This training course is designed for utility or consulting engineers and technicians involved in the planning and/or design of distribution facilities. If you are beginning a career in this area, this training course will be of great benefit to you. Prerequisite knowledge necessary to succeed in this course includes a basic familiarity with utility power distribution.
This training course is suitable for a wide range of professionals but will greatly benefit:
Engineers and technicians new to the electric utility industry
Intermediate-level engineers and technicians responsible for utility distribution planning and design
Professionals involved with improving distribution system reliability
Utility engineers and consultants who conduct load forecasts and studies
Engineers tasked with assessing the performance of power distribution systems
Duration
5 Days
Programme Overview
This training course covers the process of planning an electrical utility distribution system to assure adequacy, reliability, and economy. The course begins with an overview of the distribution system and its basic equipment. Next, the planning process is explored, step-by-step, emphasizing the importance of each step in achieving the desired outcome. An in-depth view of engineering economics is included to assure cost-effectiveness of the capital-intensive infrastructure. Since the planning process is necessitated due to changes in load, the process of performing and interpreting load forecasts is investigated. Finally, means of quantifying and measuring reliability will be presented so the reliability of the distribution can be properly assessed.
Utility customers today are demanding higher reliability and lower costs, and this trend will undoubtedly continue for the next several decades. Effective planning techniques provide a means of meeting the customer demands of reliability and economy while better positioning the utility for adapting to future customer requirements. This training course presents proven planning methods which will benefit both the utility and its customers.
This training course will feature:
Distribution System and Equipment Overview
The Planning Process
Engineering Economics
Load Forecasting
Reliability Assessment
Objectives
By the end of this training course, participants will be able to:
Specify optimum distribution system topologies and equipment
Conduct comprehensive planning studies
Perform the calculations necessary to economically justify system improvement projects
Implement and interpret load forecasts for distribution system studies
Quantify reliability and assess progress toward achieving reliability goals
Methodology
This training course will utilize a variety of proven adult learning techniques to ensure maximum understanding, comprehension, and retention of the information presented. This includes incorporating case studies and scenarios from numerous utilities as well as classroom exercises to engage the delegates in planning strategies and methods. Goals and objectives for a comprehensive system plan will be studied, balancing system performance with economics. Increases in reliability will be deliberated and realistic means of achieving improved reliability goals will be explored.
Course Outline
Day One: System and Equipment Overview
System Objectives and Hierarchy
System Topologies and Service Areas
True System Costs
Substation Equipment
Feeder Equipment
The Need to Automate
Day Two: The Planning Process
Evaluation Methods and Criteria
Sensitivity Analysis
Planning Horizons
Planning Methods
Four-Step Process
Lead Times
Day Three: Engineering Economics
Time Value of Money
Cash Flow Constraints
Cost of Losses
Cost-Benefit Analysis
Asset Management
Reliability Centered Maintenance
Day Four: Load Forecasting
Objectives of Small-Area Load Forecasting
Informal Methods
Simple Trending
Sophisticated Trending
Simulation Methods
Putting it All Together
Day Five: Reliability Assessment
Definitions of Industry-Standard Reliability Terms
Reliability Indices
Relationship between System Protection and Reliability
