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Title

Integration of Multi-Sites LV Co-Generation Plants to 11kV Distribution System The Malaysian Experience
4 Version of the document V1 Date 02-09-2012

Proposed session *

Name Marianne George

Authors information (Main author in the first row) Company Country e-mail Tenaga Nasional Malaysia marianne@tnb.com.my Berhad

Direct phone +60192769496

SUMMARY
The Malaysian Government has taken efforts in reducing Green House Gas (GHG) emission through the promotion of efficient use of energy resources through Co-Generation (Co-Gen) facilities and Renewable Energy (RE) plants. These facilities, or otherwise known as Distributed Generation (DG) plants are connected to Tenaga Nasional Berhad (TNB) distribution system at medium voltage level (11kV 33kV) through an embedded generator either connected directly or via an interface transformer to the distribution network. As at August 2012, the Malaysian Government has issued 39 licenses to facilities for operation of Co-Gen plants, with 21 licensees operating in tandem with the distribution network with total generating capacity of 144.4 MW. Most of this Co-Gen plants uses either natural gas, waste heat, agricultural waste, process waste, wood dust and empty fruit bunches (EFB) as the main source of fuel. A recent study was conducted on the interconnection of Gas Engine Combined Heat Power (CHP) CoGeneration plant by a major electricity consumer in the state of Selangor, Malaysia. The proposed interconnection comprises of installation of 4 units of CHP Co-Gen plant with overall capacity of 5.56 MW at 4 existing distribution substations. The reason for the interconnection of the DG is (1) to cater for the additional demand growth of the consumer, of which the utility supply (in this case, TNB) will be used as top up for the plants demand (2) to improve overall efficiency. The proposed interconnection would be done at 0.415kV level on the consumer installation and would be stepped up to 11kV system voltage via a 0.433kV/11kV transformer. The proposed Point of Common Coupling (PCC) for the interconnection of the Co-Gen plant and TNB 11kV distribution network would be at the cable termination of the 11kV switchgear.

A typical configuration of DG (top-up) into the distribution network _________________________

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2/4 All DG developers are required to comply to the legal and regulatory requirements set by the Energy Commission (EC) of Malaysia as well as complete 2 levels of assessments as part as approval process for licensing for the connection to TNBs distribution network. In evaluating the feasibility of connection for the Co-Gen plant with TNB distribution network, both level 1 and 2 assessment was carried out. The assessment was done via simulation software PSS-Adept (as per diagram below) and PSS Viper. Simulation was done taking into consideration the following conditions; 1) Peak load conditions 2) Light load conditions.

Modeling of Co-gen plant into TNB 11kV distribution network for simulation purposes For system fault level, the conditions of bus configuration (Open or Close) at the substation main intake is taken into consideration. Results for all conditions require comparison for configuration of with and without the Co-Gen plants to observe the distinct changes in the behavior of the distribution network. The findings from the system study for the interconnection shows; Increase in the overall 11kV distribution system fault level due to the additional impedance to the distribution system. Fault level ranges from 33kA 50kA on the generator side (LV). The system fault levels increases to 25kA at the source of which bus is in closed configuration. For bus is open configuration, the system fault levels decreases significantly. Network voltage falls within the regulated limit of 5% for medium voltage level. However, if loads fall lower than 50% of the peak load conditions, voltage level may drop beyond the regulated limits. System losses improve by approximately 33% (by 488 kVAR).

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3/4 Overloading appears generally on the consumer LV cables. No overloading on existing 11kV distribution network The export power of the generator is consumed by the existing consumer load. Through load flow simulation, a meagre amount of power flows into the distribution system, hence not much change to the existing network behavior and no spillover towards the grid system into the transmission network.

From the findings from both levels of the assessments, the following major technical issues had to be addressed; The increase in fault level has exceeded the existing short circuit rating of the electrical switchgears at the source of which is rated at 20kA in 3 seconds. Interconnection with the co-gen plant would require better protection scheme to the system ie. relay operated, hence Ring Main Units (RMU) are less feasible in comparable to Vacuum Circuit Breakers (VCB). Thus, existing installation for interconnection with the co-gen plant would require RMUs to be replaced with VCBs The generators will be operated using power factor control mode to compensate for poor power factor to the consumer. However, this mode of control may cause large voltage variations between the extremes of light load to peak load conditions. Capacitor banks are not installed at the co-gen plant as the generators will be operating at power factor of 0.9, of which higher than the utilitys power factor of 0.85. However, consideration must be given in cases the power factor level drops beyond the utilitys requirement and its effect to the network Power factor control mode used by the generator omits voltage regulation via the transformer tap changer. However, in occurrences of light load conditions, of which failure for the power factor control mode to function, tap changer on the step up transformer may need to be raised higher or lower manually as the transformer is of off load tap changer type

Thus, to ensure the feasibility of connection between the co-gen plant and the distribution network, the technical issues had to be addressed/proposed accordingly Replacing the electrical switchgears at the source with higher short circuit rating may not be the most feasible solution as it is costly. TNB could adopt separating the bus configuration to minimize the fault level. However, this could impose lesser system reliability and security 1 out of the 4 injection points (substation) requires replacing the existing switchgear from RMU to VCB type. In this case, all expenses for the replacement is to be borne by the co-gen consumer Other operational requirements such as synchro-check facilities, interlocking scheme and control/SCADA equipments has to be installed at all injection points (substation) for monitoring of overall system by distribution network operator (RCC) and operation Evaluation of protection system for both TNB distribution network and co-gen plant to ensure continuous supply of the network. A fault on either side of the system should not in any way effect the overall distribution network Injection of a new source into an existing installation can be tedious as it involves careful consideration of existing installations in the network such as switchgear type and rating, protection devices, existing cables and its capacity, transformers etc to match the new installation. When necessary, major modifications has to be done of which could be costly comparable to establishing a new substation. _________________________
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4/4 Proper and documented O&M procedures is necessary to ensure safe operation of the network by personnels once the co-gen plant has been commissioned into the system. In conclusion, DG has become the next big thing to conserve existing energy resources as well as ensuring a cleaner and greener environment. However, interconnection of DG may pose enormous technical issues and challenges to the distribution network if detailed analysis is not taken into consideration during the planning and design stages. Hence, all technical issues have to be addressed and mitigation steps are planned accordingly to ensure the feasibility of connection before the commissioning of the plant.

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