Bryn Blaen Wind Farm

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Project Facts and Figures

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Bryn Blaen Wind Farm scope of work and major design considerations:

This site for wind turbines on the land north of the village of LLangurid in Powys was carefully considered. A number of factors needed to be justified in the development of the initial proposal, these included; low population density, wildlife and its use of the area, including the breeding territories of birds, and foraging paths of bats, accessibility of the site, local, regional and national planning policy as well as wind speeds.

Approximately 7 km of new tracks were required to access the turbine locations. The tracks needed to be a minimum of 5 m wide, considering junctions, bends and passing places and at turbine base locations where wider working areas were required. Local materials were imported from nearby quarries for this construction. 

The major items of electrical plant that Powersystems designed, supplied, installed, and commissioned were:

• Design of a new 66 kV substation/compound for the client and DNO to connect to the local 66 kV network
• Design of new 66/33 kV substation/compound and onsite electrical distribution
• Supply and install 66 kV equipment for the compounds, inc. circuit breakers, dis connectors, etc.
• Design, supply and install a 66/33 kV 20 MVA Transformer
• Supply and install of a 2 panel 33 kV switchboard
• Design and build transformer protection panels
• 66 and 33 kV cabling and terminations
• All necessary building fit-out works comprising lighting and small power with intruder and fire alarm systems
• Install low voltage, control, signal and communications cabling works
• Full installation test and commissioning

Bryn Blaen Wind Farm development:

Bryn Blaen wind farm site is located just off the A470 near LLangurig in Powys, mid-Wales with the point of connection substation being located near to Rhayader. The site and substations were constructed in partnership with Jones Bros Civil Engineering on behalf of the client, Njord Wind Energy.

Local resource was used where possible. The employment of a local resident for the role of Powersystems Site manager and a local haulage company was used to assist with the cable installation works.

Bryn Blaen Wind Farm is one of a number of wind farms that have been developed in Wales over the last few years, helping to introduce clean, renewable energy, utilising the countries natural resources which is helping to combat climate change and secure our energy requirements within the UK.

Bryn Blaen Wind Farm connects onto the Western Power Distribution’s (WPD) 66 kV electricity network via a radial, which in turn supplies a ring circuit that feeds Brecon, Builth Wells, Glasbury and Llandrindod wells.

Powersystems engineers have the much-needed experience of working with every Distribution Network Operator across the UK on ICP projects, helping customers connect this type of project up and exporting to the grid at both 11 kV, 33 kV, 66 kV and 132 kV.

Bryn Blaen Wind Farm turbine substation:

Bryn Blaen Wind Farm turbine substation and compound was built on the wind farm to feed the turbines. The substation building includes; a HV switch room, scada room, meter room, store room and a bathroom. The HV Switch room has a 33 kV 2-panel switchboard consisting of an incomer and a wind farm feeder circuit breaker. The substation compound consists of a busbar system, 66 kV disconnectors, 66 kV circuit breaker and a 20 MVA 66/33 kV Transformer. The compound also includes a 33 kV earthing auxiliary transformer, neutral earthing resistor, 4.4 MVAr reactor, 4.4 MVA harmonic filter and a 33 kV filter resistor. The substation building has a permanent LV supply from the auxiliary transformer located in the substation compound.

Bryn Blaen Wind Farm generation substation:

Bryn Blaen Wind Farm generation substation and compound was built next to an existing substation (Bryn Titli) in order to allow WPD to connect to the local 66 kV network. The substation building includes a client switch room, WPD switch room and a meter room. The substation consists of a WPD compound and a wind farm feeder compound. The WPD compound consists of a 66 kV busbar system, 2 No 66 kV disconnectors, 66 kV VT’s and a 66 kV circuit breaker. The wind farm feeder (client) substation compound consists of a 66 kV busbar system, 2 No 66 kV disconnectors, 66 kV VT’s, 66 kV 5.5 MVAr Reactor, a 66 kV cable frame and a 66 kV circuit breaker.

A GRP has been installed between the Bryn Blaen Wind Farm generation substation and the existing Bryn Titli substation from where the LV 230 V mains will supplied and LV metering installed. The new substation building has a permanent LV supply from a separate mains grid connection but there is also the option as a back-up supply from a 100 KVA 66 kV/400V auxiliary transformer located inside the 5.5 MVAr reactor. The reactor is located in the substation (client) compound and will automatically transfer the LV supply in case of a mains failure via an auto change-over panel.

The earth mats for the Bryn Blaen Wind Farm generation substation and the existing Bryn Titli substation have been connected together due to the close proximity of the substations as advised from an earthing study. The Bryn Blaen Wind Farm generation substation and the Bryn Blaen Wind Farm turbine substation are connected by 13 km of 66 kV cable and a fibre optic cable.

Bryn Blaen Wind Farm project timings:

• Phase 1 Started: September 2017 – Consisted of building the wind farm, turbine substation and 13km 66kV grid connection cable installation. Phase 1 completion was January 2018
• Phase 2 Started: September 2018 – Consisted of building the WPD substation at the point of connection -Phase 2 completion was May 2019
• Phase 2 Energisation: November 2019 – The 6 No Enercon 2.35 MW wind turbines began exporting power to the grid in November 2019. As a trusted NERS accredited company with over 45 years’ experience, Powersystems were appointed to assume the responsibility for the Electrical Balance of Plant for the wind farm, including an onsite substation for the wind farm and a substation at the point of connection for the DNO Western Power Distribution

What the client wanted:

Powersystems carried out the principlal contractor role on phase 2 of the project at the request of the client. Powersystems were utilised as the conduit between the client and WPD in gaining design approval for the substation, connection works and receiving WPD sign off for the build.

How Powersystems have helped:

Powersystems engineers were involved with the:-

Design works

• The introduction of reactors and harmonic filters were utilised from a design in order to comply with WPD connection agreement and the Interface with Western Power Distribution

Installation works

• Installing 13 km of 66 kV cable with joint terminations every 500 m alongside the A470 and through and existing wind farm had its challenges. As well as the switchgear and transformer installation and commissioning

Commissioning works

• Commissioning the wind farm to comply with the new G99 regulations required skilled and knowledgeable commissioning engineers

Energisation works

• Powesystems proposed an energisation sequence that would be accepted by WPD

The results:

The wind farm was designed to generate and export renewable electricity to the local area, with the capacity to generate enough energy to meet the demands for around 8,400 homes every year.

In Conclusion:

Bryn Blaen Wind Farm was energised in November 2019.

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