Power transmission and distribution systems

Foto: Multiconsult

We have a reputation for designing reliable electric power systems, as well as for good project execution and coordination.

For over a century, Multiconsult has been providing consultancy and design services for power stations both in Norway and internationally. In recent years we have expanded our activities to incorporate services aimed at Norwegian and international power grid operators.

Our consultants can provide services to the whole electric power sector, regardless of the kind of installation or voltage level. Multiconsult can also offer local, interdisciplinary design and construction management services tailored to the needs of the electric power industry.

We perform everything from technical studies to complete, interdisciplinary design projects.

Our services include consultancy, design and/or construction management for all voltage levels, ranging from the regional transmission and distribution grid up to the national grid, including grid control systems, and low and high voltage auxiliary systems and complete earthing systems. Multiconsult also supplies equivalent services to leading companies in the wind power and photovoltaics/solar energy sectors.

As well as designing good technical solutions, we aim to be a market leader in the efficient execution and management of electric power projects.

We perform power system analyses for transmission and distribution grids as well as for grid connection of power plants. Projects can be assessments of transmission grids, distribution grids and isolated power systems. Our power system analyses include load flow analysis, short circuit analysis, harmonic analysis and dynamic analysis.

Results of the analyses provide the framework for further dimensioning, detail engineering and technical specification of power system components. Software programs PSS/E, Paladin DesignBase and NETBAS are used to perform power system analyses. Multiconsult can build new models or employ the client’s existing models.

We have extensive experience with assessment of connecting wind farms to the power grid. We have assessed the grid connection of five of the six wind parks in Europe’s largest land-based wind power project, Fosen Vind, with a total installed capacity of 1000 MW. In this project, the reactive compensation capacity of the wind parks were evaluated in accordance with the Norwegian SO’s functional requirements (FIKS). The wind farms’ contributions to voltage regulation, in order to control reactive power development in the local grid in summer- and wintertime, were also studied.

Multiconsult has performed power system analyses of the 33 kV grid in Zanzibar. By establishing a model of the grid in PSS/E, we carried out load flow analyses and contingency analyses, and recommended a technical-economic optimal grid development plan extending to the year 2030.