Power Systems Analysis

Our power system engineering team provide a wide range of power systems analysis including computer modelling and simulation of both steady state systems and transient phenomena. We offer the conventional studies such as load flow and short circuit analysis, motor starting studies, harmonic and flicker analysis, protection design and coordination, arc flash assessment, cable ampacity and sizing, and distribution reliability.

We also offer dynamic and transient switching studies such as lightning overvoltage (LOV) and switching overvoltage (SOV) studies, insulation co-ordination studies, line/transformer/reactor/capacitor bank energisation/inrush studies, transient recovery voltage studies, as well as control interaction studies.

QGE utilises several different power system computer modelling and analysis tools to undertake the various studies, including:

• DIgSILENT PowerFactory
• Siemens PSS/E
• PSCAD
• SKM Power*Tools for Windows (PTW)
• ETAP
• Groundmat
• CablePro

Our team will complete the necessary technical studies to ensure your power system design is safe, secure, reliable and compliant.

Grid Connection Modelling & Management

If you’re looking to connect a load or a generator to the grid, QGE should be your partner of choice. Our team can assist with the entire connection application process and will work with the relevant Network Service Provider (NSP) and the Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO) to simplify your connection journey.

QGE can assist with your preliminary and detailed connection enquiries, work proactively and cooperatively with all stakeholders to develop the grid connection modelling package (including the Generator Performance Standards (GPS), R1 package models in PSCAD and PSS/E and prepare the associated documents (such as RUGs & DMAT etc.). QGE has developed internal systems to streamline the connection modelling process. This ensures that the NSP/AEMO due diligence process is efficient, reducing rework and saving time and money.

Our team is well versed in the National Electricity Rules (NER). We regularly provide guidance to proponents wishing to connect plant subject to Chapter 5 or 5A of the rules. Our experience and pragmatic approach to addressing the technical requirements set out in Schedule 5 of the NER is where we really shine.

Our team can also provide the complete electrical, control system, and communications design for your connection to the NEM, whether it be the main substation or switchyard, high voltage transmission or distribution system, or the generation plant itself.

Once construction is complete, QGE can manage the testing and commissioning activities associated with the GPS R2 model validation in line with AEMO’s "GPS Compliance Assessment and R2 Model Validation Test Plan Template".

Conventional Generation & Power Station Design

QGE can assist in the design, expansion, augmentation or hybridisation of conventional diesel, gas, Heavy Fuel Oil (HFO), biofuel, steam and other generation plants including associated balance of plant systems.

Our teams can provide the following services:

• Performance based system sizing taking into account the geographic and site specific criteria and risks, the system technical requirements, the construction, operation & maintenance costs, revenue streams and more.
• Assessment and optimisation of techno-economic aspects of the generation plant using the Homer software simulation suite for business case development
• Front-End-Engineering & Design (FEED)
• Equipment selection, evaluation and procurement management
• Detailed design, site integration and equipment package management
• Control system and safety system upgrades or replacements
• Owners Engineering team for EPC style contracts

We specialise in the integration of renewable generation sources such as solar PV and BESS systems into existing conventional power generation systems. Our major clients in this area include large mines, remote communities, and existing grid connected generators.

Renewables & Energy Storage Integration

The National Electricity Market (NEM) is undergoing rapid change as we transition to a renewable energy future. Large scale Solar PV, Wind, Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS), and hydro among others are being constructed at significant levels around Australia.

Our capabilities include the design of renewable energy facilities from concept level layouts (solar farms/BESS etc.) right through to detailed design of the DC and AC systems, inverter station selection, tracking systems, MET stations, HV collector design and the entire substation design.

We have proven experience in the design and commissioning of both large-scale grid connected and islanded Solar PV farms and BESS, and have worked with equipment from all of the major suppliers including SMA, Power Electronics, Ingeteam, Siemens Gamesa, Sungrow, Tesla, GE Vernova and more.

Our team can provide end-to end engineering design and management for your renewables project.

High Voltage Substation Design

Whether it’s a packaged kiosk substation, a full zone substation or a major bulk supply point substation, our team of highly experienced power system engineers can guide you through the requirements and process of designing and delivering such an important asset.

We offer safe, compliant, reliable and cost-effective substation solutions covering all aspects of primary and secondary systems design, including but not limited to substation layout design, technical studies, switchgear and related equipment specification, power transformer specification, electrical/control building design, protection system design, Battery Chargers and station auxiliary supply, control & automation and telecommunications.

We can assist with the specification and procurement of major primary AIS, GIS and hybrid switchgear (dead tank and live tank), disconnectors and earth switches, current transformers, voltage transformers, surge arresters and more.

Our clients include electrical utilities, renewable energy developers and industrial and mining companies, and we are familiar with the major equipment suppliers such as GE, Siemens, ABB, Hitachi, Insulect and others.

Protection Systems Design & Configuration

At QGE we specialise in protection system specification and design. We have extensive experience in commercial and industrial protection systems right through to transmission, substation, distribution network and even power station protection systems.

Our engineers can assist in preparing the protection philosophy for your project or site, determining the correct functions to monitor and protect your system from frequency, voltage, current and impedance excursions, and selecting the best devices for the job.

Our team can complete the protection co-ordination, prepare the protection relay settings, configure the protection relays (including communications configuration such as IEC61850 (MMS & GOOSE Protocols)) and prepare full substation files.

We also have the expertise to test and commission the protection systems and can even incorporate complete functional testing of the substation control system.

Substation Automation Systems Design (Control, SCADA, & Communications)

At QGE, automation system design, development and testing is a core part of our business. Whether its process control, high speed robotics, or substation automation systems, our teams can provide you with a robust design that is safe, efficient and compliant. We can support with hardware and software procurement, program and configure logic devices, network equipment and protection and metering, and then undertake fully integrated end-to-end testing of the system.

Our substation automation system design includes full SCADA /HMI design for remote monitoring and control. Our team can develop your entire substation control system, utilising the latest RTU/RTAC/PAC controllers to interface with station switchgear, protection relays, metering, transformers (incl. tap changers), backup generation, STATCOMs, SVCs, Filters, HVAC, fire systems and many other substation secondary systems.

We are also highly experienced in communications network design and configuration and can develop highly secure systems for interface with NSP/AEMO systems. Our engineers understand the intricacies in substation communication protocols including IEC61850 (MMS & GOOSE), IEC60870, Mirrorbit, as well as conventional DNP3, Modbus, Ethernet and others. QGE can assist in defining your communication architecture requirements, ensuring the correct design for the specified security, redundancy and availability requirements (i.e. self healing ethernet ring, High-availability Seamless Redundancy (HSR) or Parallel Redundancy Protocol (PRP) etc.)

Our experience extends to the configuration of your substation GPS clock(s). Our engineers can configure your substation clock to distribute precise time via multiple output protocols, including IRIG-B and Network Time Protocol (NTP) or setup a Precision Time Protocol (PTP) grandmaster clock, as defined by IEEE 1588-2008, to synchronise all your substation network devices.

Our team is proficient with numerous equipment platforms including SEL, CGI, Siemens, ABB, Schneider Ecostruxure/Micom, Hitachi, Honeywell, and more.

Overhead Line & Underground Cable Design

The QGE Power Systems Team can provide detailed design for your overhead line or underground cable, whether it’s for a new line, an extension, or augmentation to an existing feeder.

Our engineers have a detailed understanding of the key standards, including AS/NZS 7000, AS 2067, IEEE Std. 738, IEC 60287, and IEC 60949, and knowledge of the fundamental principles of power line and underground cable design. We can provide the following services:

• Transmission line modelling, engineering analysis and design, including:
  • Line route and profile layout
  • Structure modelling
  • Sag-tension, swing, clearances, loading calculations
  • Pole/tower and line/cable schedules
  • Stringing tables
  • Assembly details
• Foundation design and assessment
  • Soil Investigations
  • Construction material selection
  • Foundation Assessment
  • Foundation earthing design
• Undergound cable modelling, engineering analysis and design, including:
  • Cable Ampacity calculation based on IEC 60287 or Neher-McGrath method
  • Evaluation of maximum allowable current for cables based on cable material, laying arrangement and environmental data including presence of external heat sources
  • Cable layout modelling capabilities, supporting all laying arrangements of single and multi-core cables

Our engineers utilise the very latest industry leading software including PLS-CADD, PLS-POLE, TOWER, CATAN and Poles ‘n’ Wires, PowerFactory Cable Ampacity, ELEK Cable High Voltage, and more.

Earthing & Lightning Protection System Design

An earthing system is essential part of every power system and getting it wrong can have devastating consequences. Our engineers are well recognised in industry for providing safe, innovative and cost-effective earthing designs for industrial facilities as well as for high voltage infrastructure assets such as substations and switchyards.

Our team specialises in:

• Detailed Earthing & Lightning Design
• EPR/LFI Hazzard Assessment
• Onsite Audit & Assessment
• Field Compliance Testing

We utilise industry leading software such as CDEGS to undertake several technical studies and provide compliant designs. The analysis that QGE can undertake includes:

• Soil Resistivity Analysis
• Low Frequency Earthing Analysis
• Frequency Domain Earthing Analysis
• Fault Current Distribution Analysis
• Electromagnetic Interference Analysis
• Electromagnetic Fields Analysis

This analysis translates into highly accurate earthing and lightning protection systems design that will satisfy the specific utility/client requirements as well as comply with Australian and International technical standards and regulations including: AS2067, AS3000, AS7000, AS3007, AS4853, AS3835, ENA EG1, ENA EG0, IEEE 80 and IEEE 81.

Testing & Commissioning

Our team of power systems engineers can assist with the testing and commissioning of our client’s high voltage installations, offering a fully integrated end-to-end service from feasibility right through to operational support.

We have extensive experience in the commissioning of industrial and mining facilities, solar PV & BESS installations, and power generation including substation automation systems, protection system testing, integrated equipment testing and commissioning and more.