Mobile Substation
Mobile Substation
Chapter 1
INTRODUCTION
The definition of mobile substation (or portable substation) may vary from utility to utility, from
manufacturer, and even from one part of the world to another. Our definition of a mobile substation is
a completely selfcontained trailer mounted unit comprised of transformer, cooling equipment, high
voltage and low voltage disconnects and power circuit protection (fuses or breakers/switchers),
metering, relaying (communication optional), AC and DC auxiliary power, surge protection, with
optional cable reeling equipment[1]. The mobile substation should be fully assembled with minimum
temporary bracing, and should be shipped from the factory with the transformer filled with insulating
oil. Field processing of transformer oil should not be required. The maximum height of the unit should
be 13 feet 6 inches or less, and the maximum width should be 8 feet 6 inches or less. State and Federal
road regulations should be met. These will define the other physical parameters of the substation,
including but not limited to trailer length, total weight, required tractor configuration, axle and kingpin
permissible loading, and axle spacing [1]. Set-up time under emergency conditions, as a guideline,
should be a maximum of 4 hours or less. Today even very small utilities are considering use of mobile
substations. In addition, the MVA size and circuit breaker interrupting ratings of mobile.
Source: OSHA
A typical substation is illustrated in Figure 3. Three transformers, each with a nominal 25-MVA
rating, reduce voltage from 69 to 13.8 kV. Note the cooling radiators and bushings on the tops
of the transformers; both are subject to damage during severe weather such as tornados or
hurricanes. Such damage is often repairable in the field, and spare equipment is kept in
inventory. In addition, the redundancy in this substation and sister substations a few miles away
constitute modern utility practice in urban environments. This substation serves several
shopping centers, an office park, and several residential subdivisions. The substation is relatively
compact but has room for perhaps one additional transformer.
In Figure 4, the two medium-sized, 3-phase, 161-kV power transformers each have an estimated
oil natural-air-forced flow (ONAF) capacity of 50 MVA. The extensive cooling fans on the
radiators indicate that this station expects a relatively high load during peak conditions (usually
summer). This substation is one of the sister substations to the substation shown in Figure 3.
Should the need arise, there is adequate room for expansion and the placement of a MTS for
maintenance or parallel service.
Transformers
Fig. 3. A utility substation with both modern transformers and bus structure.
Types of Transformers
For transformers, the key parameter is more often the amount of power that can be transferred
rather than the voltage. This parameter is measured in volt-amperes (VA) and incorporates both
the real power (measured in watts) and reactive power (measured in volt-amperes reactive or
VAR) because of the nature of the three-phase alternating current. Figure 5 identifies some
typical customer power requirements. However, not all load within a facility is considered
critical. While a hospital (especially trauma center) has peak load of 0.5-2 MVA and has full
back-up generation, a semiconductor manufacturing plant may have only 1-2 MVA critical in a
30 MVA peak. A refinery or large chemical plant can easily have a load larger than 100 MVA,
but would often generate its own electricity.
High-power transformers are defined as those with a rating over 100 MVA (megavolt-amperes),
while medium-power transformers are between 10 and 100 MVA. Low- or small-power
transformers are 1 to 10 MVA. The range of low-power transformers overlaps the large-
distribution transformers (1 to 5 MVA), but low-power transformers have high-side voltages that
are sub-transmission level or higher. Because of this overlap, estimates of small-power and
large-distribution transformers may be “double counted” in inventories; hence, no reliable
estimate of the number of these sized transformers is available.
Transformers with distribution voltage levels are also called distribution transformers and are
commodity items. Distribution transformers are relatively small, ranging in size from “bucket
size” to a few cubic meters (5 kVA to 5 MVA); they are easily replaced and are stocked for
emergency purposes by both utilities and electrical supply wholesalers. Both liquid and dry types
are used by industrial/commercial facilities. Because of higher efficiency, longer life, lower
weight/volume, and predominant outdoor use, utilities employ essentially all liquid/oil
transformers. Distribution transformers are not considered further in this report.
All power transformers are large, heavy, expensive, and generally use a paper/oil–based or
hybrid paper/oil/solid insulation system. High-side voltage levels range from 35 to 765 kV.
Prices for even the smallest units approach $100K, and several 100–200 MVA units easily sell
for $1M. The large (up to 1100 MVA) GSU and HV transmission units are now approaching $3–
5M or higher. Medium-power transformers for use in conventional substations have a nominal
price of about $600K for a 50-MVA unit, but prices vary according to specifications, such as
desired loss level and associated value of losses (A and B factors), impedance requirements, tap
changers, cooling requirements, and accessories.
Other distinguishing parameters of transformers are their insulation type (dry paper/oil based,
also called liquid based, and hybrid liquid/non-paper systems), number of phases (one or three
phase), adjustability (mechanisms for varying voltage and phase output), portability, core/coil
configuration (shell or core form), and winding configurations (dual or auto). Transformation of
power between voltages also requires extensive equipment such as disconnect switchgear,
cooling systems, monitoring equipment, breakers, voltage adjustment equipment (tap-changing
devices), and lightning arresters. Until recently, all medium- and large-power transformers were
paper/oil or mixed insulation systems. A recent development by ABB allows the use of dry
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insulation for medium-power transformers (to 42 MVA) operating at 69 kV. This report only
considers power transformers, specifically addressing mobile substations or portable
transformers that nominally are rated at 5 to 100 MVA with HV ratings of 230 kV or lower.
Description of Mobile Transformers and Substations
In the usual stationary or fixed applications, the transformers, switchgear, protective systems,
and station back-up power can be spread over a large area for insulating, safety, and maintenance
purposes. In contrast, the mobile system is generally self-contained and mounted on a large
trailer. Figures 6 and 7 show a typical mobile substation with some of the ancillary equipment.
The units are generally mounted on mobile trailers (or possibly, in some special cases, on flatbed
railcars). In most cases, special permits are still required to move the units because of the large
weight. Differing state transportation load limits on non-Federal local roads further complicate
the issue.
Mobile transformers are used by utilities to temporarily replace transformers that are out of
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service either for maintenance or because of forced outage. Mobile transformers are most widely
available in the medium-power range (10 to 100 MVA) with HV ratings to 245 kV. Large-power
transformers or higher-voltage transformers are too large to be mobile either because of physical
dimensions or weight.
As described in the Standard Handbook for Electrical Engineers (Fink and Carroll, 1969), the
Typical mobile transformer characteristics are shown in Tables 2 and 3. High-side voltages range
from 35 to 245 kV with sizes ranging from 5 MVA to 100 MVA. Estimates by transformer
manufacturers indicate that there are roughly 500 to 600 mobile transformers in service (slightly
greater than 1% of the medium-power transformer inventory). Some of these transformers are
quite old but are still serviceable because the number of hours that the mobile transformers are
used is much lower than that of fixed installations. Because the mobile units operate at a higher
power density than stationary units, losses are higher and, consequently, utilities use them only
until a suitable stationary unit is obtained. According to manufacturers of mobile substations, the
cost is about three times the cost of the fixed transformer alone. However, this includes the
trailer, switchgear, breakers, emergency or station power supply, a compact high-power-density
transformer, and enhanced cooling capability.
Mobile Fixed
Insulation Nomex®/Oil Paper/Oil-Nomex®
Trise (ºC) Up to 115 65
Flux Density 1.78 1.5–1.75
Current Density 4 kA/cm2 0.25–0.5 kA/cm2
Loss Evaluation No Yes
Full Load Losses 1.5% <0.5%
%Z 12–15% <10%
Breakers Yes Substation
Switches Yes Substation
Auxiliary Power Yes Substation
Given a total installed market of 50,000 transformers, a 2% growth rate in electricity demand
would require an additional 1000 transformers each year even without a replacement market.
(Ref. Manufacturer Communications)In addition to normal load growth, transformers are also
needed to replace failures in the existing inventory. Power transformers are generally
considered to be long lived. Utilities routinelydepreciate them over 20 years for accounting
purposes and use 30-year periods in planning analysis.
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However, Bartley and James estimate that units may be failing earlier in life than conventional
wisdom indicates, with average life at failure being about 14 years for all applications and 18
years for utilities (Bartley 2003a). However, the average age of the presently installed units is
over 40 years, and there are some in use that are over 70 years old. The age issue and predicted
increase in failures (Bartley 2003a) suggest a possible need for mobile transformers for
emergency and maintenance support. These MTS would temporarily supply load following
failures or assist heavily loaded substations during peak conditions, thereby lowering the stress
placed on older units.
Figure 11 shows the annual installation of transformer capacity through 1996 (Bartley 2003b),
and Fig. 12 shows an analysis of the failure rate of transformers as a function of age (Bartley
2003a). This data would indicate that failures may be occurring earlier than anticipated, and
hence production beyond the nominal growth rate may be needed.
Combining the failure projections from Bartley’s paper with continued installations of only
24 GVA/year between 1996 and 2006 (consistent with the 1996 installation amount) and failures
based on Fig. 12, the resulting level of failures in GVA is shown in Fig. 13. At 4.9 GVA of
transformer failures in 2006, the country would need 140 additional 35-MVA transformers in
addition to the 1000+ needed for new growth, and, as seen in Fig. 13, these amounts will
continue to grow.
Although the U.S. annual market for transformer sales is 1100 to 1200 per year, MTS systems
will only be a fraction of that total. Current MTS markets are limited due to the cost and
inefficiencies of the systems compared with non-mobile equipment. While MTS systems are
extremely valuable when rapid restoration or other short-term service is required, they are not
viable replacements for stationary substations. Currently, there are an estimated 600 MTS
systems in an overall U.S. market of around 50,000 transformers, or 1.2%. As increasing
numbers of transformers age and fail, and as electric reliability becomes more critical to the
Nation’s economy, the use of mobile transformers in proportion to total transformers could
increase.
Tables 5 through 8 quantify the North American transformer market. Over 80% of the medium–
power transformer North American market is manufactured in the United States.
Mergers of several major manufacturers continue. The VA Tech and Seimens merger has
received the European Union’s approval, and Compton Greaves has acquired Pauwels. In the
medium-power area, Waukesha has expanded its plants in Waukesha, Wisconsin, and is now an
active player in the large-power market with the capacity to build up to 420 MVA and 345 kV.
The recent opening of Howard Industries’ new medium-power transformer plant in Mississippi
suggests an anticipated increase in product demand for the sector.
While the size range (10–100 MVA) suggests that the manufacturer of portable transformers and
MTS is a subset of the general medium-power transformer sector, the MTS system is a very
specialized application that requires careful engineering and fabrication techniques that are
significantly different from those for a fixed substation. While all MTS manufacturers are also
players in the fixed market, the reverse is not true. The major manufacturers in the worldwide
MTS market, such as ABB and VA Tech/Siemens, are not active in the North American market,
but an increase in MTS demand could encourage them to enter.
Mobile transformers can be either single or three phase, and the unit may be the transformer
alone (a portable transformer) or the complete substation package with breakers, tap changers,
protective equipment, station power (battery and generator), and trailer.
In addition to the new transformer market, there are a few suppliers of used or rental
transformers. Included are both low- and medium-power transformers and MTS. Guaranteed
delivery times and lists of available inventory enable utilities and industry to preplan for forced
outage replacement with guaranteed availability for these suppliers. Some of the players in this
market are Aggreko/Sunbelt, Power Asset Recovery, GE, and Midwest.
The world market for electrical equipment ($30.8B) is dominated by ABB, with a 23% share of
world power products (Ref. ABB). For transformers, a $14.8B world market, the key
manufacturers are ABB with 21%, Siemens with 11%, Areva with 6%, and Schneider with 6%.
The power transformer share of the world transformer market is about 30%. This suggests that
the present North American market is about 20% of the world’s total power transformer market.
The ABB global market summary identifies the major issues for the electric grid. For North
America and South America, there is an aged infrastructure that needs to be refurbished. In the
United States, reliability concerns and passage of EPACT may trigger T&D investments. In
Northern Europe, Central Europe, and the Mediterranean, there is a need for interconnections
and power-grid upgrades that will require replacement and refurbishment. The power systems of
the world are experiencing the highest growth in North Asia and China where continued strong
government commitment to power infrastructure is creating the prospect of the world’s most
modern power grid. Also in South Asia and India, rural electrification is increasing demand for
power distribution products and systems with a trend for quality and branding. In the Middle
East and Africa, the oil and gas sector is the main driver for power T&D.
The largest and fastest growing part of the power transformer market is in China, India, and
Asia. In fact the world’s largest power transformer plant is located in Chongqing in central China
and is being built by a consortium of ABB, Siemens, and the Chinese government. (Hein) This
plant is one of the People’s Republic of China’s flagship factories, and not only will it be the
world’s largest transformer plant, it will also have the world’s largest transformers, which are
also being built by ABB. These units are supplied to the power plant at the Three Gorges Dam.
ABB has stated that while the plant is not dependent on the production volume for the Three
Gorges, it is supplying the 12 gigantic transformers for the right wing of the power plant at the
dam. The average output of each transformer is 840 MVA, which is enough to supply a large
modern city. Siemens and a Chinese vendor provide the 14 transformers on the other side of the
project.
Mobile systems currently fill the market need for temporary, medium-voltage transformers and
substations. Because they do not directly compete against foreign (or domestic) manufacturing of
stationary transformers, mobile transformers, to some extent, complement foreign manufacture
of stationary transformers because they provide a short-term solution until the foreign or
domestic stationary transformer is delivered. The difference in travel time for domestic versus
foreign-made transformers may only be a small factor in the overall time to receive the product.
Price and proven performance are the two major issues for purchasers of power transformers.
Electrical steel, or silicon electrical steel, contains relatively high amounts (3 to 4.5%) of silicon.
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This addition enhances certain magnetic properties, leading to lower losses and high
permeability. It is usually in the form of cold-rolled strips, called laminations, that are less than 2
mm thick.
There are two main types of electrical steel, grain oriented and non-oriented. Grain-oriented
electrical steel usually has a silicon level of 3% and is processed in such a way that the optimum
properties are developed in the coil rolling direction. Power transformers use grain-oriented steel
to reduce losses. Electrical steel is usually coated to increase electrical resistance between
laminations to lower eddy currents and to provide corrosion resistance. Main domestic suppliers
of electric steel are AK Steel and Allegheny Ludlum. Electrical steel is also available from
Japan, India, China, and the European Union. Variation in electrical steel prices can cause large
fluctuations in transformer prices.
While aluminum windings are found in distribution transformers, the lower losses and physical
properties of copper make it the only real choice for power transformer coils. Copper is a
commodity that is traded on world markets, and as with electrical steel, the price of copper
strongly influences the cost of power transformers. According to the Copper Development
Association, Chile is the world’s largest producer, followed by the United States. The major
producers of the wire used in transformers (magnet wire) are Phelps-Dodge and Algonquin
Industries Division of Rea.
Several major corporations supply insulating materials. The key players are Weidmann Electrical
Technology and Dupont. Dupont is the only supplier of the high-temperature insulation system
Nomex® that is used alone and with paper/oil hybrid insulation systems for high-power-density,
high-temperature operations.
Various analyses by manufacturers and independent market analysts have determined that there
is a current and increasing shortage of basic transformer materials, namely, transformer steel and
copper. Manufacturers indicate that over a two-year period, prices for copper have risen to $4/lb,
a 450% increase, while high-grade H1 core steel has increased 50% over the last year to a
nominal $2.87/kg. Since copper and steel are the major portions of the cost, power transformer
prices have risen very sharply. The major explanation for this is the increased demand for all
transformer materials in the Asian market. Following the law of supply and demand, the two
domestic transformer steel manufacturers are currently supplying a large portion of their spot
market product to the Asian and Chinese markets.
The production of power transformers is a labor-intensive process, and labor costs constitute 8 to
12% of a power transformer’s final cost. Power transformer manufacturers have moved many
plants offshore to countries with low labor costs (Mexico, India, China, and Korea) that are also
closer to the higher demand. While the technical skills needed are not commonplace, the
workforces can be trained relatively quickly.
MAJOR COMPONENTS:
Power Transformer:
It is the largest and heaviest and most costly piece of the mobile substation.
Mobile substation MVA and voltage combinations (HV and LV) are limited by DOT weight and
dimensions restrictions.
Multiple voltages requirement (HV and LV) will add size and weight to the unit, thus reducing
MVA rating of the transformer and mobile substation.
LTC requirement will add weight and size to the mobile unit, thus reducing MVA rating of the
transformer and mobile substation.
HV BIL reduction have great impact on mobile transformer weight and size reduction.
Impedances for mobile transformer is much higher than a conventional unit. Typically they are 2
times the ANSI standard values.
Losses are not evaluated for mobile transformer. The losses are much higher than conventional
unit.
Mobile transformer noise levels are typically NEMA standard. Lower noise levels should be
avoided if possible because the cooler size and weight becomes excessive.
The LTC is typically on the LV side for LV regulation. For multiple LV voltages, it is advisable to go
with 2:1 ratio’s LV’s to avoid the requirement of a series transformer for the LTC. Because this will
add weight and size to the transformer.
• Several switch options are available to increase the functionality of the transformer:
– LTC
– DTC
– Series/Parallel
– Delta/ Wye
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Transformer Cooling
• The heat exchanger system consists of one or two Brand X coolers. These are mobile transformer
type oil coolers complete with copper liner tubes and aluminum extruded fins, pumps and fans.
The system incorporates two pipe systems for the flow of the oil. The heat exchanger is
designed to provide the maximum cooling efficiency. The cooling system can consists of two
pumps and multiple fans . When one pump shuts down, the cooling system is capable of
providing adequate cooling for continuous operation at 70% rated load indefinitely with no
adverse or abnormal affect on the transformer. Pumps and fans shall not be controlled by
winding temperature and must be energized during normal operation.
• All piping between the transformer and the heat exchanger will be seamless metal and
incorporate stainless steel flex joints to allow for vibration and expansion without any adverse
effects. Pipe fittings and valves are suitable for high pressure applications.
• Oil flow sensors c/w alarm contacts are provided on each of the pipes to the heat exchanger.
– Circuit Switcher
– Power Fuses
– Transrupter II
– Surge Arresters
• Circuit Breaker and Disconnect Switch can be on a separate trailer (typical for 115kV and
higher)
• Circuit Switcher can be on a separate trailer, typical when the weight and dimensions of the
main unit exceed the specification or D.O.T. limits.
• For voltages up to and including 38kV, MSU typically equipped with either a fused disconnect
switch or vacuum circuit breaker with disconnect switch
• For voltages up to 69kV, the choice is typically a fused disconnect switch, circuit switcher, SF6
circuit breaker or Transrupter II.
– Vacuum circuit breakers not available at 69kV and above
• For voltages up to 115kV and 138kV, a circuit switcher limited to 8 or 20kA is typical.
– 25, 31.5, and 40kA circuit switchers not usable due to mechanical limitations
– For 40, 50 or 63kA, dead tank circuit breaker is required, typically making use of a second
trailer necessary
• At present, breaker manufactures and gov’t entities do not allow transport of SF6 breakers
under pressure
– Majority of gas is removed for transport
– SF6 gas handling system is required to prep for transport and operation
• Surge Arresters
• Potential Transformers
• Current Transformer
• Recloser
• Cable Reels
Protection
• Main Control Panel
• Battery Cabinet
• Typical size of cabinet for 125 VDC NiCad : 1600 lbs, 80 inches wide x 55 inches deep x 65 inches
high.
• Typical size of cabinet for 125 VDC Lead Acid : 900 lbs, 40 inches wide x 26 inches deep x 41
inches high.
• Typical size of cabinet for 48 VDC NiCad : 550 lbs, 60 inches wide x 26 inches deep x 42 inches
high.
• Typical size of cabinet for 48 VDC Lead Acid : 400 lbs, 30 inches wide x 27 inches deep x 40
inches high.
Trailer
• The equipment trailer and the Purchaser’s towing tractor together must meet the highway
regulations of the States/Counties where the substation will be operated. The Purchaser may
have to consider certain compromises on the substation design to obtain minimum weights and
to meet highway operating regulations.
• Typical trailer arrangements include multiple axles, jeep dolly and/or booster to distribute weight.
• By proper location of the transformer and other apparatus the weight will comply with State DOT.
• Chock blocks for holding the trailer stationary when disconnected from the tractor.
• Other options:
– Storage boxes
– Cooler Guards
– Auxiliary generator
• Hydraulic Levelling
• Gas Engine
– Supplies power to operate pump
Applications
• Continuity of service for planned construction, maintenance and
inspection programs
• Standby or temporary service
• Over-capacity service
• Replace complete substation in event of equipment failure
• Electrical power source in isolated areas
• Backup unit in countries with earthquake, flood, war, etc
• Power source for de-icing of HV lines in very cold areas
Mobile Applications
Many of the critical infrastructures in this country rely heavily on electric power for their
continued operation. Certain infrastructures, including the communications industry, public
health, and government services such as first responders in emergencies, have a crucial role to
play in a rapid response to outages. However, the critical infrastructure that would deal most
directly with MTS systems is the electric power industry, which owns and operates the
substations in which MTS systems would be used to replace lost equipment.
The electrical grid is a tightly integrated network that requires precise operation of all
components to safely and efficiently provide power to end users. While the vast majority of
outages are due to power line failures, the grid is also highly vulnerable to disruption at
substations, where multiple lines intersect. Because substations are nodal points, a single failure
can impact a large number of end users. There are thousands of substations across the country,
and in any year, transformers at some of these will fail or be pulled from service. Unexpected
failures can seriously disrupt the grid in the surrounding territory. As indicated earlier, there is
usually sufficient redundancy in the system to withstand most single-transformer failures;
however, substations serving low-load-density areas may not have sufficient contingency to
overcome the loss.
MTS systems are used for a variety of reasons within a utility. However, the losses and costs
associated with these systems are generally too high for them to be used as long-term
replacements. In addition, MTS systems have lower impedance, which results in higher fault
currents, leading to greater stress on grid components such as breakers. Rather, utilities utilize
MTS systems for their main advantage—their rapid deployment capability (roughly 12 to
25 hours). Their flexibility allows them to be switched from one task to another relatively easily
and is in fact a main rationale for a utility to own and operate a MTS. The potential purposes of
an MTS include the following:
Planned maintenance
Temporary substation capacity increases
Forced outage repairs
Weather and other natural outages
Sabotage and attacks
Planned Maintenance
MTS systems are used on a day-to-day basis within the utility to provide alternate capacity
during planned maintenance of substations. Because it is desirable to have MTS systems
available for emergency duty during peak loading or extreme weather conditions, utilities
schedule their planned maintenance around the time when MTS systems are less likely to be
needed for emergency use. Since the utility will have only a limited number of MTS systems,
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substation repairs must then be staggered or delayed due to unplanned substation transformer
outages.
MTS systems may be called upon when an area may be faced with a temporary load increase that
is not expected to last more than several months or perhaps a couple of years. Examples are
construction projects or major plant modifications that require high electrical loads that will drop
following completion. Special events can boost the capacity needs for a short time period. An
MTS can be used to avoid the cost of a permanent upgrade that would rarely be used. Another
example is to rapidly provide increased substation capacity during peak load conditions prior to
substation upgrades, in the case where equipment deliveries were delayed or other problems
arose that slowed the capacity expansion.
One of the main areas in utility systems where MTS systems could reduce vulnerabilities is in
medium-voltage rural areas without redundancy. Often the grid in these areas is topologically in
a radial arrangement that does not allow for the redundancy of parallel circuits. Loss of a
substation or even a key transformer within the substation can cause significant supply problems
downstream. The Dyersburg example described in Sect. 2.2.3 shows the social and economic
impact of the loss of a substation in regions that do not have multiple feeds.
Unplanned repairs can be called for due to existing equipment failure, weather phenomenon, or
intentional disruptions. Equipment failure is the most common rationale for deployment.
Lightning can cause a delayed failure or accelerate the aging of critical elements of the
transformer. As transformers age, an increasing percentage of them can face sudden failure.
Utilities attempt to monitor transformer conditions such as oil chemistry or load profiles to
predict impending failure, but for many reasons, unexpected failures can still occur.
Subsequent to forced outages there are startup issues that should be addressed. The IEEE
Recommended Practices for Emergency and Standby Power Systems for Industrial and
Commercial Applications (IEEE, 1987) contains words of caution in the section on startup
power. Paragraph 3.3.6 applies to all mobile equipment of all types in emergency situations:
“Mobile equipment may suffice if it can be reasonably assumed to be available when needed.
(Who has the highest priority when all have the need?)” Section 4.5.6 of the same standard
suggests rental equipment as a viable alternative if mobile power is found to be too expensive
(IEEE, 1987).
Weather and natural disasters are the main cause of electrical outages, although most often these
have a larger impact on the power lines leading to and from the substations than on the
substations and transformers themselves. Some natural disasters can harm substation operations
and create a need for MTS systems. The most likely are intense thunderstorms and tornados.
Tornados are powerful enough that if they strike a substation, the equipment will generally be
destroyed and require replacement. Floods also can cause massive damage either from the force
of the water or shorting out and thus damaging equipment. It is generally flooding or flying
debris that causes damage during hurricanes since substations can be designed to withstand
hurricane-level winds.
Intentional disruptions such as sabotage could severely harm our Nation’s electrical grid, and
most substations are very vulnerable to attack. Substations are usually unmanned, remote,
exposed, and have few physical barriers. Utilities rely more on redundancy of the grid for
mitigation rather than on hardening of individual sites. The larger sites frequently have personnel
and improved protections, but the consequences of loss of these large sites are comparatively
greater as well. There are few options available for the replacement of a destroyed high-power
transformer. While MTS systems as large as 100 MVA exist, MTS systems are typically below
50 MVA in size, with high-side voltages not exceeding 230 kV. High-power transformers, as
described above, are greater than 100 MVA and can have high-side voltages of 345 kV or higher
and at present can not be backed up by MTS.
MTS systems can play a crucial role in several scenarios involving deliberate attacks. The
ultimate target may be a critical infrastructure with limited access to electric power through just
one or two medium-power substations. If the facility is vital to area health or other social needs
and its substation links are destroyed, MTS systems may be useful in returning the facility to
normal operations more quickly. This may be especially true if the attack strikes several
substations, perhaps in order to bring down portions of a large urban area. The choice the utility
must make is generally between mobile substations and either fixed or mobile emergency
generation. Even with the use of emergency generation, small mobile transformers may be called
upon to adjust voltages in the area, or to mitigate prolonged disruption.
A number of utility personnel and consultants were interviewed to determine the appropriate role
that MTS systems play within their company. They identified the categories above as potential
uses for MTS systems, with the main use being substation repair and maintenance. Construction
and maintenance schedules are based on the availability of their MTS, and any delays can cause
a domino-like rescheduling of other work.
The utilities may share their equipment within their own distribution utilities, but there did not
appear to be much sharing of the equipment with other utilities. In some cases, they lease
equipment to preferred customers at reasonable rates. One utility representative mentioned that a
transformer serving a coal mine within his utility’s territory had failed and that a MTS was used
to provide continued operation.
One consultant familiar with the industry noted that MTS systems had been used for rebuilding
and construction in substations, as temporary substations during construction of a new
substation, for handling temporary loads that are transient in location like highway construction,
and in military applications. Temporary substations had also been needed for new developments
where line construction and new substations are behind the budget curve (sometimes for several
years). Other utility representatives indicated that mobile systems were used for transformer
failure replacements (up to 6 months), feeding isolated areas where service may be curtailed at a
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later date. A consultant noted that in areas hit by disasters like Hurricane Katrina, these units “are
a Godsend.” Since large-utility-class transformers require a 6-month to 1-year lead time in a
normal economic environment, mobiles are very helpful in these situations.
On July 9, 2003, with temperatures in the Central Valley of California topping 100F, a
transformer failed at the Coleman National Fish Hatchery south of Redding. As planned, the
emergency back-up generators kicked in to supply power, and Western Area Power
Administration crews immediately began efforts to repair the transformer but were unsuccessful.
Western maintains the power facilities that serve the hatchery under a contract with the Bureau
of Reclamation; the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service operates the hatchery. The hatchery releases
about 12 million fall-run chinook salmon smelts, 1 million late-fall-run chinook, and 600,000
steelhead trout each year. The steelhead trout is on the threatened and endangered species list,
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and the chinook are possible candidates for the list. The two diesel back-up generators that were
used burned 766 gallons of diesel a day, an additional expense and source of air emissions. On
July 14, Western decided to install a mobile substation housed at the nearby Olinda Substation.
On July 15, the mobile substation was delivered to the hatchery. Maintenance crews
started connecting the Pacific Gas and Electric (PG&E) power lines to the mobile
substation and the lower-voltage lines from the mobile substation to the hatchery
equipment. By July 16, the mobile substation had been connected, but crews
encountered problems when it was energized.
Fortunately, those problems were resolved, and the mobile substation was carrying the
hatchery load by the afternoon of July 17. The mobile substation, mounted on a 60-foot
flatbed, included a transformer that could be set for the 60- to 12-kV voltage change
needed at the hatchery.
Chicago Loop
On April 13, 1999, subbasements in the Downtown Loop of Chicago, Illinois, were
flooded due to construction in tunnels under the Chicago River. Power was shut off at
the substations to avoid shorting out the systems. In response, businesses rented
numerous diesel-generating sets to provide power to individual buildings. Patten Power
Systems alone provided 35 generating sets representing 15 MW of power. Some
locations also brought in mobile transformers to allow the transformation of power
from emergency generators to lower voltages needed within the buildings. However,
these transformers were of distribution-level size, in the 500-kVA range, rather than the
larger MTS systems.
Black Hills Corporation in Rapid City, South Dakota, provides power for the western
South Dakota region. Included in their territory is Sturgis, South Dakota, where for 1
week each summer the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally is held. This enormous gathering of
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motorcycle riders from around the country can expand the population of the town from
6,400 to over 500,000. A representative of the Black Hills Corporation has said that
they use an MTS to increase the power capacity during this time.
Vermont Electric Power Company
Vermont Electric Power Company, which provides transmission service to several area
distribution utilities, maintains an MTS system for use in its region. In designing the
mobile system, locations and road approach limitations to substations had to be taken
into consideration so that the vehicle carrying the mobile system would have adequate
clearance. Figure 10 shows a typical arrangement for an MTS system at one of the
substations (Wright, 2003). This 115- to
39-kV substation has a single transformer and would need an MTS system to be back
online quickly. The utility had purchased a transportable 50-MVA transformer in
1974. In 2001, they redesigned the truck and support equipment to make it more
mobile and easier to set up in the event of a power emergency.
Potential Applications
The most obvious users of MTS systems within the Federal Government are the Federal
electric utilities, such as the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA), Bonneville Power
Authority (BPA), and Western Area Power Administration (WAPA). These utilities
currently use MTS systems for their own systems or those of their distribution utility
customers. They may either directly own the systems or have agreements with their
distribution utility customers that allow them to use the systems as needed. The
Dyersburg and Coleman National Fish Hatchery case studies, discussed in section 2.2.3,
are examples of MTS use by TVA and WAPA.
MTS systems are a small fraction of the overall transformation capacity. They cannot
be expected to supplant a large fraction of total government transformation
requirements. The highest priority government functions already have in place on-site
generation and/or redundancy in connections to the grid. The MTS systems can provide
a tertiary line of defense to the critical facilities.
The Department of Defense Energy Security Policy since 1992 has stated the following:
In general, these energy security plans should address utility system vulnerability,
emergency preparedness requirements, and remedial actions needed to protect
against potential problems. Energy security plans should be consistent with the
Army’s strategy to privatize utilities and reduce the cost of operating and
maintaining the utility infrastructure.
Installations should clearly define their utility requirements and partner with their
local utility suppliers to meet them. Any remedial actions that run counter to utilities
privatization, in terms of ownership and operation, must be approved by ASCIM
[the Assistant Chief of Staff for Installation Management]. (Wilberger, 2004)
Based on these directives, military facilities are to work with their local utilities in
ensuring that adequate infrastructures are in place. Rather than own and maintain its
own utility equipment, the strategy is to encourage the privatization of infrastructure.
Because the substation and downstream infrastructure on the bases would be owned by
the local utility and if MTS were deemed necessary in specific cases to ensure energy
security, it could be advantageous for both
the military and the utility to jointly invest in an MTS system. The military base may
be of such criticality that a spare substation/transformer would be useful, while having
such a system mobile could also be advantageous to the utility since it would then be
available in the event of other substation outages.
On Dec. 17, 2003, President Bush signed Homeland Security Presidential Directive
(HSPD) - 7 that sets the policies of the Government with regard to critical
infrastructure. The policy states the following:
(7) It is the policy of the United States to enhance the protection of our
Nation's critical infrastructure and key resources against terrorist acts that
could:
(8) Federal departments and agencies will identify, prioritize, and coordinate the
protection of critical infrastructure and key resources in order to prevent, deter, and
mitigate the effects of deliberate efforts to destroy, incapacitate, or exploit them.
Federal departments and agencies will work with State and local governments and
the private sector to accomplish this objective. (White, 2003)
Furthermore, HSPD-7 directs all agencies to address the vulnerabilities within their own
domain.
(24) All Federal department and agency heads are responsible for the identification,
prioritization, assessment, remediation, and protection of their respective internal
critical infrastructure and key resources. Consistent with the Federal Information
Security Management Act of 2002, agencies will identify and provide information
security protections commensurate with the risk and magnitude of the harm
Similar to the military bases, most other components of the Federal Government are
end-use customers for electric power, and are not involved at the level that would put
them in control of substations where MTS systems would be applicable. Essential
functions are supported by back- up generation. However, if there is a federal facility
that is large enough to require a significant fraction of a substation’s output, has a
critical need for power, is isolated on the grid, does not have uninterruptible power
supplies, redundant transfer to alternate power feeds or on-site back
up generation, and that a spare transformer would significantly increase their energy
security, then a joint ownership agreement of an MTS with the local utility could be
considered. As with the military base example, the MTS would be useful to the
facility for redundancy and of potentially more value to the utility than a spare
transformer because of its mobility.
Telephone systems (and now most cell sites) do not depend on the grid to function.
While MTS systems may play a role in defending against prolonged outages, they fall
behind uninterruptible power supplies, redundant transfer to alternate power feeds, and
on-site generation as the tools of choice for guaranteed electric service immediately
after a disruption.
an MTS.
MTS systems can serve a vital role in protecting the Nation’s electrical infrastructure.
Their flexibility allows them to switch from one purpose to another relatively easily.
When needed, the MTS enables temporary restoration of grid service while
circumventing damaged substation equipment, allowing time to procure certain long
lead-time grid components.
However, for seamless continuity of operation, it is critical that there is virtually a
continuous supply of electricity. This can only occur through uninterruptible power
supplies (e.g. batteries), redundant power feeds, and on-site generation. Yet, where
disruption is prolonged due to equipment failure or total destruction from a war or act of
terrorism, and especially where the problems are isolated to the substation, the MTS can
play a critical role in reestablishing grid connections.
Government facilities and local utilities know their systems’ redundancy and needs.
Local utility involvement is crucial since most components of the federal government
are end-use customers for electric power and are not involved at the level that would
put them in control of the substations where MTS systems could be applicable. For
cases that have been identified through existing processes to have a need for additional
redundancy and for which MTS systems make good economic and security sense, there
may be some justification for the government to consider through single or joint
ownership. However, because of the variety of ways emergency power can be provided,
each case should be considered independently.
Regulatory
A fixed substation is considered part of the transmission and distribution (T&D) grid.
Although mobile substations and mobile transformers are not a permanent part of the
grid structure; they play a vital role in maintaining the reliability and security of a
utility's grid system. The availability of mobile transformers and mobile substations
enables system operators to rapidly restore electrical service where there is equipment
failure, forced outage repairs, natural disasters, and acts of terrorism. When mobile
transformers and mobile substations are used to restore electrical service in such
situations, they function as part of the permanent grid system.
In effect, they are an integral and critical part of the utility's electrical system.
Accordingly, an investment in technologies like this to address reliability and security
concerns may be prudent in today’s operating environment and should not be
discouraged simply because the technologies are unconventional.
MTS are classed as low- and medium-power transformers and has no effect on the U.
S. dependence on foreign production for large-power transformers. The low- and
medium-power transformer market is already supported by a domestic manufacturing
capability. In addition, because they do not directly compete against foreign (or
domestic) manufacturing of stationary transformers, mobile transformers, to some
extent, complement the manufacture of stationary transformers because they provide a
short-term solution until the foreign or domestic stationary transformer is delivered.
References
ABB Power Products Division and ABB Power Systems, ABB Products, systems,
services in power: An overview, ABB library and database located at:
http://www.abb.com/global/veabb/veabb051.nsf/0/d78692ef1282021ec1257164006f0d
d9/$file/p resentationpt.pdf
Hein, Christoph, The worlds biggest transformer plant is operating at full capacity,
Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung, April 21, 2006. Article at the ABB library archives:
http://www.abb.com/global/abbzh/abbzh251.nsf!OpenDatabase&db=/global/seitp/
seitp321.nsf&
v=9AAC750000&e=us&m=9F2&c=4AA7ACF50738D3B3C1256EE600420386
Morales, D.K. 1992, Defense Energy Program Policy Memorandum (DEPPM) 92-1,
Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense, January 14.
NERC (2005), Electricity Supply and Demand Database, North American Electric
Reliability Council, September. http://www.nerc.com/~esd/
Patterson TVA (Communication with Oak Ridge National Laboratory, use approved by
TVA)
Wright, Jeffery M., Matt McCormack and Norman Field, The Retrofit of a
Transportable Transformer to a Mobile, Vermont Electric Power Company, presented
to 2003 Third Annual New Diagnostic Concepts for Better Asset Management
November 10-12, 2003 Radisson Deauville Resort, Miami Beach, FL. See
http://www.weidmann- acti.com/u/library/2003wrightpaper.pdf (Wright 2003).