Work Experience in Saudi Electricity Company - Assignment Example

Engineering Practicum ENS4111 Saudi Electricity Company Student Name: Student Number: Supervisor Name: 2.0. Description of the Overall Activities in Saudi Electricity Company: My practicum experience took place at the SAUDI ELECTRICITY COMPANY where I was attached to the Engineering and Design Department. This department focusses mainly on the Extra High Voltage (EHV). The department is subdivided into different sectors where each student undertaking their practicum has to visit and get general overview of the company’s operations. These sectors include the Substation sector, Overhead Lines and Underground Cables sectors, and the Engineering Supporting sector. My tour around the company was quite informative as I was able to get a vivid explanation of the generation, transmission and supply activities of electricity conducted by the company. Saudi Electricity Company generates about 51,148 Megawatts (MW) which are well distributed across its 79 generation plants. The company has exploited the different opportunities to generate electric power by developing gas, steam, and diesel power plants. The company has EHV transmission lines, both overhead lines and underground cables, which are then connected to different types of loads via the distribution system. The key sector that I concentrated on was the substation sector of the company. An electrical substation describes a collection of electrical components that include busbars, switchgear, and power transformers, among many other auxiliaries. My presence in this section offered me an opportunity to understand how the aforementioned components are connected in a consistent sequence such that a circuit can be controlled by manual and/or automatic switches. Circuit control is critical for two main reasons: first being switching off of the circuit during abnormal conditions such as short circuit; and second during maintenance where the circuits needs to be opened for repairs. Also, I noted that the substation had incoming circuits and outgoing circuits that are connected together via Bus-bar systems. The different power stations delivered their power to the substation via incoming transmission lines. On the other hand, the outgoing transmission lines delivered the received power to the loads that are distributed across the entire country. Another component that I focused on was the Gas Insulated Switchgear (GIS) room. Understanding voltage transformations i.e. from high to low and low to high were the critical lessons that I learnt here. Electricity is normally generated at high voltage and later on transformed to low voltage at the AC distribution board. GIS carry out indispensable function in so far as controlling flow of electricity is concerned. In addition to the above, I came face to face with various types of transformers and their role in controlling power. The main types of transformers identified included Super grid Transformers (SGT), Auxiliary Transformer (also referred to as Station Service Transformer), Grid transformer, and earthing transformer. The function of current transformer was well evident especially in enhancing the measurements of various components of power i.e. current, voltage, and power angle. 3.0. Description of one activity in detail (Reactive Power Compensation) While at SEC, a tentative project on enhancing the voltage profile of the entire power system was under deliberation. Understandably, low voltage profiles in the system often translate to power losses which in turn cause financial losses to the company. Voltage instability in power systems is characterized by progressive voltage drop, which is gradual at first and becomes sharp after a while; and is trigged when the system is deficient of reactive power demanded. Essentially, I was able to learn that a power system normally operates at a given stable state. However, following a disturbance such as short-circuit or loss of a major power generating unit, this state of equilibrium may be disturbed. If the post disturbance equilibrium voltage is below the acceptable voltage limits, the entire system is described as unstable and this may lead to total black outs. Capacitor banks are often supplied at strategic points to supply this reactive power (normally referred to as Reactive Power Compensation (RPC)). If proper compensation is carried out, the voltage profile is enhanced, power losses minimized, and thus the company saves money that could otherwise been used to meet the cost of losses. Optimal Capacitor placement is an optimization problem which has an objective to define the sizes and locations of capacitors to be installed. Whereas capacitors have already been applied in Saudi gird for reactive power compensation, it is undeniable that they have not been optimally located in the system. This implies that Saudi Power is spending much of their revenue to purchase and install the costly capacitors banks in the system. In addition, despite installing them, the voltage profile still remain unstable and losses are high. However, by optimizing the location of these capacitors, it is expected that the number of capacitors banks, and hence their cost would significantly drop. Also, the voltage profile of the system will be far better in an optimized system. As a result, there will be some saving that can be channeled for other developmental agendas such as investing in non-renewable energy sources. 3.1. SHUNT CAPACITORS Are used to compensate for the reactive power requirement in transmissions and to ensure acceptable voltage levels during heavy loading conditions. They are also used in distribution systems in that they generate reactive power and correct the receiving end power factor. The reactive power injected is given by: ; Where Vr is the line voltage and Xc is the per phase capacitive reactance of the bank. The objective of power factor correction is to provide reactive power close to point where it is being consumed, rather than supply it from remote sources. Compensation by shunt capacitors increases the transfer limit of power to the loads. Therefore, it helps to prevent voltage collapse for many loading conditions. Shunt capacitors banks are always connected to the bus rather than to the line. They are connected either directly to the high voltage bus or to the tertiary winding of the main transformer. Shunt capacitor banks are breaker-switched either automatically by a voltage relays or manually. 4.0. Description of benefits gained in this Practicum experience: My period of practicum experience with the Saudi Electricity Company (SEC) has played a great role in helping me establish the distinction between the various disciplines in electrical and electronic engineering. For instance, it became evident to me that specialization is of essence in advancing this professional field. While the electronic engineers are often concerned with low voltages devices such as Programmable Logic Controllers (PLCs), electrical/power engineers are mostly concerned with high power generation, transmission and distribution. The exposure to the two distinct work environments would certainly go a long way to guide my specialization in this particular field. Another important aspect that I grained while at SEC was the essence of observing safety precaution whenever I am the work place. Electricity is one of the most beneficial innovations of man yet the most dangerous. Stories or rather accounts of deaths resulting from electricity experiments are well documented in the books of history. At some instance I even regretted my decision to join the profession as I feared for my life in the course of duty. However, my experience at SEC has taught me that safety precaution is paramount to mitigating hazards. All engineers at the generating stations and substations must have proper protective gear, including safety boots and gloves, to minimize the risks of electric shocks. Any engineer who is keen at observing the protective gears requirements as listed by Engineers Australia would certainly be safe at the work place. According to Engineers Australia, all engineers need to have the ability to apply technical competence in the job environment as well as communicate effectively. The practicum experience at SEC played a great role in enhancing this attributes. While I had amassed significant knowledge about power systems, I cannot deny the fact that I was totally a greenhorn in so far as hands-on experience is concerned. My time experience at SEC has not only given me the technical power but has also boosted my confidence in resolving electrical problems. Lastly, I was able to appreciate the role of ethics in the field of engineering. Ethics basically stipulate the rules of acceptable code of behavior in any professional undertaking. I had paid less attention to this attribute but my encounter with SEC changed my attitude towards it. First, SEC is a big Company that has the ability to engage in unscrupulous activities to defraud the general public. Nonetheless, the managers are keen not to engage in such activities as they are dangerous not only to the image of the company but also the economy of the entire nation. In addition, unethical behavior can cause one to lose their job after investigations find them to be guilty. 5.0. A reflection on the learning outcomes from the work experience: My learning experience and outcomes at SEC can best be described as informative. The lessons learnt in the entire period would go a long way to boost my career development in all positive respect. As already explained, this practicum offered me with a superb opportunity to bridge the gap between the highly theoretical class work and what actually takes place in the practical environment. The various theories regarding power system operation, their protection, as well enhancement became more vivid in my mind. Since there exists also a number of aspect that I was able to come across yet I have not studied them in class so far, I believe it would be an easy time for me when I shall be learning them. I might say the best achievement during the entire practicum period was the consistency at which I adhered and attended to all tasks that were assigned to me by my superiors. For instance, I was required to report to work early in the morning and stay to around 5 pm. This I followed to the latter. Also, my relationship with fellow colleagues and my supervisor was amazing as at no time did I engage in a tussle with any of them. In conclusion, therefore, my practicum experience has played a big role in helping me appreciate the engineering field. I have developed a strong bias towards power engineering. In addition, practicum experience has helped me build useful interpersonal skills that are hardly acquired in classrooms. Read More

3.0. Description of one activity in detail (Reactive Power Compensation) While at SEC, a tentative project on enhancing the voltage profile of the entire power system was under deliberation. Understandably, low voltage profiles in the system often translate to power losses which in turn cause financial losses to the company. Voltage instability in power systems is characterized by progressive voltage drop, which is gradual at first and becomes sharp after a while; and is trigged when the system is deficient of reactive power demanded.

Essentially, I was able to learn that a power system normally operates at a given stable state. However, following a disturbance such as short-circuit or loss of a major power generating unit, this state of equilibrium may be disturbed. If the post disturbance equilibrium voltage is below the acceptable voltage limits, the entire system is described as unstable and this may lead to total black outs. Capacitor banks are often supplied at strategic points to supply this reactive power (normally referred to as Reactive Power Compensation (RPC)).

If proper compensation is carried out, the voltage profile is enhanced, power losses minimized, and thus the company saves money that could otherwise been used to meet the cost of losses. Optimal Capacitor placement is an optimization problem which has an objective to define the sizes and locations of capacitors to be installed. Whereas capacitors have already been applied in Saudi gird for reactive power compensation, it is undeniable that they have not been optimally located in the system.

This implies that Saudi Power is spending much of their revenue to purchase and install the costly capacitors banks in the system. In addition, despite installing them, the voltage profile still remain unstable and losses are high. However, by optimizing the location of these capacitors, it is expected that the number of capacitors banks, and hence their cost would significantly drop. Also, the voltage profile of the system will be far better in an optimized system. As a result, there will be some saving that can be channeled for other developmental agendas such as investing in non-renewable energy sources. 3.1.

SHUNT CAPACITORS Are used to compensate for the reactive power requirement in transmissions and to ensure acceptable voltage levels during heavy loading conditions. They are also used in distribution systems in that they generate reactive power and correct the receiving end power factor. The reactive power injected is given by: ; Where Vr is the line voltage and Xc is the per phase capacitive reactance of the bank. The objective of power factor correction is to provide reactive power close to point where it is being consumed, rather than supply it from remote sources.

Compensation by shunt capacitors increases the transfer limit of power to the loads. Therefore, it helps to prevent voltage collapse for many loading conditions. Shunt capacitors banks are always connected to the bus rather than to the line. They are connected either directly to the high voltage bus or to the tertiary winding of the main transformer. Shunt capacitor banks are breaker-switched either automatically by a voltage relays or manually. 4.0. Description of benefits gained in this Practicum experience: My period of practicum experience with the Saudi Electricity Company (SEC) has played a great role in helping me establish the distinction between the various disciplines in electrical and electronic engineering.

For instance, it became evident to me that specialization is of essence in advancing this professional field. While the electronic engineers are often concerned with low voltages devices such as Programmable Logic Controllers (PLCs), electrical/power engineers are mostly concerned with high power generation, transmission and distribution. The exposure to the two distinct work environments would certainly go a long way to guide my specialization in this particular field. Another important aspect that I grained while at SEC was the essence of observing safety precaution whenever I am the work place.

Read More