Electrical Power Systems, Analyses and Concepts

Electrical Power Systems, Analyses & Concepts

From optimal power system design to operational excellence

Ageing assets, decentralized energy generation, smart grids, electrical storage ... Electrical networks are becoming increasingly complex, making it ever so difficult to guarantee their operational reliability, while saving on operation and maintenance. Laborelec advises on the design and operation processes, in order to ensure the maximum performance at the lowest cost.

Including safety and continuity in power network design

Reliable and cost-effective operation starts with an optimal design. Laborelec makes sure safety and continuity are part of the concept:

Preliminary study and detailed design: Our advice includes dimensioning (e.g. filters, cables, new loads), electrical and harmonic load flow simulations, short circuit calculations, etc.
Purchase specifications: We ensure manufacturer-independent advice on materials, best practices, and available techniques.
Implementation: Laborelec audits all the network settings and tunes them to the customer’s specific situation.

Assisting in the handover from network design to operations

Laborelec enables the smooth handover to the operations department by:

Validation measurements: power quality (EN 50160), power, frequency, supply voltage amplitude, flicker, dips/swells, voltage interruptions, (inter)harmonics, etc.
Monitoring of power quality and performance
Validating conformity with applicable standards

Improving operational performance and preventing ageing of electrical networks

Achieving operational excellence and optimizing an electrical network’s lifespan means preventing interruptions in operation, slowing down the ageing process, and increasing energy efficiency. When an incident does occur, a sustainable solution must be found quickly. Laborelec ensures operational excellence through:

Assessments at start-up: We can advise you on compliance with national and international standards (AREI, IEC, RGE, and NF), power quality levels in and out the network (EN 50 160). We also evaluate the protection strategy based on safety and selectivity studies.
Lifetime optimization: Laborelec knows exactly what parameters to monitor. We also have the tools and the accreditations to carry out a broad range of measurements.
Troubleshooting: Laborelec ensures an accurate diagnosis and provides concrete solutions based on measurements, calculations, modelling, and years of experience.

Using our competencies in these domains, we provide operators with an accurate view of the network’s key parameters and help them monitor unexpected loads, currents, and voltages, detect power quality phenomena, and anticipate potential safety risks.

Concrete advice, based on real network data

Our recommendations are ready for implementation, because they are based on expert measurements, modelling, and testing:

Complex measurements and monitoring: voltage, current, and power measurements in low, medium, and high voltage networks. These include waveforms, Root-Mean-Square (RMS) values, harmonics, voltage imbalance between phases, frequency, power (P, Q, S, and D), Cos phi and power factor, flicker, and much more.
Accurate modelling of complex networks: including power electronics, new loads, transients, uninterrupted power supply, and compensation equipment. Our laboratories have a wide range of modelling tools (e.g. Matlab, NEPLAN, Simulink, 3EI.bt).
Protective relay testing: Laborelec investigates the safety of a network, including current, voltage, and decoupling relays, using OMICRON testing devices. We also assist in substation protection according to IEC 61850.