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Theoretically optimal location of a distribution substation

Former Community Member
Former Community Member
Hello, 
I have the following problem with the preliminary design stage of a residential area:

The software I use can calculate a theoretically optimal location of a distribution substation for low-voltage networks. This place is calculated as a "center of power demand" or "center of gravity" of electrical consumers.

If the substation locates in this optimal place, we can design 0.4kV distribution feeders with a minimum length and power losses in low-voltage feeders are minimal. 

I understand it’s almost impossible to put it exactly there, and I consider some sites nearby. But the architect believes that this is unacceptable in terms of landscape design and wants to place the substation in a far corner.

Who should be the arbiter in this situation?  DNO representative takes a neutral position.  Local authorities are completely on architect side, they do not care that long power cables will heat the atmosphere for many years to come.

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  • Former Community Member
    0 Former Community Member
    Alex Juhanson:

    But my main topic was regarding the optimal location of the substation. I wanted to understand how important this issue is and how much attention is paid to it in different countries.


    I would like to accumulate arguments (pros and cons) in my dispute with the architect.     Relaxed Thank you all for participating.


     


    Well optimum is always going to be a balance of competing factors - eg, value of the land taken, proximity to HV, length of LV, cost of cable, cost of trenching etc etc - we've probably covered most of them in this thread.


    Obviously, these are all capital costs - the only counterpoint to the CAPEX, is the OPEX of owning those cables (ie I2R) - which is typically a DNO issue as the losses are with them not the consumer.


    Given the load profile of a typical domestic house, the OPEX is very small compared to the CAPEX  - it can be mitigated by cable size and route - but it won't ever be the dominant design factor - location, land value, access, trenching costs etc will all radically outweigh the OPEX figures.


    Regards


    OMS


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  • Former Community Member
    0 Former Community Member
    Alex Juhanson:

    But my main topic was regarding the optimal location of the substation. I wanted to understand how important this issue is and how much attention is paid to it in different countries.


    I would like to accumulate arguments (pros and cons) in my dispute with the architect.     Relaxed Thank you all for participating.


     


    Well optimum is always going to be a balance of competing factors - eg, value of the land taken, proximity to HV, length of LV, cost of cable, cost of trenching etc etc - we've probably covered most of them in this thread.


    Obviously, these are all capital costs - the only counterpoint to the CAPEX, is the OPEX of owning those cables (ie I2R) - which is typically a DNO issue as the losses are with them not the consumer.


    Given the load profile of a typical domestic house, the OPEX is very small compared to the CAPEX  - it can be mitigated by cable size and route - but it won't ever be the dominant design factor - location, land value, access, trenching costs etc will all radically outweigh the OPEX figures.


    Regards


    OMS


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