As a large electricity consumer and producer, the Oil & Gas industry has to meet electric Utility Grid Code requirements when connecting onshore or offshore extraction sites, refineries and oil or gas power plants to the distribution or transmission network.
The grid code relies on the reduction of a rapid voltage change. It specifies that usually a voltage change has to be no greater than 3% and 5% for transmission and distribution networks, respectively. In this regard, power transformers become a mission critical asset.
One of the main causes of voltage disturbances is the energization of a power transformer. In fact, uncontrolled power transformer energization generates voltage disturbances and inrush currents that can reach up to 12 times the rated current. The inrush current may cause nuisance tripping of the station protection or may induce voltage dips that go over the utility’s limits. Both cases require mitigation strategies.
This is when the SynchroTeq controlled switching device becomes necessity, since it is capable of mitigating or completely eliminating inrush currents caused by transformer core flux saturation.
Benefits:
- Increases revenues with facility uptime optimization
- Complies with Utility Grid Code requirements and avoid penalties
- Decreases risks of production site shutdown and product failure
- Prevents downtime caused by network instability and voltage dips
- Ensures stable and reliable electricity from the utility
- Improves energy efficiency
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