Power System Studies for Solar + Storage Projects | Commercial & Utility Scale 

200 MW Utility Scale Project
Pure Power Engineering will perform all power system studies for post interconnection applications including load flow, reactive power, short circuit, cable ampacity, arc flash, grounding, lightning risk assessment, and equipment evaluation. 

Load Flow Studies

Pure Power will analyze the part of the solar + storage system that specializes in maximum steady state AC current or AC power. This analysis will show how the system is stressed in a normal operating condition and is used to verify bus ratings, breaker rating/settings, cable sizing and heating losses. (a separate report version can be performed for DC circuits)

Reactive Power

Reactive Power Study

Similar to load flow, this analysis specializes in maximum steady state AC current or AC power but with an emphasis on the phase relationship between voltage and current. This analysis will show how the system behaves when the power factor is changed due to inverter output changes or how system impedance manipulates reactive power.

Short Circuit

Short Circuit

Pure Power will perform a short circuit analysis of the solar + storage system which is used to determine the available fault current at each device in the electrical system under study. The available fault current at a device is a function of the available fault current from all sources—including the utility, PV inverters, ESS inverters, motors, and so forth—as well as the impedance between those sources and the device.

Cable Ampacity

Cable Ampacity

Pure Power will perform an analysis of underground or above ground AC cable circuits which focuses on the thermal aspect of the design. The information from this study is used to size the cables and design cable arrangements. (a separate report version can be performed for DC circuits)

Arc Flash

Arc Flash

PPE will evaluate the electrical equipment based on the potential incident energy during an electrical fault, as well as the approach distance within which personal protective equipment (PPE) is required. The result of an arc flash study is a series of warning labels that get applied to each piece of electrical equipment in the system. This label defines the arc flash boundary as well as the incident energy at some distance from the equipment. 

Grounding (Ground Grid)

Ground Grid Study

We will perform an analysis of the solar + storage system that specializes in deriving the effectiveness of the grounding system to prevent dangerous overvoltage scenarios during a fault. The information gained from this report is used to size and arrange the underground grounding system. 

Lightning Risk Assessment

PPE will perform an analysis of the solar + storage system and determine the probability that a lightning strike will cause damage. The results of this report can be used to justify the addition of lightning protection equipment for the solar + storage system.

Equipment Evaluation

Purepower on site-08558

Pure Power will perform an analysis of the solar + storage system that compares the short circuit capability of equipment versus the short circuit capability from the utility. The results of this report will validate the capability of the equipment to withstand faults. (a separate report version can be performed for DC circuits)