Analysis of busbar arrangements in substations: A methodological approach

Abstract

A substation is the part of a power system, concentrated in a given location, which comprises a set of switching, transformation, compensation and other equipment used to direct the flow of energy and enable its diversification, through alternative routes. According to the 2023 National Energy Balance Report, the final consumption of electrical energy in the country has been growing in recent years, requiring adaptation and expansion of the energy sector, from the generation process, transmission to distribution of electrical energy, emerging the need for investments in the construction of new substations and/or modernization and expansion of existing facilities. Therefore, this study aims to propose a comprehensive methodology for defining the most appropriate busbar arrangement for a given distribution, transmission, and industrial substation project. The methodology is based on qualitative and quantitative criteria, considering elements such as system security, operational flexibility, and availability during maintenance, and thus using a scoring system for each of the criteria taking into account the configuration of the bus arrangement. Additionally, a study of the implementation cost is considered, based on the budget methodology developed by the National Electric Energy Agency (ANEEL). Through these approaches, it is possible to observe that, as the voltage class increases, the system safety and availability requirements also increase, arrangements that more efficiently fulfill these criteria stand out in higher voltage classes, while those that perform poorly in these respects but offer similar operational flexibility excel in lower voltage classes.

DOI:https://doi.org/10.56238/sevened2024.004-027