Underground Cable Route Design Pentir Wider Works 400kV

Project Brief

LSTC was appointed by National Grid to assess the feasibility of a new 400kV circuit (2642MVA) within a substation site on a decommissioned nuclear generation site in a national park. With LSTC’s in-house overhead and underground teams it enabled cooperative working in-house.

Our Approach

Due to the limited capacity and presence of an existing 400kV trough system a full topographical survey, utility tracing and GPR investigation were conducted to understand the existing spatial capacity and apparatus within the substation. The cable system design was conducted in parallel to understand the working corridor required.

LSTC delivered a detailed cable system design that when combined with the onsite investigations allowed for a suitable methodology to be provided. With a new gantry, overhead tower design and position agreed it was then possible to provide a cable design and route to the final connection point that met the rating standards of 2642MVA as requested by the client.

Challenges

LSTC had to design a new termination tower providing a connection to a new underground circuit within the substation site. A new 400kV circuit with 2 cables per phase and an additional phase for the existing circuit was required from the new overhead connection gantry and the proposed substation termination.

Project Outcome / Deliverables

• Detailed cable design to 400kV.
• Feasibility studies for particular technical solutions.
• Full topographical surveys & on-site utility identification.
• GPR survey and analysis.
• Cost estimations of technical solutions.
• Accredited staff for EHV SS working.
• Detailed rating study including derating analysis & Thermal Resistivity testing.
• Programme delivery including estimated planning application periods and construction periods.
• Overhead tower termination design & substation termination design.
• Technical consents, tender package and construction information & detailed design and reports were provided.