Cost Effectiveness and Efficiency through Power System Analysis
At a large underground mine utilizing two power sources, mine personnel wanted to use the second source to feed some of the mining loads that were being supplied by the first source of power. The first source was supplied from the electric utility and the second source at the remote end of the mine.
Mon Valley Integration (MVI) was presented with the opportunity to answer the questions: What loads do we supply from the first source and what loads to we supply from the second source to remain within contractual guidelines with the utility and at the same time, provide the best voltage regulation for our mining loads?
The traditional approach to finding a solution would be “trial and error.” During a scheduled power outage, you would open a line switch and connect the second power source to the de-energized portion of the distribution system in hopes of not receiving any penalties from the power companies for over or under utilization. You will not know if there are penalties until the power bill is received the next month. If there are penalties, a second scheduled power outage and re-allocation of the power distribution must be completed. This process is not efficient or cost effective.
Through the use of ETAP, MVI is able to model the entire system, creating a one-line diagram of the system which will conduct a load flow analysis, short circuit analysis and relay coordination studies.
Power allocation and re-allocation can be simulated with just a few key strokes with results in just a few minutes instead of months and utility loading is verified to make certain there are no utilization penalties. In addition, voltage regulation and relay coordination can be done based on the chosen method.
MVI can model any power system to help Owner/Clients determine any “What If” scenario without the expense and wasted time of trial and error.