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ESB NETWORKS LTD
October/November 2012 www.esb.ie/em
IN FOCUS: Inchicore 220kV station
INCHICORE 220kV station is a 220kV distribution bulk supply point located in the west of Dublin City. The primary loads supplied from Inchicore 220kV station include key customers in the Citywest and Grange Castle business parks, as well as a considerable part of the south city. Although it is one of the oldest stations in the country, it is of major importance in the operation of the power system, supplying a load in excess of 300 MVA.
In keeping with ESB Networks ongoing commitment to creating a more secure and robust network, and owing to significant load growth seen within the Inchicore Bulk Supply Point, approval was sought for the installation of a fourth 220kV/110kV 250MVA transformer, associated protection upgrade work, a three-bay 220kV GIS busbar extension and a five-bay 110kV GIS busbar extension.
The addition of this fourth 220kV transformer will allow Inchicore to be configured as two 2 x 250MVA Bulk Supply Point with infeeds to the Dublin 110kV system. As well as contributing to improved security of supply, this configuration will also allow short-circuit levels on the 110kV system to be managed more effectively.
Leading the electrical installation were Project Leaders Bryan Crowley and Darragh Quinn and Project Supervisor Joe Garvey. ESBI were tasked with responsibilities for design, procurement and commissioning while the 110kV and 220kV electrical installation work was completed by HV Stations Staff from the Inchicore HV D&C team. The civil works were completed by an Irish company, Sean Lacey Construction. The overall level of cooperation between ESB Networks, EirGrid and ESBI on this project meant that any issues that occurred, which are to be expected in a project of this complexity, were dealt with effectively and in a timely manner allowing the project to progress. Safety was paramount and a pro-active approach was always taken to ensure that high safety standards were met and kept at all times.
The new 220kV GIS extension and new 220kV transformer, T2106, were successfully energised in June of this year. Work on commissioning of the 110kV GIS extension is ongoing and scheduled to be completed before the power demanding winter months.
This multi-million euro project was part of an overall reinforcement programme, completed using funding agreed by the CER under the PR2 Load Related Programme.
Corporate Social Responsibility in action at Coolkeeragh
page 17
Switch-in of new 56km northwest 220kV line
ON SATURDAY the 11th August 2012, the new Flagford - Srananagh 220kV line in the North West was switched in, eight years after construction first started. Construction on the Flagford – Srananagh reinforcement project started in 2004 by looping 60km of existing 110kV lines into the newly constructed Srananagh 220/110kV station. Then 56km of new 220kV line between Flagford and Srananagh was built. This presented numerous challenges, particularly landowner opposition, which had the effect of delaying the project significantly.
Background
In the mid/late 90s one of the key objectives of the National Development Plan was to increase the potential of the Border, Midlands & Western Region (BMW) and act as a counterbalance to the Southern and Eastern region, especially Dublin. The aim was to pursue a more balanced and diversified growth within the Region. To achieve this, the Government planed to increase the level of foreign and indigenous investment in the BMW Regions.
The Irish economy was experiencing strong growth which led to significant growth in electricity demand countrywide and particularly in the West. Studies also showed that with increasing demand, the existing infrastructure would not be able to meet electricity demands of the area.
A decision was made to reinforce the area by constructing of a new 220kV line from the existing Flagford 220kV Station in Co. Roscommon to a new 220/110kV transmission station in East Sligo. Two existing 110kV lines in the area were looped into the new transmission station. A new 110kV line was constructed from the new station to an existing Sligo 110kV transmission station.
The Flagford – Srananagh reinforcement project
The Flagford - Srananagh reinforcement project comprised of the following work:
- The building of a new 220/110kV substation in east Sligo near Srananagh.
- The construction of approximately 56km of a new 220kV single circuit steel tower line from the existing Flagford 220/110kV substation to a new 220/110kV substation in east Sligo.
- The looping in of the Arigna-Carrick on Shannon-Cathaleen’s Fall 110kV line into the new 220/110kV substation, approximately 26km.
- The looping of the Cathaleen’s Fall-Sligo 110kV line into the new 220/110kV substation, approximately 12km.
- The building of a new 110kV line from the new 220/110kV substation to the existing Sligo 110kV transmission station, approximately 11km.
- The erection of substation equipment for the new 220kV line in a spare line bay position at Flagford 220kV substation.
- The erection of substation equipment for the new 110kV line in a spare line bay position at Sligo 110kV substation.
Thanks to the large number of people from ESB Networks, ESBI and our external contractor SAG, who have been responsible for the delivery of this project.
A typical day for a HV Stations Manager, ESB Networks – Darragh Quinn
Background
Currently, I am the HV Stations Manager for Dublin with responsibility for all maintenance and capital work for approximately 150 distribution and transmission stations.
I started in ESB Networks as an apprentice. I qualified as a Network Technician in 2002 and was assigned to HV stations in Limerick. In 2003 I moved to Portlaoise as a Training Officer until I took a career break in 2005. While on career break I completed an Honours Degree in Electrical Power Systems Engineering at Cork Institute of Technology. On my return to ESB Networks in late 2008 I took up a graduate engineering position as the HV and MV load Planner for the North West, a position I held for two years. I am a strong believer in lifelong learning and have completed numerous technical and non-technical courses throughout my career.
Typical working day
A typical day for me involves – dealing with queries from stakeholders; solving issues that develop; attending client, site and team meetings; taking actions to avoid delays, changes and disputes to projects; coordinating multiple complex HV stations construction and maintenance activities; reviewing scopes of works, costs and project progress; planning timelines and future work; cost control and of course the numerous e-mails. Luckily I have the support of three excellent supervisors and their teams, who get the work done on the ground - Damian McHugh looks after distribution stations work for Dublin, Joe Garvey looks after transmission capital work and Mark King deals with transmission maintenance work.
Recent projects
Some of the larger projects I am managing include the installation of new 400kV 500MVA transformers and associated bay works in Woodland and Dunstown 400kV stations, a 110kV busbar uprate for one of our major customers and a number of 220kV bay and protection upgrades.
Challenges and rewards
My job is very challenging but also very rewarding. At the end of a project you have something very tangible, something you can reach out and touch, though challenging at times. One of the rewarding aspects of my job is being able to work with lots of different skill sets and learn the industry. Working with skilled people I am constantly learning.
