Ballinahulla 220/110kV substation

EirGrid planned the new Ballinahulla substation in parallel with three other transmission substations in the south west region.

Three staff members wearing bright green PPE with the Powercomm logo on their backs standing onsite in Ballycore.

Project information

Client: Eirgrid
Location: Kerry, Ireland
Project name: Ballinahulla 220/110kV substation commissioning
Project tags: Commissioning

Project Description: 

EirGrid planned the new Ballinahulla substation in parallel with three other transmission substations in the south west region. The driver for this substation as detailed in EirGrid’s Grid Strategy is security of supply and replace in the south west of Ireland.
Ballinahulla is a Gas Insulation Substation using ABB GIS switchgear for both the 220kV and 110kV substation. The GIS 220kV station is a 12 bay eight-way dual busbar system including three sectionalisers and two bus couplers on both the 220kV and the 110kV side of the station. It is one of the most recently built 220kV GIS substation in Ireland. There is twelve 220kV GIS Cubicles and twelve 110kV GIS cubicles.


Project Scope: 

Powercomm’s project scope involved commissioning and submitting the declaration of fitness (DOF) for the GIS 220kV and 110kV GIS switchgear and protection schemes. All testing included. • Full protection testing for Distance /differential line protection. This included line impedance verification for Eirgrid, Line phasing and tele protection testing to remote ends. 

Full wing coupler and sectionaliser protection testing. 

Transformer protection testing. This testing includes differential, overcurrent and 220kV and 110kV impedances protection testing for the transformer bays. Full transformer testing and conditional assessment of the transformer was carried out for two no. 220kV /110kV 250MVA ONAF Transformers. Tan-Delta, Ratio, DC Resistance & SCI is some of the transformer tests carried out.

  •  Substation Earth grid Impedance Testing.
  • Substation Earth grid Step and Touch Voltage Testing.
  • 220/110kV VT & CT Commissioning.
  • SF6 Monitoring and lockout functions.
  • Control, Indication & Alarms Verification with National and Local Control.
  • ABB 220/110kV GIS Switchgear Control & Interlocking.
  • Check and control Synchronising for both the 110kV and 220kV network.
  • 220kV and 110kV busbar/CB Fail protection and stability checks.
  • Voltage selection schemes Protection relay testing and commissioning of the following:
  • Siemens 7SA612 220/110kV Line Distance Protection.
  • Toshiba GRL100-702D 220/110kV Line Distance/Differential Protection.
  • Toshiba GRB100 220/110kV Busbar Differential and CBF Protection.
  • Siemens 7SJ612 220/110kV Sectionaliser & Coupler Overcurrent Protection.
  • 220/110kV Busbar Stability Testing
  • Siemens 7SA612 220/110kV Transformer Impedance Protection.
  • End to End Reclosing, Impedance & Differential Testing with Remote Stations. • ABB RET670 220/110kV Transformer Differential & REF Protection.
  • ABB Synchrotach5 Control Synchronising Scheme.
    Toshiba GRZ100 110kV Line Distance Protection.
  • Toshiba GRL100-206B 110kV Line Differential Protection.
  • 250MVA 220/110kV Transformer Stability Testing.


Project Summary:

  •  Completed ahead of schedule.
  • 100% project successful completion
  • Zero onsite incidents
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