Power System Protection

Relay protection is the backbone of any energy system, acting as a safeguard against faults and disturbances that could lead to downtime, damage, or even catastrophic failures. By swiftly detecting abnormalities and isolating affected components, relay protection minimizes interruptions to the flow of power and ensures the safety of both personnel and assets. In today’s interconnected and dynamic energy landscape, the importance of reliable relay protection cannot be overstated. From preventing blackouts to minimizing operational disruptions, relay protection is essential for maintaining grid stability, optimizing asset performance, and safeguarding investments.

Our highly specialized consultants offer extensive experience in power system protection to distribution, transmission and industrial networks, including generation connections for thermal and hydro plants, solar, Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) and both onshore and offshore wind farms.

Fault analysis using DIgSILENT or other power system modeling software
Preparation of protection key line diagrams
Preparation of technical specifications
Owner’s engineer roles for protection system design review
Protection design review
System modeling and protection grading studies
Preparation of protection policies
Tender assessment
Calculation of protection relay settings
Concept and detail design
Witnessing of factory testing
Commissioning supervision
Strategic advice on protection integration and asset management planning
Protection grid interface compliance assessment
Arc flash assessment studies

Transmission Protection and Control Design Support

PSC were engaged to provide protection and control design support across voltages from 33 kV to 400 kV for a period of up to one year to cover for staff temporary absence. The work covered all aspects of protection and control for ongoing projects, connection costing, policy updates, etc across the client’s business.

Update of policy documents, production of scope documents for Load Management Schemes to protect the network in areas with numerous distributed generation connections, input to costing for Load Management Schemes, and attendance at site visits where required.

Protection Schemes and Settings Review for Hydro Generation plant in Australia

PSC was engaged to review the existing generator and its relevant plant protection schemes to ensure the settings and performance comply with the proposed Generator Performance Standards as well as the National Electricity Rules Requirements.

PSC also carried out protection gap analysis by assessing internal protection standards and existing protection schemes to identify protection coverage risks as well as reliability risks.

Protection Grading Review and Arc Flash Hazard Assessments for BHP Nickel West

PSC has considerable experience working with BHP sites’ models using DIgSILENT PowerFactory and has been developing the power system network models’ integrity, after which PSC was selected as the custodian of the models.
Developed a Basis of Study (BoS) document for the preparation of power system studies, protection grading review and arc flash risk assessment according to IEEE 1584-2018 to facilitate a consistent work practice that assisted with the quality of the study outcomes.
Provided multiple comprehensive reports with protection time grading studies, arc flash hazard assessments and mitigation strategies to address high fault arc levels.