Gas Insulated Substations

Technology Developments and Lessons Learned

April 24-25, 2023 | Oak Brook, IL

0423-gas-insulated-substations

Hosted by ComEd

“It was such a great conference with many interesting topics! I loved that all parts of the industry were there, from manufacturing to utility, to openly share their expertise. It was also the perfect size – not too big where it’s too overwhelming. Thanks for such a great conference! – Project Manager, Hawaiian Electric

“Great mix of technical information & personal experience” -Electrical Engineer, SECO

“It’s great to bring utilities and vendors together to discuss best practices and lessons learned” -Project Manager, Southern Company

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“This helped me better understand the basics of GIS and helped to get me up to speed with industry developments” – Engineer, Southern California Edison

“A great exposure to the real-life engineering, operations issues, and considerations for GIS” – Stations Engineering Manager, Florida Power & Light

“Excellent conference that covered the topic very well” – Regional office manager, SECO

“Very good conference to learn about GIS equipment and how it is used at various locations” –Sr. Engineering Consultant, SECO

“I would recommend this conference to all new utilities/users who are not familiar with GIS” –Business Development Manager, Siemens

“A very practical conference with frank and open discussions. Very good presenters.” –VP, MJ Electric

Faced with increasing demands for reliability, improved aesthetics, land restrictions, and security, the adoption of gas insulated substations (GIS) continues to increase. This conference will address technical developments and business considerations for GIS through case studies and new developments in technology.

Participants will have the opportunity to hear lessons learned and challenges with GIS from utilities that have been building new GIS or upgrading existing stations, while also seeing one in person through the on-site tour.

Register today to hear developments in technology, including gas alternatives and much more driving the GIS revolution.

Learning Outcomes

• Gain a fundamentals refresher from Seattle City Light for an engineer trying to make the case for a new GIS substation in an urban setting
• Expand on considerations for planning your first GIS substation with PEPCO
• Review how IDC/BIM technologies create improved efficiency during your substation project
• Discover how vacuum switching and Clean Air insulation can ensure net zero SF6 emissions
• Review SF6 and Alternatives focusing on quickly and effectively finding SF6 leaks and preventing emissions
• Review what Dominion Energy has learned from their GIS installations in alternatives and innovation
• Engage in a utility user panel discussion on the challenges of and developments in GIS
• Expand on what ComEd has done with their GIS system and a review of a station’s design, construction and operation
• Attend a tour of one of ComEd’s stations and see a GIS in-person

Monday April 24, 2023

 

8:30 – 8:40 a.m. :: Introductions

8:40 – 9:00 a.m. :: Welcoming Remarks

Carla Frieh, Vice President Transmission and Substation Engineering, ComEd

9:00 – 9:40 a.m. :: Design and Construction Fundamentals for Building a New GIS Substation

This presentation will be a good introduction from a substation engineer’s perspective on developing scope, one-line drawings, equipment ratings, instrumentation and monitoring equipment specifications, testing, commissioning, and more. This will be a refresher for a utility engineer trying to make the case for a new GIS substation in an urban setting with salient features, and specifications to build a new and cost-effective GIS substation. SCL has been operating a brand new 115kV GIS substation for 3 years and here are some useful ideas to consider before starting to build a new one.

Rajinder Rai, Principal Substation Engineer, Seattle City Light

9:40 – 10:20 a.m. :: Additional Considerations for Planning for a First GIS Station

This discussion will expand upon the previous presentation in covering additional detail and content as well as providing the planning process from another utility’s perspective for a more well-rounded coverage of items to consider in planning and constructing your GIS station.

• Gas One-Line (In reference with system One-Line)
• Dividing Gas Zones with respect to Bay Local Control Cabinet (LCC) and Isolating Devices (Breakers/Disconnect)
• Bay Controller Units (BCUs) design for isolating based on Gas Levels (Low, Low-Low and Low-Low-Low) and controlling Isolating Devices (Open/Close)
• Isolating Devices Interlock design (Hardwired Vs Soft/Logic based)
• Local Control Cabinet (LCC) Mimic panel design
• Selection of Gas Density Monitor and more

Binyam Yeshitla, P.E., Manager Design Engineering – System Protection & Control, PEPCO

10:20 – 10:40 a.m. :: Networking Break

10:40 – 11:20 a.m. :: Paperless Solutions to Manage High Voltage Substation Projects

By enhancing the use of IDC/BIM technologies, they allow for complete 3D interactive scheduling of your substation project, allowing you to predict delays or schedule accelerations. Costs are updated daily to monitor the project budget while all documentation such as drawings, instruction manuals, or mark-ups on as-built drawings, are accessible electronically through the 3D application creating paperless information accessible at your fingertip.

Gilles Barthes, Head of Business Development, RCM Energy Services

Ostap Dzikh, Manager of Technology and Innovation, RCM Energy Services

11:20 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. :: SF6-Free GIS and High Voltage Switchgear: Reliable Eco-Gas-Mix Technology

While providing the absolute reliability and safety expected of today’s sulfur hexafluoride (SF6) GIS, high voltage breakers and instrument transformers using eco-gas-mix technology which contains no SF6 is proven to also reduce the carbon footprint significantly throughout the entire lifecycle. Thus, significantly lowering the environmental impact of transmission products and solutions in the quest toward carbon-neutrality.  This game-changing technology will support a responsible way forward for switchgear, as well as the needs of an evolving high voltage power grid with compact designs lowest lifecycle CO2-equivalent ratings when compared to other technologies.  In this presentation, we will look closely at what is available for today, expected for tomorrow and where the roadmap of ongoing developments could take this technology long into the future.

Thomas Schulz, Strategic Product Marketing Manager – Switchgear – North America, Hitachi Energy

12:00 – 1:00 p.m. :: Group Luncheon

1:00 – 1:45 p.m. :: Technology Roadmap for Non SF6 Switchgear Up to 550kV and 63kA

SF6 has been used as a switching and insulation medium for switchgear for 50 years, unfortunately it has a GWP of 25,200 so the industry is looking for alternates. This presentation will review the use of vacuum switching and Clean Air insulation to ensure net-zero emissions from its switchgear and plans on net-zero emissions for its production in the coming years. In addition, this presentation shows the legislation being considered.

Paul Roskilly, Systems Engineering Manager, Siemens Energy

1:40 – 2:30 p.m. :: Leak Detection in Indoor GIS Substations

In its pure form, SF6 is a non-toxic gas; however, due to its density (5 times heavier than air) it can pose a risk as an asphyxiant in indoor areas such as GIS stations. Since SF6 is heavier than air, it can displace oxygen in indoor environments if large quantities of the gas are present. Additionally, SF6 is the most potent greenhouse gas known to man and avoiding emissions is of the upmost importance. In this presentation, we will provide an in-depth overview of SF6 and Alternatives focusing on quickly and effectively finding SF6 leaks and preventing emissions in GIS substations.

Corey Ratza, Sales Director, DILO Company, Inc.

2:30 – 3:00 p.m. :: Networking Break

3:00 – 3:45 p.m. :: GIS Design Alternatives and Innovation at Dominion Energy

Dominion Energy will share their experience and challenges in this case study presentation as well as discuss their innovation in GIS alternatives including gas insulated line use in projects and overall, what they feel the future looks like for GIS use.

Jim Stage, Engineering Technical Consultant, Dominion Energy

3:45 – 5:00 p.m. :: PANEL: Why GIS?  Hot Topics and Challenges to GIS

This panel presents an opportunity to pose your GIS questions to utility experts. Topics will cover technology and environmental considerations as well as the benefits, challenges, and justification of costs for starting a new project.

Binyam Yeshitla, P.E., Principal Subject Matter Expert for GIS, Breakers and Switchgears – T&S, Standards & Equipment Engineering, PEPCO

Jim Stage, Engineering Technical Consultant, Dominion Energy

Rajinder Rai, Principal Substation Engineer, Seattle City Light

Boris Gurevich, LRE (Lead Responsible Engineer), ComEd

5:00 – 6:00 p.m. :: Networking Reception

 

Tuesday April 25, 2023

 

8:30 – 9:15 a.m. :: ComEd’s Elk Grove Substation of the Future

ComEd will review their Elk Grove compact design GIS substation in this case study presentation. Some of the topics covered will be the fully digital, 61850 control system as well as project design and construction overview.

Chris Rosso, Project Manager, ComEd

Cesar Castillo, Sr., Engineer Equipment Standards, ComEd

Boris Gurevich, LRE (Lead Responsible Engineer), ComEd

9:15 – 9:40 a.m. :: Networking Break and Load onto Bus for Tour

9:40 a.m. – 12:40 p.m. :: Tour of ComEd’s Elk Grove Station

9:40 a.m. :: Bus Leaves Conference Hotel

10:15 a.m. :: Tour arrival

10:15 -12:00 p.m. :: Tour

Although there is no cost associated with the tour, we ask that you register so that we can plan accordingly for transportation.

The tour will include seeing the ground-level inside including the 138kV GIS hall, 34kV Switchgear and outside the 138/34kV TR bays. The lower-level cable basement and upper-level control and relays room. Note: the way to the upper level is by stairs only and is equal to a 4 story high building with no elevator.

PPE is Required for the tour. ComEd will provide hard hats and safety glasses. In addition to those, you will need to bring and have Flame-Resistant clothing and work shoes to go on the tour.

12:40 p.m. :: Return from Tour and Conference Concludes

• Gilles Barthes, Head of Business Development, RCM Energy Services

• Cesar Castillo, Sr., Engineer Equipment Standards, ComEd

• Ostap Dzikh, Manager of Technology and Innovation, RCM Energy Services

• Carla Frieh, Vice President Transmission and Substation Engineering, ComEd

• Boris Gurevich, LRE (Lead Responsible Engineer), ComEd

• Rajinder Rai, Principal Substation Engineer, Seattle City Light

• Corey Ratza, Sales Director, DILO Company, Inc.

• Paul Roskilly, Systems Engineering Manager, Siemens Energy

• Chris Rosso, Project Manager, ComEd

• Thomas Schulz, Strategic Product Marketing Manager – Switchgear – North America, Hitachi Energy

• Jim Stage, Engineering Technical Consultant, Dominion Energy

• Binyam Yeshitla, P.E., Principal Subject Matter Expert for GIS, Breakers and Switchgears – T&S, Standards & Equipment Engineering, PEPCO

Please Note: Confirmed speakers do not need to register and are encouraged to participate in all sessions of the event. If you are a speaker and have any questions please contact our offices at 1.303.770.8800

REGISTER NOW FOR THIS EVENT:

Gas Insulated Substations

April 24-25, 2023 | Oak Brook, IL

Buy 4 in-person seats and only pay for 3! For this event every fourth in-person attendee is free!

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RELATED WORKSHOPS:

Tour of ComEd's Elk Grove Station

April 25

Individual attendee(s) - $ 0.00 each
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Your registration may be transferred to a member of your organization up to 24 hours in advance of the event. Cancellations must be received on or before March 24, 2023 in order to be refunded and will be subject to a US $195.00 processing fee per registrant. No refunds will be made after this date. Cancellations received after this date will create a credit of the tuition (less processing fee) good toward any other EUCI event. This credit will be good for six months from the cancellation date. In the event of non-attendance, all registration fees will be forfeited. In case of conference cancellation, EUCIs liability is limited to refund of the event registration fee only. For more information regarding administrative policies, such as complaints and refunds, please contact our offices at 303-770-8800

Credits

EUCI is accredited by the International Accreditors for Continuing Education and Training (IACET) and offers IACET CEUs for its learning events that comply with the ANSI/IACET Continuing Education and Training Standard. IACET is recognized internationally as a standard development organization and accrediting body that promotes quality of continuing education and training.

EUCI is authorized by IACET to offer 0.9 CEUs for this conference

Requirements for Successful Completion of Program

Participants must sign in/out each day, be in attendance for the entirety of the conference to be eligible for continuing education credit.

Instructional Methods

Case studies, PowerPoint presentations, panel discussion, site visit

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Upon successful completion of this event, program participants interested in receiving CPE credits will receive a certificate of completion.

Course CPE Credits: 10.0
There is no prerequisite for this Course.
Program field of study: Specialized Knowledge
Program Level: Basic
Delivery Method: Group Live
Advanced Preparation: None

EUCI is registered with the National Association of State Boards of Accountancy (NASBA) as a sponsor of continuing professional education on the National Registry of CPE Sponsors. State boards of accountancy have final authority on the acceptance of individual courses for CPE credit. Complaints regarding registered sponsors may be submitted to the National Registry of CPE Sponsors through its web site: www.nasbaregistry.org

Who Should Attend

• Transmission and distribution executives and managers
• Substation and distribution engineers
• Project managers involved in substation design, modification, and instillation
• Utility asset managers
• Construction firms involved in GIS projects
• Transmission and distribution planners
• Utility environmental managers