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KwaZulu Natal Transformer Capacity Study

South Africa

Client:

Eskom (Transmission)

Project Status: Completed in 2007

KwaZulu Natal Capacity Study Project Outline
PSD was commissioned by Eskom to conduct a transformer capacity study at four substations in the KwaZulu Natal Province. The four substations were: Incandu 400/132kV, Eros 400/132kV, Avon 275/132kV and Hector 400/275kV. The aim of the study was to assess the loadings on the main transmission transformers at these substations and propose options, if required, to either increase the transformers capacities or to de-load the transformers. A further requirement was that a probabilistic analysis be done to determine the date or year in which any proposed capacity reinforcement of augmentation project could be economically justified. In a nutshell, the aim was therefore to draft of a long-term plan to address existing and future transformer capacity issues at these substations.

Services to Client

•	Analysis of recorded yearly loading data
•	Load flow studies and analysis
•	Evaluation of alternative solutions
•	Probabilistic analysis
•	Production of a long-term plan to address transformer capacity issues

Project Detail
The study included:

•	An analysis of the recorded loading data of the transformers. Loading levels and patterns were of concern.
•	Extensive load flow studies were done to determine the future loading on the transformers under contingency outage conditions. From these study results power transfer limits were established.
•	Various alternative solutions were investigated to solve potential transformer capacity problems.
•	In almost all cases it was recommended that exiting transformer capacities be augmented by installing an additional transformer.
•	A probabilistic model was developed to calculate when an additional transformer could be justified at each site using Eskom’s least cost justification criteria, i.e. weighting the capital cost of new infrastructure against the expected cost unsupplied energy.
•	From the results of this analysis, a long-terms plan was developed which showed when additional transformer capacity would be required under alternate predicted load growth scenarios and other loading developments such as load shifting and possible introduction of downstream generation, which will serve to de-load transformers.

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