Transmission Impact Studies
 An
impact study generally involves determining the incremental change in
transmission reliability due to an addition or change in the power system.
This type of study is usually part of a formalized procedure to approve
new equipment and power plants interconnecting to the grid. For
further information, select one of the links below:
What is Involved in Impact Studies?
Some of the aspects of impact studies include
- Defining reference condition/s prior to the addition of the new
equipment. For instance, this may comprise of power flow
models of the grid at summer and winter peak on the first year of
operation of the proposed equipment. More extensively, this
may include short circuit and stability models as well.
- Modifying the reference condition/s to add only the new
equipment.
- Both the reference conditions and its incremented complements
are tested for reliability performance. The more common
tests are: contingency analysis, short circuit calculation,
stability simulation, transfer analysis, torsional and prony
analysis. Less frequently, there are power quality and
switching transient analyses.
- Where reliability criteria are violated, a determination is made
as to whether this is due to the new equipment. The factors
include the magnitude of increase in violation, or any new
violations attributable to the new equipment.
- The operation of the new equipment may be limited because
of its impact. For example, a new power plant that may have a
transmission congestion impact may be curtailed below maximum
capability. Or, the equipment may be rejected if the impacts
are severe.
- Reinforcements to the transmission grid in the form of
line upgrades, new lines, additional reactive support, may help
resolve the impacts of the new equipment.
The process is fairly involved and takes some time to conduct.
Large-scale simulation models are needed to quantify impacts.
Of Interest to Project Developers
Also, project developers may be interested in pre-impact assessment
studies such as:
- Fatal Flaw studies - assess the transmission requirements for a
new power project using a quick but accurate analysis.
Identify potential transmission fatal flaws before you get too far
along on project development. Duration: 1-2 weeks.
- Site Assessment - compare the transmission impacts for several
interconnection points for a proposed project. Duration: 2-4
weeks.
- Feasibility studies - assess the thermal and voltage
requirements to interconnect a proposed power project using a
specific model of the transmission network closest to that used in
an impact study, and taking into account sensitivity to other power
projects under development and contingencies that determine specific
impacts. Duration: 3-6 weeks.
Pterra's Experience
Pterra has the expertise and experience to help you through the impact study process.
Our team has conducted impact studies in many North American regions, as
well as, internationally.
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Multiple feasibility and impact studies for power projects in
Oklahoma, Kansas, Texas,
Vermont, Colorado, Louisiana, New Jersey, New Hampshire, Connecticut and
New York, for clients such as the Southwest Power Pool, New York ISO
and ISO New England and merchant power plant developers.
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Individual Pterra staff have even broader experience that those
listed above. For a detailed project resume of individual
personnel, please
contact us
today.
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Links to sample Pterra impact studies posted on the web:
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