Representative Projects Completed By SES
Client: | Duke Energy |
Completion Date: | August 2019 |
Project Outline:
Detailed third-party review by SES of AC interference mitigation study of extensive exposure of Atlantic Coast Pipeline to 18 Duke Energy transmission lines ranging from 115 kV to 500 kV, including a continuous parallel exposure to roughly 24 miles of 500 kV line and close proximity to a major substation. The AC interference mitigation study report, associated computer models and new data collected by SES were reviewed. Key missed data (such as buried counterpoises crossing the pipeline) and modeling issues were identified.
Client: | Piedmont Natural Gas |
Completion Date: | August 2019 |
Project Outline:
Detailed third-party review by SES of AC interference mitigation study of a PNG pipeline exposed to a Duke Energy 230 kV transmission line near a proposed new receiver station. Review included collection of additional power system and pipeline data, study of report and examination of computer model inputs and outputs. Approximate modeling by SES demonstrated that mitigation proposed along the PNG pipeline was in all likelihood unnecessary, increased pipeline potentials further away from the receiver station and did not address a potential hazard introduced by a transmission line counterpoise crossing that nobody had noticed.
Client: | Geronimo Energy |
Completion Date: | May 2019 |
Project Outline:
Computer modeling of induced voltages in twisted wire pair telephone cables by wind turbine harmonics in underground collector cables with ground cable. Worst case combination of positive and negative sequence components of harmonic noise from the first 50 harmonics was considered and translated into the expected noise metallic on three telephone circuit branches, applying a C-message filter and typical telephone circuit balance. The interference levels were also expressed in terms of Ground Return I*T. The report included attachments designed to make it easier for power engineers to understand the terminology, calculations and measurements used by telephone companies to assess noise levels.
Client: | ECSL |
Completion Date: | May 2019 |
Project Outline:
Preliminary AC induction mitigation study between planned double-circuit 138 kV/69 kV transmission line with distribution underbuild and two railways, during fault and load conditions, including parametric analysis of interference levels versus load unbalance in transmission and distribution circuits, ballast resistance, locations of railroad insulated joints, installation of buried counterpoise mitigation, installation of a second distribution neutral, and extension of the distribution neutral along the transmission line beyond end of distribution underbuild. Need for most mitigation was found to be predicated upon load unbalance levels and integrity of one set of railroad insulated joints.
Client: | Trans Mountain Corporation |
Completion Date: | April 2019 |
Project Outline:
Third-party review by SES of studies by two consultants, each working for a different stakeholder, in order to reconcile major differences in recommendations between the two, with respect to the mitigation required to address the impact of the Sheridan 69 kV Substation upon nearby Trans Mountain pipelines during fault conditions. Work entailed study of the computer models used by both consultants, collection of additional data, and more detailed modeling of the transmission system, including substation transformers, for a wide range of modeling scenarios. SES identified the key differences in modeling assumptions made by the two consultants. The detailed modeling by SES found dramatically lower pipeline coating stress voltages than predicted by both consultants (by factors of roughly two and three, respectively) for all scenarios modeled and no need for the mitigation recommended by one of the two.
Client: | Trans Mountain Canada Inc. |
Completion Date: | March 2019 |
Project Outline:
Review of BC Hydro calculations of direct arcing risk to Trans Mountain pipeline from BC Hydro transmission lines and application thereof to further commentary on methodology used by a third party consultant to develop proposed mitigation on 69 kV wood poles. Found that premise of third party’s evaluation of direct arcing risk was flawed and certainly not carried out based on BC Hydro’s methodology. In review, SES provided detailed recommendations on more suitable protection of the pipeline from direct arcing from 69 kV wood poles.
Client: | Public Service Electric & Gas Company (PSE&G) |
Completion Date: | March 2019 |
Project Outline:
PSE&G Aldene – Warinanco - Linden (AWL) project plans to rebuild the existing aging five (5) miles 230 kV transmission infrastructure on the existing railroad ROW to accommodate higher thermal load requirements. Along the ROW, there is an existing high pressure gas pipeline with the separations less than 10 feet from the existing transmission structures in approximately 27 locations; there are also paralleling rail road tracks and several encroachments identified, including structures such as pools, garages, homes, and perimeter fences, buildings, etc. The proposed work has raised concerns associated with electrical interference, grounding effects, and personnel safety on the ROW. SES & technologies ltd. (SES) was asked by PSE&G to assist and support PSE&G engineers in carrying out the study at SES Offices, followed by remote project-specific support, then to provide an expert review on the report.
Client: | Trans Mountain Canada Inc. |
Completion Date: | February 2019 |
Project Outline:
Further study of the corridor shared by an existing Trans Mountain Canada pipeline and proposed ATCO 69 kV transmission line, in order to provide construction tolerances for areas where transmission line poles are to be installed in close proximity to the pipeline.
Client: | Piedmont Natural Gas |
Completion Date: | January 2019 |
Project Outline:
Third-party review by SES of AC interference mitigation study, submitted by others to PNG, for a proposed PNG pipeline exposed to a Duke Energy 230 kV transmission line, over a distance of roughly 4.5 miles. Detailed critique with recommendation to correct study, following collection of extensive additional data from major stakeholders, review of the report and of the computer models.
Client: | Trans Mountain Canada Inc. |
Completion Date: | September 2018 |
Project Outline:
Further to an initial review by SES of studies carried out by two consultants initially retained by the two primary project stakeholders, design of alternative mitigation to address concerns of the two primary project stakeholders related to direct arcing, supported by the modeling of lightning strikes to the 69 kV transmission line under study.
Client: | Duke Energy |
Completion Date: | September 2018 |
Project Outline:
Detailed review by SES of AC interference mitigation study carried out by third party of exposure of Williams’ 24” Cardinal Lateral to Duke Energy 230 kV and 500 kV transmission lines over a distance of roughly 22 miles. The report, associated computer models and extensive new data were reviewed and considerable corrective action recommended by SES, resulting in a dramatic reduction in the required extent of pipeline mitigation and significant cost savings.
Client: | Duke Energy |
Completion Date: | June 2018 |
Project Outline:
Third-party review by SES of AC interference study of 12” high pressure natural gas pipeline connection to combined cycle plant supplying power to a network of 115 kV and 230 kV transmission lines. SES found transferred potentials from the plant to the pipeline during fault conditions had been overlooked.
Client: | Kinder Morgan Canada Inc. |
Completion Date: | January 2018 |
Project Outline:
Third-party review by SES of AC mitigation study of portions of the proposed Trans Mountain running in close proximity to BC Hydro transmission lines. In particular, SES was asked for an opinion on the expensive recommendation by the study under review to ground 69 kV wood pole lines, some located as far as 23 m from the pipeline, with ground rods placed 5 m away from the pipeline. A detailed report was submitted, calling into question the very premise of grounding the wood poles as a preventive measure against direct arcing.
Client: | Kinder Morgan Canada Inc. |
Completion Date: | November 2017 |
Project Outline:
Review of two AC interference mitigation design studies, for 69 kV wood pole transmission line to be installed in very close proximity to an oil transmission pipeline, in order to reconcile certain differing results, conclusions and recommendations of the two studies. Of particular concern was the risk assessment of and proposed mitigation to address sustained direct arcing from pole grounds during fault conditions initiated by lightning. Sources of differences were identified and recommendations with respect to mitigation made.
Client: | Canadian National Railway Company |
Completion Date: | September 2017 |
Project Outline:
Study of impact of 315 kV and 120 kV lines on railway system along particularly narrow 18 km long joint-use corridor on the Island of Montreal. Study included modeling of five (5) 315 kV substations along the corridor, surrounding urban infrastructure, track-connected lightning arrestors and bungalow grounds. Load and fault conditions were modeled, considering contingencies. The effectiveness of non-invasive mitigation strategies was examined.
Client: | Confidential Client |
Completion Date: | August 2017 |
Project Outline:
Extensive testing for stray voltages at dairy farm, examining, independently, contributions from distribution system and contributions from farm loads. Demonstrated that voltages appearing at worst cow contact locations were only a small fraction of the distribution feeder GPR, with primary and secondary neutrals connected together.
Client: | Duke Energy Florida |
Completion Date: | March 2016 |
Project Outline:
Study of electromagnetic interference in adjacent gas pipeline and railway from planned 230 kV / 69 kV network expansion in Eustis, Florida. Load and fault conditions were studied and interference levels compared for present, near-future and far-future conditions. Furthermore, interference levels along the pipeline and railway were compared for 4 different proposed 69 kV line configuration options.
Client: | Confidential Client |
Completion Date: | November 2016 |
Project Outline:
EMI study involving 6-mile exposure of 8-inch pipeline to parallel 138 kV and 345 kV transmission lines, running in close proximity to a 345 kV substation. Arcing concerns investigated, validation of computer model EMI predictions with field data, recommendations with respect to future mitigation of AC interference.
Client: | Duke Energy Florida |
Completion Date: | December 2016 |
Project Outline:
Peer review of AC interference mitigation design study related to the Sabal Trail Pipeline: multiple 69 kV, 115 kV, 230 kV and 500 kV transmission lines associated with on the order of 80 substations, exposing much of the 233-mile main pipeline, its 2 laterals, and 3 compressor stations to AC interference during load and fault conditions.
Client: | Duke Energy |
Completion Date: | Sunday, March 20, 2016 |
Project Outline:
AC interference mitigation design study for 12" directionally drilled high pressure natural gas pipeline installed parallel to 115 kV and 230 kV underground circuits, over distance of roughly 3 miles, in very low resistivity soil. AC corrosion concerns dominated this design effort, which applied novel mitigation design techniques to achieve acceptable current density levels in a brackish water environment. Power plant at one of the joint-use corridor, 230 kV / 115 kV substation at the other, and surrounding transmission system and urban infrastructure were also modeled.
Client: | American Electric Power |
Completion Date: | Friday, November 28, 2014 |
Project Outline:
AC interference mitigation design study for 138 kV dual-circuit overhead transmission line running parallel to 24" high pressure natural gas pipeline for a distance of 3 miles.
Client: | Duke Energy |
Completion Date: | Monday, February 10, 2014 |
Project Outline:
AC interference mitigation design study for 90-mile double-circuit 345 kV transmission line running parallel to 16" natural gas pipeline over distance of roughly 6.3 miles, in very low resistivity soil, crossing it at 3 locations. A total of 7 pipelines with exposure to the transmission line were studied, along with another 345 kV line and a 138 kV line. Severe AC corrosion concerns dominated this design effort. Optimization of the mitigation, compared with an alternative design initially submitted by others, resulted in cost savings estimated to be on the order of 10% of the entire transmission line construction cost.
Client: | CoSyn Technology |
Completion Date: | July 23, 2013 |
Project Outline:
Study of induced voltages in 42” FFT aboveground pipeline in oil sands mine, due to adjacent 72 kV circuits. Found capacitive coupling to be the dominant mechanism during load conditions. Minimal mitigation found to eliminate potential nuisance shocks.
Client: | Electric Transmission Texas |
Completion Date: | May 23, 2013 |
Project Outline:
Feasibility study illustrating the great impact on mitigation requirements of accounting for through-earth coupling from gradient control wires when assessing ac leakage currents from coated pipes due to magnetic field induction from nearby double-circuit 345 kV transmission line.
Client: | Stone & Webster (for Entergy Louisiana) |
Completion Date: | December 11, 2012 |
Project Outline:
Determination of ac leakage current density, potential rise and temperature rise of underground circulating water pipes exposed to induction from adjacent 230 kV transmission line at Entergy’s Ninemile Power Plant. Required detailed modeling of prestressed concrete cylinder pipes.
Client: | Burns & McDonnell (for Central Maine Power) |
Completion Date: | May 31, 2013 (Phase III), June 27, 2012 (Phase II & Phase III), August 19, 2011 (Phase I) |
Project Outline:
This is an analysis of the impact of (Phase I) and design of mitigation for (Phase II) a 247-mile 345 kV transmission line system and nearby 115 kV transmission lines on parallel pipelines (on the order of 125 miles) and railways (on the order of 10 short parallel sections or crossings). The impact of the new 345 kV lines on lower voltage transmission lines (115 kV and 37 kV), when de‑energized, is also being examined. This very large project has required custom automation of the CDEGS software package. Furthermore, it has required the development of a methodology to correct soil resistivity measurements for distortion introduced by bare metallic structures buried along the joint-use corridor.
Client: | BP/Aker Solutions |
Completion Date: | May 2012 |
Project Outline:
Evaluation of induced voltages and currents between power cables and other types of cabling associated with a floating production and offloading vessel.
Client: | NorthEast Utilities Service Company |
Completion Date: | March 2012 (Phase II-III Update) |
Project Outline:
Impact analysis and mitigation, as required, for 5 natural gas pipelines and 4 railways following or intersecting a planned 35-mile 345 kV transmission line and several 115 kV lines, to be built as part of the New England East-West Solution (NEEWS).
Client: | National Grid |
Completion Date: | June 2011 |
Project Outline:
In the spring of 2008, MBCR, the agency operating the commuter rail for the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (“MBTA”), notified National Grid of problems it was experiencing with its control and signal circuitry in the vicinity of Massachusetts Electric Company’s Ward Hill Substation. MBCR/MBTA believed these problems were associated with the close proximity of the 23 kV circuits running alongside two sets of tracks abutting on the substation property. MBCR/MBTA personnel reported various equipment failures that allegedly have resulted in operational delays for commuter trains. The main purpose of the study is to determine the magnitude of the electromagnetic interference (EMI) levels caused by the local electric distribution circuits on the railway system, based on detailed realistic computer models, during worst case steady state (load) conditions and phase-to-ground fault conditions and, if needed, determine mitigation measures that would be the most effective in reducing any excessive induced voltages and currents to acceptable levels.
Client: | Xcel Energy/Excel Engineering, Inc. |
Completion Date: | November 5, 2010 |
Project Outline:
Interference mitigation study involving proposed 27-mile 115 kV transmission line and parallel telephone cables. Study included comparing computer model predictions and measured induced voltages associated with 34.5 kV collector lines from wind farms, running parallel to telephone cables. Excellent agreement was obtained. Effective mitigation for influence of 115 kV line was designed. Further testing after construction of the 115 kV line validated the predictions of the impact of the 115 kV line.
Client: | Norfolk Southern Railway |
Completion Date: | October 1, 2010 |
Project Outline:
Study of AC interference between proposed 138 kV transmission line and two sections of track belonging to Norfolk Southern Railway Company, for a total of approximately 7 miles of joint-use corridor. Existing 345 kV and 138 kV transmission lines and four substations located near the railway must also be considered, for both load and fault conditions, with multiple failure contingencies and possible train locations.
Client: | NorthEast Utilities Service Company |
Completion Date: | August 2008 |
Project Outline:
This project involved the computer modeling of approximately 30.4 miles of new and reconstructed 345 kV and 115 kV lines, for the most part sited within existing transmission corridors or public roadways. The new 345 kV transmission line runs roughly parallel to existing railroad tracks. The objective of the study was to design any required corrective measures due to power frequency transferred voltage and current levels during fault and load conditions that could potentially interfere with the railroad signaling, communications, and grade crossing equipment, or represent a direct electrical safety concern. As part of this study, several efficient, economical and non-intrusive mitigation techniques were identified that significantly reduce interference levels caused by high voltage transmission lines.
Client: | Spectra Energy |
Completion Date: | January 2008 |
Project Outline:
Verification of as-built mitigation for M&N Pipeline, which runs parallel to the soon to be energized NRI 345 kV line in the State of Maine, U.S.A. Computer modeling and field testing of mitigation. Test procedures were devised to verify the performance of mitigation during both fault and steady state conditions. This involved measurements at approximately 100 sites, including one compressor station, 5 valve sites, approximately 70 test stations, and 30 additional mitigation connection locations.
Client: | NorthEast Utilities Service Company & The United Illuminating Company |
Completion Date: | December 2007 |
Project Outline:
This electromagnetic interference study involved new 345 kV transmission lines running a total length of 69 miles, including an underground cable section of about 23 miles. Of concern was exposure of a railroad, for a total length of about 13 miles, and three gas pipelines, for a total length of 8 miles. It was demonstrated that no mitigation was required along the exposure to the underground cable, nor were interference levels excessive during peak load conditions along the overhead line. Cost-effective, non-intrusive mitigation was designed to address fault conditions on the overhead line.
Client: | Xcel Energy |
Completion Date: | October 2007 |
Project Outline:
Interference mitigation study involving proposed 27-mile 115 kV transmission line and parallel telephone cables. Study included comparing computer model predictions and measured induced voltages associated with 34.5 kV collector lines from wind farms, running parallel to telephone cables. Excellent agreement was obtained. Effective mitigation for influence of 115 kV line was designed.
Client: | American Transmission Company |
Completion Date: | September 2007 |
Project Outline:
Study of mitigation methods to reduce neutral-to-earth voltages induced in 34.5 kV distribution underbuild (length of 3400 ft) and 12 kV buried distribution cable (parallel length of 3.4 miles), along 345 kV/138 kV transmission line.
Client: | American Transmission Company |
Completion Date: | June 2007 |
Project Outline:
This and the two following studies were undertaken in order to investigate methods to reduce undesirable voltages that could be induced in distribution neutral conductors by parallel transmission lines. The Jefferson project involved a planned 16-mile 138 kV transmission line, with distribution circuits running parallel to it for a total distance of approximately 6.5 miles. An extensive parametric analysis was carried out in order to investigate the effects of shield wire interruptions, continuous counterpoise, separation distance between circuits, phasing, phase unbalance, ground resistances, use of buried distribution feeder versus underbuild, changes in distribution neutral size, transmission line cross-sectional configuration, installation of a supplementary underbuild shield wire and bonding of a buried cable’s concentric neutral to the transmission line shield wire.
Client: | American Transmission Company |
Completion Date: | June 2007 |
Project Outline:
A 1-mile underbuilt section of a distribution feeder neutral was instrumented and approximately voltages and currents measured for 52 different energization and connection configurations, such as the following: with the transmission line energized and de-energized; with the overhead distribution feeder in service and with it replaced by a buried feeder; with the customer neutrals isolated and connected to the primary neutral; with the feeder neutral isolated and connected to the remainder of the distribution system; with the neutral connected to the static wire by means of a temporary jumper at each end of the feeder and without the jumper; with the transmission shield wire interrupted at each end of the feeder and continuous. Good agreement was obtained between the computer model and the field data.
Client: | American Transmission Company |
Completion Date: | April 2007 |
Project Outline:
A 138 kV transmission line was energized with both zero and positive sequence 65 Hz currents and computer model predictions of induced neutral current and neutral-to-earth voltage were compared with those measured with a dynamic signal analyzer. Given the urban environment and unknown customer grounding, computer model predictions matched measured data quite well. New methods of measuring steel pole ground resistances were also tested.
Client: | Northeast Utilities Service Company |
Completion Date: | April 2007 |
Project Outline:
This AC interference mitigation study involved an 8.8-mile, double-circuit, 115 kV, buried, solid dielectric cable line running parallel to an electrified railroad, gas pipelines, and water pipes. SES’s mandate was to investigate the electromagnetic interference caused by the proposed 115-kV underground cables during load and fault conditions and to design appropriate corrective measures. By building a comprehensive electromagnetic interference model, including the mitigative influence of metallic infrastructure in the surrounding suburban area, SES demonstrated that minimal corrective measures were required.