Power Transmission and Distribution Solutions

2.5 Power Transmission Lines

energy have to be transmitted from the bottom of the cavern (e.g., the machine transformer / switchgear) to the surface (overhead line). As GIL systems pose no re risk, they can be integrated without restriction into tunnels or shafts that are accessible to man, and can also be used for ventilation at the same time. Thus, cost for tunnelling works can be reduced clearly. Direct burying Especially when used in lesser populated areas, directly buried GIL are a perfect solution. For that purpose, the tubes are safeguarded by a passive and active corrosion protection. The passive system comprises a HDPE coating which ensures at least 40 years of protection. The active system additionally provides cathodic DC protection potential for the aluminum tubes. Magentic elds measured at the surface above the line are minimal. The high transmission power of GIL minimizes the width of trench. The land consumption is lower by approx. 1/3 related to comparable cable installations (g. 2.5-8). References Siemens has gained experience with gas-insulated transmission lines at rated voltages of up to 550 kV, and with phase lengths totalling more than 85 km (2011). Implemented projects include GIL in tunnels, sloping galleries, vertical shafts, open-air installations, as well as directly buried. Flanging as well as welding has been applied as jointing technique. The rst GIL stretch built by Siemens was the connection of the turbine generator pumping motor of the pumped storage power station of Wehr in the Black Forest in Southern Germany with the switchyard. The 420 kV GIL is laid in a tunnel through a mountain and has a single-phase length of ~4,000 m (g. 2.5-1). This connection was commissioned in 1975. One of the later installations is the Limberg II pumped-storage power station in Kaprun, Austria, which was commissioned in 2010. Here a GIL system was laid in a shaft with a gradient of 42 . It connects the cavern power plant with the 380 kV overhead line at an altitude of about 1,600 meters. The GIL tunnel is used for ventilation purposes, and serves for emergency exit as well. That resulted in substantial cost reduction by eliminating the need for a second shaft in this project (g. 2.5-10). A typical example for a city link is the PALEXPO project in Geneva, Switzerland. A GIL system in a tunnel substitutes 500 meters of a former 300 kV double circuit overhead line, which had to move for the raised exhibition centre building. The line owner based his decision to opt for a GIL over a cable solution on the GILs much better values with respect to EMC. Thus, governmental requirements are met, and high sensitive electronic equipment can be exhibited and operated in the new hall without any danger of interference from the 300 kV connection located below it (g. 2.5-11). A typical example for a directly buried GIL is the reference project at Frankfurt Airport at Kelsterbach, which was commissioned in April 2011. The GIL solution allows to continue one phase of the OHL in one phase of GIL, thus reducing the size of both trench and transition area at the connection points (g. 2.5-8).

Total length, single phase: Above ground installation: Tunnel installation: Directly buried installation:

> 80,000 m > 52,000 m > 23,000 m > 5,000 m

Fig. 2.5-9: References: Gas-insulated transmission lines, status July 2010

Fig. 2.5-10: GIL laid in shaft with 42 gradient (Limberg, Kaprun, Austria)

Fig. 2.5-11: GIL replacing overhead line (Palexpo, Geneva, Switzerland)

For further information, please contact:

Tel.: ++ 49 91 31-7- 2 72 62 E-mail: stefan.schedl@siemens.com

Siemens Energy Sector Power Engineering Guide Edition 7.0

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