GIS Configuration

16
Peter Glaubitz, Carolin Siebert, and Klaus Zuber

Contents
16.1 Establishing a Preliminary Configuration for the GIS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 370
16.2 Further Studies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 370
16.3 Detailed Design and Design Approval . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 370
16.4 Manufacturing Period . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 371
16.5 Selection of GIS Type . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 371
16.6 Type of Construction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 372
16.6.1 Extent of SF6-Insulated Modules . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 373
16.6.2 Hybrid Installation: Mixed Technology Systems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 373
16.6.3 Service Conditions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 374
16.7 Single-Line Diagram Design . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 377
16.8 Layout Design . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 379
16.9 Information to be Given by the User and the Manufacturer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 380
16.9.1 Basic User Input Data . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 380
16.9.2 Basic Manufacturer Input Data . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 381
16.9.3 Optimization . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 381
References . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 381

System-design considerations dictate the requirements for the substation basic configu-
ration as well as its location within the system. Consequently, they also include the basic
selection between GIS and AIS. After making the decision for an SF6 gas-insulated
system, it is necessary to consider GIS design as described in the following sections.

P. Glaubitz (*)
GIS Technology, Energy Management Division, Siemens, Erlangen, Germany
e-mail: [email protected]
C. Siebert
Energy Management, Siemens AG, Berlin, Germany
e-mail: [email protected]
K. Zuber
Energy Division, Gas Insulated Switchgear, Siemens, Erlangen, Germany
e-mail: [email protected]

# Springer International Publishing AG, part of Springer Nature 2019 369

T. Krieg, J. Finn (eds.), Substations, CIGRE Green Books,
https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-49574-3_16
370 P. Glaubitz et al.

16.1 Establishing a Preliminary Configuration for the GIS

The first study to be performed is a detailed study for a more definitive single-line
diagram (SLD). This should include special demands linked with GIS technology,
e.g., the use and position of earthing switches, instrument transformers, surge
arresters, etc.
Based upon this SLD, it will be possible to make sketches of different GIS
designs and layouts which are available, most reasonable and space saving to see
how these may be used in the actual project, including the relation to site and civil
requirements (e.g., indoor, outdoor, hybrid).
It is normal and useful for the customer at this time to contact manufacturers for
pretendering discussions and to obtain preliminary technical proposals with budget-
ary prices. However, at this stage a check should be made to ensure that the users’
basic layout does not exclude a certain manufacturer.
Close and continued contacts to several manufacturers (at events like trade fairs,
customer day workshops, and conferences) will also give good information regard-
ing the experience and design concepts of each.
An important item to study is the connections between the GIS and other
components of the network, such as overhead lines, transformers, cables, etc.
These connections will have a major impact on the overall layout.
The SLD, the draft basic technical data, and the layout drafts will be fundamental
for a later enquiry for a tender.
In this chapter essential information for the planning and determining of the
basic data and configuration are given. Further information can be found in IEC
62271-203 “Gas-insulated metal-enclosed switchgear for rated voltages above
52 kV.”

16.2 Further Studies

When the preliminary configuration and the main data are determined, further
studies have to be performed. These should cover (Table 16.1):

16.3 Detailed Design and Design Approval

When the order is placed, the manufacturer starts the detailed engineering of the
installation.
Before this activity commences, the two parties should in cooperation perform a
“Design Review,” to ensure that all items are covered and taken care of according to
the original project requirements.
The final design and all other agreed specifications between the customer and the
manufacturer have to be approved by the user. The user should ensure continuity of
technical agreements reached before and during contract negotiations.
16 GIS Configuration 371

Table 16.1 Overview content for further studies

Title References
Overvoltages, insulation coordination studies ▶ Chap. 17
Secondary equipment, such as control, protection, diagnostics, and ▶ Chap. 19
monitoring equipment
Electromagnetic compatibility ▶ Sect. 19.5
Earthing of the GIS and the secondary equipment ▶ Chaps. 19 and
▶ 21
Civil engineering aspects ▶ Chap. 20
Quality assurance, testing procedures during manufacture and especially ▶ Chap. 22
on-site testing
Transport, storage, and erection facilities ▶ Chap. 23
Demands imposed by the service and maintenance of the GIS and possible ▶ Chap. 25
future extensions

So as not to delay the progress of the project, it is important to establish efficient

routines for the approval procedures – including firm deadlines for submission and
approval of information subject to acceptance by the user.
Where multiple contractors are employed, it is important to define interface
responsibilities and to ensure that these are agreed and confirmed with the GIS
manufacturer, e.g., transportation, civil works, transformers, cables, etc. The design
work concerning arrangement of equipment and earthing systems should be com-
pleted before the commencement of civil works.

16.4 Manufacturing Period

During the manufacturing period, a lot of activities are going on in parallel. As the
GIS is manufactured in the workshops, the civil works are performed at site and
subsuppliers are manufacturing their parts.
All the time checks and tests of various parts are performed on the GIS in the
manufacturer’s factory according to a quality assurance plan which should be agreed
upon by the user.
A condition for execution of the GIS project as planned is a rigid and mutually
agreed time schedule covering all information to be submitted by the manufacturer
and accepted by the user.

16.5 Selection of GIS Type

Having decided on GIS, the user faces the matter of GIS type selection. The
following basic classification depends on type of construction, on service conditions,
and on the extent of SF6-insulated parts (Table 16.2):
372 P. Glaubitz et al.

Table 16.2 Overview types of GIS installation

Extent of SF6 insulated Service conditions –
Type of construction – 16.6 modules – 16.6.1 16.6.3
GIS for new substation Fully encapsulated GIS Indoor GIS
installation
GIS for reconstruction or extension of Hybrid installation Outdoor GIS
existing GIS
GIS for reconstruction or extension of Special applications
existing AIS

Fig. 16.1 Extension of

420 kV GIS with single-phase
busbar

16.6 Type of Construction

At the early stage of any substation design, the system requirements determine the
main type of construction, i.e., whether it will be a new construction or a recon-
struction of an existing GIS or AIS. The type of construction together with the place
and the character of the installation site affects that basic configuration (extent of
SF6-insulated parts) and those service conditions which GIS will have to meet (see
Sect. 16.6.3). An extension of existing GIS is possible. However, in some cases the
designs of different manufacturers and/or of different GIS generations require
special interfaces (Figs. 16.1 and 16.2).
16 GIS Configuration 373

Fig. 16.2 Extension of a GIS with three-phase busbar

16.6.1 Extent of SF6-Insulated Modules

16.6.1.1 Fully Encapsulated GIS Installation

Fully encapsulated GIS installations include only metalenclosed SF6-insulated com-
ponents in their primary circuits. Owing to investment costs or technical reasons (see
▶ Chap. 18), a few components may be excluded from this rule, e.g., surge arresters,
voltage transformers, or high voltage-high frequency coupling (HV-HF) equipment
in outgoing lines.
Fully encapsulated GIS can be designed for an indoor or outdoor application.
With these types, all key GIS advantages described in Chap. 16 can be achieved in
full scope.

16.6.2 Hybrid Installation: Mixed Technology Systems

Hybrid installations represent combinations of GIS and AIS components. The basic
two different concepts can be described either:

• Combination of GIS and AIS simultaneously installed in common configuration

(so called “classic” hybrid)
• Combination of more or less separated and complete GIS and AIS parts mutually
interconnected

The first case is usually represented by the following two alternative

combinations:
374 P. Glaubitz et al.

• Gas-insulated switchgear with conventional air-insulated busbars and/or busbar

disconnector
• SF6-insulated busbars including disconnectors with conventional air-insulated
switchgear

Other combinations are possible. The “classic” hybrid arrangements are usually
used at such installations where there are stringent requirements for quick or simple
isolation of a bay in case of a serious major failure and for restoration of the part
remaining in service or in such installations where it is necessary to interconnect GIS
bays which are located quite far away from one another and where the SF6 bus duct
interconnection would become more expensive than in an air-insulated design. They
can also help effectively when it is necessary to change the original SLD of AIS,
during AIS upgrading as a result of space reduction.
The second case is usually represented by the use of only SF6-insulated bus duct
for interconnection between two AIS parts or by connection of an AIS part with a
fully encapsulated GIS part.
In general, hybrid installations (namely, the “classic” type) usually require out-
door or containerized/mobile GIS components and can be used for new construc-
tions as well as (especially and preferably) for extension, reconstruction,
refurbishment, or upgrading of an existing substation. Figure 16.3a shows a newly
built 420 kV hybrid and Fig. 16.3b shows an upgraded 550 kV hybrid.

16.6.3 Service Conditions

16.6.3.1 Indoor
GIS assigned for indoor service conditions is defined as indoor GIS type. The main
advantage of an indoor GIS is that it is, with the exception of SF6/air bushings or
outdoor interconnecting bus ducts, fully independent of the outdoor environment
and also that its impact on the environment is minimized. It can be installed in a new
building, an existing building, an underground cavern, a dam, or a simple hall. A
major advantage is the independence of indoor GIS from weather conditions during
maintenance activities. The disadvantage is additional civil work costs. The use of
indoor GIS is therefore necessary in the following cases:

• Urban area, places of natural beauty or difficult topography, or in other sub-

stations which have to be landscaped
• Polluted or coastal site areas, or areas of high altitude, or severe/extreme climatic
conditions, or severe seismic area
• Strategic locations

16.6.3.2 Outdoor
GIS assigned for outdoor service conditions is defined as outdoor GIS type. In very
hot or cold ambient conditions, the insulating gas (SF6 mixture) inside the GIS may
16 GIS Configuration 375

Fig. 16.3 (a) 420 kV hybrid

installation with GIS and
air-insulated busbar. (b)
550 kV hybrid installation
with GIS and air-insulated
busbar

need to be matched with the given circumstances and can lead to a higher price than
for indoor GIS. But generally due to very simple civil works, the total installed costs
of outdoor GIS are about 90% those for indoor GIS. Maintenance costs are a little
higher for the GIS equipment for an outdoor GIS compared to an indoor GIS, but this
may be offset by lack of any need for building maintenance. The outdoor design
allows building of hybrid installations for new substations, as well as for extension
and upgrading of existing AIS. In most cases this is the factor that determines
whether outdoor GIS needs to be used.
Special precautions must be taken in material selection (long-term resistance capa-
bility, corrosion and weatherproofing protection for metallic parts, SF6 seals, joints,
mechanisms and their housings, control cubicles, cables, and SF6 monitoring devices).
Measures must likewise be taken to ensure correct operation at low temperatures.
376 P. Glaubitz et al.

Fig. 16.4 First containerized substation 145 kV in 1985 with machine transformer

16.6.3.3 Special Applications

(a) Containerized

In containerized GIS as shown in Fig. 16.4, a standard metal container includes all
active components of one or two encapsulated circuit breaker bays, a control box,
thermal insulation, lighting, air conditioning, ventilation, and access doors, and it is
fully factory-tested before shipment. Usually containerized GIS in a standard ISO
container is applicable for lower-rated voltages. Using the containerized GIS type, it
is possible to utilize advantages of both indoor and outdoor GIS types. This design is
appropriate for hybrid installations for temporary or permanent service and for GIS
of smaller extent.
In permanent service, a containerized GIS unit is installed on site on simple
concrete foundations. These units can also be connected in series. The building and
erection times for such installations are very short. Minimal on-site assembly work
preserves the effectiveness of factory quality control and results in service reliability.

(b) Mobile

In temporary service, a simple GIS bay may be installed on a truck as shown

in Fig. 16.5 and serves for temporary operation, while existing substation parts
have for various reasons to be de-energized. Thus, the power supply of the
reconstructed AIS bay can be moved through a temporary GIS bay and is not
discontinued.
16 GIS Configuration 377

Fig. 16.5 245 kV mobile GIS

16.7 Single-Line Diagram Design

The main aspects which influence GIS SLD selection, i.e., busbar scheme switching
arrangement and individual components used, are generally valid for GIS as well as
for AIS and are described in detail in ▶ Chap. 4 of this book.

(a) Operational flexibility (impact of system requirements and/or faults on substa-

tion service)
(b) System security (impact of substation maintenance requirements and/or failures
and their repairs on system service, strategic importance of substation)
(c) Availability (expected planned and unplanned outages of individual substation
components and their impact on the substation extent which has to be
de-energized, impact of further substation extension)
(d) Substation control (simple and efficient performance of operational duties)
(e) Secondary equipment
(f) Substation security (impact of primary and secondary equipment on substation
protection systems)
(g) Costs (optimized in technical/economical terms)
(h) Other considerations, such as:
• Future development of supply system
• Facilitating future extensions
• National regulations and user’s standardization policy
• Level of skill and experience of operating staff
378 P. Glaubitz et al.

As has already been mentioned above, the basic rules are the same for both GIS
and AIS. Nevertheless, GIS has its obvious technical advantages on the one hand
but, on the other hand, has a bearing on equipment costs. It is not usually effective to
simply take over schemes from former AIS projects and directly convert them into a
GIS project. Generally the following special features of GIS and their consequences
should be considered:

• The higher reliability and availability of GIS (low failure frequency rate and long
maintenance intervals).
• Independence of insulation coordination of atmospheric and geographic
conditions
Less stringent GIS redundancy requirements are acceptable in HV circuits, i.e.,
simpler GIS SLD. These diagrams can have fewer main bus bars and switching
devices and the installation of transfer bus bars for maintenance purposes seems
in most cases unnecessary.
• Easier crossings in GIS
The flexibility of GIS arrangements allows, for instance, crossings of incoming
overhead lines or bypassing of circuit breakers. This can increase the reliability
and/or availability.
• Greater compactness, enclosed gas compartments, earthing system, and different
repair requirements.
Even if the reliability (availability) of GIS is higher than that of AIS, the aspects
mentioned can lead to a higher number of switches (e.g., busbar sectionalizers)
and to a greater number of secondary device requirements (e.g., another location
of instrument transformers, gas leakage sensors, overpressure protection, signal-
ing, and diagnostic/monitoring sensors – like partial discharge sensors).
• Number and location of earthing switches.
• GIS can be matched according to the given space at location in various forms
(installation in L-, U-, or ring-shape) even “multilevel” extending to different
floors in the building. As GIS is enclosed and the high-voltage conductor is not
accessible, each section has to be provided with an earthing switch (isolated or
non-isolated).
• Compactness and wide variety of GIS with different designs, dimensions, and
interfaces typical for different manufacturers or different generations of GIS.
This can cause some difficulties for further GIS extension (CIGRE Technical
Brochure 2009). Incorporating certain measures into the first stage of construc-
tion will reduce future constraints. Such measures affect not only building/site
area reserves but also single-line diagram, gas compartmentalization, and
layout. Their extent depends on the lapse of time in the further extension
stages, on the importance of the GIS, on the number of new bays, and on the
connection types of old and new bays. The single-line diagram design must
allow for the assumed final GIS extent from a network viewpoint (busbar and
switching schemes) as well as from a configuration-related viewpoint (the
order and connection type of all bays). In some cases it is useful to accept
16 GIS Configuration 379

early investment (e.g., busbar disconnectors and earthing switches, simple

removable joints, extension tubes, or busbars) to facilitate change at a future
stage, providing advantages in
• Project’s performance
• Substation availability (e.g., service continuity)
• Cost reduction in further extension, modification and maintenance purpose
• Bay designations.
• Type of each bay (line, transformer, reactor, auxiliary bay).
• Type of each bay connection – GIS offers several connection possibilities, i.e.:
• SF6/air bushings
• SF6/cable boxes
• SF6/oil or other insulation medium transformer bushings
• Encapsulated SF6-insulated lines (bus ducts)

Note: The single-line diagram should also show all air-insulated HV devices (i.e.,
surge arresters, VTs, or HV-HF equipment) which will be directly connected to
individual bays.

16.8 Layout Design

The modular system of GIS components allows the creation of any SLD (circuit
configurations/busbar schemes) in an effective way corresponding to the specific
conditions of each individual construction. Regarding layout, the GIS-earthed mod-
ular system with its compactness and minimal dimensions offers, in comparison with
AIS layouts, a much wider range of different combinations. These may be,
depending on a manufacturer’s design and specific conditions, characterized by the
following:

• Three- or single-phase encapsulation or a combination of both

• Mixed, separated, or coupled phases of busbars and/or bay arrangements
• Single-, two-, or more-line arrangement of circuit breakers
• Horizontal or vertical (“U” or “Z”) circuit breaker designs
• Vertical, horizontal, triangle, or upper or lower flange connected busbar
arrangements

Arranging GIS bays similar to AIS arrangements may result in a substantial cost
increase and unnecessary bus duct length, which can reduce GIS reliability. Never-
theless, in order to enable a manufacturer to design an optimized solution, it is
necessary for a user to provide a manufacturer with a detailed description of input
conditions in the technical specification of an enquiry. Simultaneously a user should
avoid over determination and should be ready to cooperate with the manufacturer
and/or be prepared to think about the manufacturer’s proposals for changes, so that
the optimization process will be effective.
380 P. Glaubitz et al.

16.9 Information to be Given by the User and the Manufacturer

16.9.1 Basic User Input Data

The user input conditions, which influence GIS layout design, must include at least
the following:

• Local environmental and ambient conditions for GIS

• Single-line diagram with major ratings
• Service requirements, e.g., type of circuit breaker auto reclosing (three-phase,
single-phase, or without AR), special switching conditions (reactors, generators,
filters, long lines, etc.), use of earthing switches with short-circuit switching
capacity
• Shape and dimensions of space availability (in case of an existing building,
extension or reconstruction of existing equipment, also the overall layout and
technical description of this equipment)
• Arrangement of relevant power equipment in the station:
• Direction and width of line corridors
• Location of power transformers
• Location of interface connections
• Specification of connection principles:
• SF6/air bushing connection: Required minimum air clearances (phase-to-phase
of one system, phase-to-phase of different systems, phase-to-earth), assumed
layout of towers or conductor anchoring (e.g., directly to wall)
• Cable connection: Type of cable, number of cables and number of their cores,
assumed cable routes
• SF6/transformer bushing connection: Type of transformer (reactor) and its
bushing arrangement
• SF6 bus ducts or gas-insulated lines (GIL): Distance and specification of
interface connection
• Arrangement of other equipment in station:
• Conventional HV equipment (e.g., surge arresters, instrument transformers,
air-insulated equipment in hybrid installations, etc.)
• Medium-voltage equipment (primary or secondary)
• Protective and control system, control room, auxiliary equipment, etc.
• Special requirements, if any, e.g.:
• Special requirements for assembly: Access roads, impact on remaining oper-
ational equipment, namely, when GIS is used for extension or reconstruction
of existing equipment
• Requirements for GIS operation during its further extension
• Special requirements for gas compartment division considering maintenance
and repair aspects
• Seismic requirements
16 GIS Configuration 381

16.9.2 Basic Manufacturer Input Data

The basic manufacturer’s proposal is the response to the user’s inquiry and the
provided input data. Consequently the quality and completeness depend on the
input data.

The basic manufacturer’s design should include:

• GIS type including all major ratings

• Single-line diagram
• Overall layout (area and height required)
• Weight of GIS and average loads on floors
• Any specific shock loads from circuit breaker operation
• Requirements for crane, if necessary
• Location and space for control cubicles
• Solution for connections to other equipment (SF6/air bushings, cables, bus ducts,
transformers)
• Limitations of scope of supply, with clear identification of interface
responsibilities
• Methods of achievement of special requirements

Deviations from the user input data or specifications should be mentioned and
alternatives indicated.

16.9.3 Optimization

The user’s specification is usually a collection of requirements of different

weighting. Some of them are essential for the user; others indicate only a preference.
However, for the manufacturer it is impossible to identify the difference. Moreover,
during the tendering stage, users tend to postpone clarification or alternatives due to
reasons concerned with evaluation. In consequence, high costs are sometimes
involved in the manufacturer’s attempt to meet the specification of which the user
may be unaware.
The optimization process is therefore an essential step on the way to achieving the
best technical and economical solution. The manufacturer should clearly indicate
which requirements increase costs and put forward alternatives. On the other hand,
the user should be ready to check the necessity of their requirements.

References
CIGRE Technical brochure 389 - Combining innovation and standardisation (2009)