Siemens Highly Integrated Switchgear (HIS) has enabled the augmentation of a 66kV substation, while also reducing environmental and community impacts, and improving the productivity, health and safety performance of the yard.
The HIS has also been specifically configured to fit within the parameters of the existing site, saving our customer the time and costs associated with acquiring more land.
“The Siemens HIS equipment has been installed into five bays in a single row formation, and extended in a single row of twenty metres, achieving a switchgear width of just one metre,” Mr Steve Robinson, Siemens Vice President of Energy, explained.
“Old high voltage cables were replaced and directly connected into the new HIS, eliminating exposure of high voltage parts, as well as solidly earthed in case of substation intrusion.”
Situated in close proximity to a primary school and residential surrounds, the safety and environmental impacts of the substation have also been greatly improved, which was of great concern to our customer.
“The sound and noise pressure has been greatly reduced with the HIS, which is quieter than the alternative switchgear, and a purpose-built sound absorbing wall,” Mr Robinson said.
“The lifecycle costs including land acquisition have also been dramatically reduced. The HIS is very efficient, low maintenance, and all components are gas insulated, ensuring no leakage.”
The Siemens HIS solution has addressed all the criteria for achieving engineering excellence. It has not only met our customer’s immediate needs, but also reduced the substation’s environmental impacts, responded responsibly to community needs, and improved productivity and safety.