIS is often less expensive.
• Land Size for a substation
• The truth is that when using GIS, property sizes are virtually always reduced. However, if
the prospective site has cheap land, this may not be a significant concern. Figure below
shows all the complexity in preparing soil for AIS substation components. The blue is
current hill profile. Three benches are designed for placement of equipment, transformer,
road etc.)
1.15 Life cycle cost & Maintenance Resources
• Life cycle cost
– This is actually a cost analysis that incorporates capital investment, land acquisition, site preparation,
reliability impacts, operation, and maintenance costs over the project’s life cycle at a fixed interest rate. This
methodology provides for a weighted study of the relevant elements to calculate the entire life cycle cost.
• Maintenance Resources
• Resources needed to maintain substation equipment. Because most components are sheltered
from the outdoors, the frequency of GIS maintenance is substantially lower than that of
AIS (usually every 8 years versus every year).
• GIS maintenance techniques, on the other hand, necessitate additional training, and GIS
replacement parts may not be as easily available.
1.16 O&M

• This cost comprises all fixed

expenditures connected
with a substation, such as
property taxes, insurance,
scheduled operation and
maintenance, and
scheduled service
disruptions.
1.17 Substation Reliability
• The amount of time throughout which a component or system is able to successfully carry out
the tasks that are needed of it. The likelihood, in a steady state, that it will be used in an
environment where it can perform its functions.
• The SAIFI, CAIFI, SAIDI, and CTAIDI indices are the four primary ones that are used for
assessing reliability.
– SAIFI-System Average Interruption Frequency Index
– CAIFI-Customer Average Interruption Frequency Index
– SAIDI-System Average Interruption Duration Index.
– CTAIDI- Customer Total Average Interruption Duration Index
1.18 Power Restoration
• The restoration of electric service following an interruption, whether caused by the repair of the
outage that caused the interruption, the re-switching of the supply, or the activation of an
alternate source.
1.19 Substation Safety & Security
• Substation design prioritizes safety by safeguarding the public as well as operation and
maintenance workers through design, construction, security, training, and work practices. It’s
also worth noting that safety starts with engineering and equipment choices.
• ”Safety by Design” is becoming more prevalent in substation design.
• The substation could be at risk from things like vandalism, terrorism, or intruders. Since most
substations are housed indoors and their electrical components are shielded, GIS is often
used to lessen security concerns.
1.20 Seismic
Withstand

• The ability of substation

equipment to withstand
forces generated by
earthquakes. GIS typically
has
• better seismic withstand
capability than comparable
AIS.
1.21 Weather
Influence

• Temperature, wind, ice, rain,

snow, storms, and humidity can
all have an impact on how a
substation operates. Because
GIS may be deployed indoors
and GIS components are
hermetically sealed inside
enclosures, it can survive harsh
weather conditions.
1.22 Power System
Factors

• In the asset planning stage, factors for selecting AIS or

GIS begin to emerge. Various factors, such as system
strength, stability, dependability, and load flow needs, have
previously been analyzed once system or transmission
planning has indicated the need for a retrofit or green-field
substation.
• The decision between AIS and GIS may be premature at
this point, but information developed during the planning
stage may already be guiding the owner to a proposed
solution.
1.23 Environment
Factors

• The natural environment of a potential location for a substation may

create certain elements, such as areas with difficult conditions, such
as areas with poor soil conditions, high levels of air contamination,
strong seismic activity, or high levels of storm surge. However, the
ideal substation solution may also take into account other qualitative
aspects of the environment, such as the community’s aesthetic
preferences, potential difficulties in obtaining permits, and/or
potential effects on the metropolitan area.
• The figure below shows environmental impact comparison between a
220 kV gas-insulated substation and a 220 kV air-insulation
substation.
Cheaper AIS or More Expensive GIS
• Substation users must give relative importance to each component when doing an economic
appraisal of an asset. In addition, there may be contextual differences across substation
installations. Therefore, many consumers are turning to life cycle cost analysis to comprehend
the total investment of a substation installation.
• Insight into the total cost of ownership for a substation is provided by this study. When
comparing AIS with GIS for initial investment cost, AIS typically results in the cheaper solution.
• Innovation or nontraditional solutions, such as GIS, can buy more reliability for the same
budget under the right circumstances. That is why it is important for traditional engineering
tools, such as N-1 criterion, to be augmented with a reliability-based life cycle cost planning
approach.
Finial Decision in choosing Between AIS & GIS

• When it comes to choosing between AIS and GIS, certain considerations, such as aesthetics,
may be enough to sway a user’s decision on their own. However, in order to make the optimal
option, it is typically necessary to evaluate a large number of aspects and seek the advice and
opinion of a wide variety of departments working inside the power producing company.
• It is also essential to keep in mind that the ideal substation solution might not consist entirely
of AIS or GIS technology. It’s possible that a hybrid solution, also known as a mixed-
technology solution, is the most optimal arrangement in some circumstances.
Cont…
Cont..
• In general, a majority of the variables will be favorable to GIS; nevertheless, it is the value or weight attributed to
the factors that determines whether or not the return on investment is justifiable to chose GIS rather than AIS.
The needs of the user should be taken into consideration when assigning relative importance to the many factors
that can be assessed.
• A user is able to analyze different substation configurations by assigning different weights to the various
parameters in order to decide whether or not AIS or GIS is more cost-effective.
• Next, a weighting system is applied to the life cycle costs, in addition to any other user-specified elements that
are frequently referred to as “intangible or soft factors” (such as safety or aesthetics). This methodology can be
applied using the standard idea of weighted averages or by making use of algorithms that are dependent on the
preferences that are supplied by the user.
• The findings of these assessments can also be used to produce a proposed list of alternatives to the substation,
which is then sorted in order based on information that is both technically and economically obvious
Thank You