Background

Client: Leading UK-based Waste Management Group
Industry: Renewable Energy
Location: UK (9 Sites)

Client Overview

Our client, a leading energy-from-waste (EfW) company operates nine strategically located Energy Recovery Facilities (ERFs) across the UK. They contribute to the UK’s sustainability goals by converting waste into renewable energy, making the safety and reliability of their electrical infrastructure essential to their continued operations.

This case study explores the key services EPS provided the client across nine of their sites. Notably, we’ll discuss the key findings and recommendations from one of their energy recovery facilities based in Scotland.

Project Scope:

After company-wide changes to their protection devices, the client engaged EPS to conduct an in-depth analysis of the client’s electrical power distribution systems across each of their waste-to-energy plants. Our power system consultants were tasked with assessing their high-voltage (HV) and low-voltage (LV) systems for:

• Protection Coordination and Discrimination
• Arc Flash Energy Calculations
• Switchboard Risk Assessments (Arc Flash)
• Short Circuit Levels

Methodology

• Data Collection:
  To accurately assess the current state of the client’s assets, we gathered extensive data from site surveys and pre-existing electrical drawings and records.
• Modelling and Simulation:
  Our electrical engineers then simulated the client’s system configurations under various operating conditions using ETAP.
• Analysis and Reporting:
  After conducting detailed assessments and power system modelling, we gained many insights which informed our strategies for safeguarding the resilience and safety of our client’s electrical assets. Thereby, ensuring smooth operations across each of their waste-to-energy plants.

Energy-from-Waste Facility: Scotland

Key Findings and Recommendations

• Short Circuit Analysis:
  EPS modelled all LV busbars and protection devices above 100A, including motors over 30kW, to ensure that all circuits and protection devices were properly sized for various operational scenarios. We recommended replacing some devices found unsafe to reduce downtime and injury risks during short circuit faults.
• Protection Discrimination Assessment:
  Our electrical engineers used digital twin software to analyse HV settings and existing LV protection settings. Full discrimination was achieved for critical loads such as ID fans and feedwater pumps, as well as between circuits and bus couplers during transformer maintenance. Upon our analysis, we recommended refining HV relay settings and LV protection settings, reassessing transformer protection trip settings, and upgrading the feeder breaker trip units.
• Arc Flash:
  EPS also conducted an arc flash analysis based on the proposed low-voltage protection changes, including recommending what PPE to wear for each switchboard task and activity. Our recommendations to enhance safety measures included updating isolation procedural documents. We strongly emphasised comprehensive arc flash mitigation strategies rather than solely relying on arc flash PPE for protection during incidents following in accordance with the HSE Hierarchy of Control Measures.

Conclusion

EPS’s efforts contribute to a broader initiative, focusing on safeguarding the integrity and ensuring the efficiency of the entire distribution network. Implementing our recommendations ensures uninterrupted operations, significantly reducing the risk of equipment damage, injuries to personnel, and nuisance tripping stemming from short-circuit faults.

Don’t wait until it’s too late – contact us today at enquiries@engineeringpowersolutions.co.uk or 01642 987240 to safeguard your electrical infrastructure and minimise downtime and injuries.