Teaming up for tomorrow’s solutions

Invitation
2012 GIS USERS GROUP
26 - 28 November 2012
Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Hosted by
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Content
4 GIS Users Group Conference - Introduction
4 How to get there
5 Visa Information
5 Registration
6 Agenda Highlights
8 Host and Substation
9 Demo Area
12 Conferences Preview:
12 Future networks developments and characteristics
15 Online partial discharge monitoring
18 Asset management challenges and strategies
21 Enhanced availability during Maintenance, Repair,
Extension (MRE): nice-to-have or really needed?
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2012 GIS Users Group Conference

We are pleased to invite you to the 5th GIS Users Group. After Endesa in Spain, National Grid
in the UK, Axpo in Switzerland and RTE in France, this year’s technical conference will be
hosted by DEWA in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
You will find in the next pages a preview of the 2012 conference topics, agenda and all
necessary practical information to register and organize your travel.
Should you need any further information, please feel free to contact us:
anne-isabelle.feige@alstom.com

How to get there...

The conference will take place at the Meydan Hotel in Dubai:

Meydan Racecourse
Al Meydan Road, Nad Al Sheba
P.O. Box 9305
Dubai, United Arab Emirates
More details on http://www.meydanhotels.com/meydan/special.htm

By plane:
The Dubai International Airport is 15 minutes away. Shuttle bus will be organized on
Monday, November 26 from the airport to the hotel and back to the airport on Wednesday,
November 28.
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Visa Information
If you have a valid passport (valid until May 26th, 2013 at least) from one of the following
countries, you will NOT need to apply for a visa:
GCC nationals / Andorra / Austria / Australia / Brunei / Belgium / Denmark / Finland /
France / Germany / Greece / Iceland / Ireland / Italy / Japan / Liechtenstein / Luxemburg /
Malaysia / Monaco / The Netherlands / New Zealand / Norway / Portugal / San Marino /
Singapore / South Korea / Spain / Sweden / Switzerland / United Kingdom / USA / Vatican
and holders of Hong Kong SAR passport
If you DO NOT have a passport from one of the above countries, YOU WILL NEED to apply
for a visa, at least 30 days before your date of arrival in the UAE. Please send your visa
request to our agency at contact@avance-org.fr, enclosing:
–– A colour scan of your passport (pages with personal information)
–– A colour scan of a passport photo
–– Your flight details (flight number, date of departue/arrival at Dubai)

Dress Code
Business casual

Registration to the Event

Your accommodation will be booked automatically as you register to the conference from
noon on November 26 to noon on November 28.
Note: Expenses (accommodation, meals, special evening…) during the event will be borne by
Alstom Grid. Travel to the Meydan Hotel remains at GIS Users’ expenses. Accommodation
expense will not be covered for participants from Dubai.

Online registration:
www.support.alstom.com/grid/ug/GIS/2012-conference
Contact: myriam.bornerand@alstom.com

We look forward to meeting you at this year’s conference!

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Agenda Highlights

Monday, November 26
12:00 h Buffet lunch and networking

Afternoon
14:00 h Registration and free time in product Demo Area
16:00 h Opening sessions
17:30 h Conference on Future networks developments and characteristics
20:00 h Dinner

Tuesday, November 27
Morning
08:30 h Official address by DEWA MD & CEO
Mr. Saeed Mohammad Al Tayer
09:00 h Conference on Online Partial Discharge Monitoring
11:00 h Guided product demos
12:30 h Lunch

Afternoon
14:00 h DEWA 400/132kV substation visit
20:00 h Social event
Your spouse/companion is welcome to dinner and evening activity.
Please inform us during on-line registration.
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Wednesday, November 28
Morning
08:00 h Conference on Enhanced availability during Maintenance, Repair,
Extension (MRE): nice-to-have or really needed?
10:30 h Conference on Asset management challenges and strategies
12:30 h Lunch

Afternoon
14:00 h Guided product demos
16:00 h Conference closing

If you wish to contribute to one of these conference topics, please contact:

anne-isabelle.feige@alstom.com
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Substation Visit
Dubai Electricity & Water Authority (DEWA), the sole utility of Emirates of Dubai, United
Arab Emirates, has kindly offered to host the event in Dubai in 2012.

We will have the opportunity to visit an important 400/132kV substation, built by Alstom
Grid, which is a crucial node to city’s transmission network.
The technical visit will highlight the features that are incorporated in the substation design
to meet or exceed the stringent regulations, for uninterrupted connectivity to the grid.
DEWA delivers electricity to more than 600,000 consumers across the Emirate of Dubai
and has well defined policies for conditional monitoring and preventive maintenance, which
ensures reliable and quality power for these customers.
The substation equipment including 400kV and 132kV GIS has the required functionalities
that contribute to achieve these objectives.
These and other operational and maintenance practices will be explained and deliberated
during the visit and it will be a good opportunity for the participants, to share with each
other, their experiences as utility and industrial service providers.

400 kV GIS

132 kV GIS
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Demo Area Description

product pole

A real F35 bay equipped with all digital solutions:

• SF6 gas monitoring (BWatch3)
• Circuit breaker and point-on-wave controller (RPH3)
• Partial discharge monitoring (PDWatch)
• Full digital chain (NCIT)

A real 420kV single break circuit breaker pole:

Thanks to the advanced design, our 420kV single break
GIS features competitive advantages:
• Reduced footprint
• Enhanced reliability
• Optimised total cost of ownership

Disconnector with enhanced bus transfer current

capabilities:
Standards are evolving and Alstom brings a technical
solution.

ME4 drive:
• Mock-up of ME4
• Standardisation of Disconnector and Earthing Drives
on Alstom GIS
• Improved User Interface for safe operation
ME4
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Monitoring pole

Partial discharge monitoring real demo (PDWatch):

Display of the components and live simulations:
• The PDWatch acquisition and PDWatch
Manager software tools for investigation and
expertise
• The PDWatch On-Line supervision application
for trend evaluation, archive processing and
remote communication
UHF sensor
• A UHF100 acquisition unit acquiring signals
from UHF internal and external sensors
• Remote access

SF6 and GIS monitoring (BWatch3):

Display of the components and live simulations:
• The BWatch3 local HMI for solution start-up
and maintenance
• The BWatch3 On-Line supervision application
for instant monitoring, trend evaluation,
archive processing and remote communication
• The BWatch3 Manager software tool for asset BWatch3 system HMI
planning purpose
• A BWatch3 acquisition and process unit
acquiring data from GIS SF6 digital transmitters
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availability pole

Maintenance Isolating Device (MID):

The MID is a device which enhances the availability during Maintenance, Repair and
Extension (MRE) phases. Display of a B105 single-phase double bus-bar assembly with
MID:
• To show disconnectors, earthing switches and contacts
• To describe the combined disconnector and earthing switch
• To explain MID operation
• To illustrate MID features

Double busbar assembly with MID

Maintenance-Repair-Extension (MRE) safety rules

Display of bus enclosures, conductors and insulators assembly:
• To explain the MRE safety rules
• To show what is a shield insulator
• To show that sliding conductors transmit negligible stresses

Bus assembly
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Conference 1
Future Networks Developments
and Characteristics

target
The purpose of this session is to share between the Participants of the 2012 GIS Users
Group Conference the various reasons leading to the introduction of HV switchgear of
higher technical performance in their Power Systems, or their on-going consideration of
such action. Such decisions – or intentions – may result ultimately in requirement up-rating
the values applied, in accordance with the ruling standards or, in some instances, derived
from them.
Also deemed of utmost interest are the processes undertaken in these Organisations, and
how synergies could be developed with the suppliers of Gas-Insulated Substations and their
in-house Power Systems expertise, so as to optimise the characteristics of the equipment in
order to meet the future demands of the network.

conference description
Introduction
High Voltage Gas-Insulated Substations (GIS) have demonstrated their outstanding
performance for almost 50 years. More and more Gas-Insulated Substations are in use,
mainly in highly populated area, fast growing industrial zones, coastal sites with specific
environmental and operational requirements, and in areas of high strategic importance.

Fast changing characteristics of the Power Systems

The motives for upgrading, uprating and extension are based on the growing need for
energy supply and the needs of network extension to satisfy updated requirements. It has
been observed in some instances that the utility decision to prescribe higher performance
parameters for their assets may come to pass faster than foreseen.
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Such a situation may arise from an ‘earlier-than-forecasted’ increase in demand, or from the
introduction of a massive bulk power generation plan, or, in some instances, from a local
infeed of a bulk renewable energy (e.g. connection to the Grid of off-shore wind farms, DC
submarine interconnection, etc).

GIS Supplier’s duties

The GIS supplier must run R&D programmes to deliver equipment of appropriately higher
performance: fault-current capability, rated current, time constant, maximum time to
clear a fault …., together with the challenges inherent in the demands for compactness,
interchangeability, interoperability and extended life-span from end-users.
Understanding the true reasons for our customers’ demands to cope with the increasing
performance demands on their assets is a key requisite to enable the timely development and
delivery of superior products and solutions. This will also address the need for sustainability
of our solutions.
It is our Alstom Grid vision that our GIS offering will also be supported by our long experience
in Power Systems planning and engineering in order to optimise our Customers’ strategies.

Conference outline
Within the perspectives of the 2012 GIS Users Group, Alstom Grid will report some cases of
programme development and technical solutions to meet some local operational constraints
above standard values and also to meet the increasing performances of networks.
The 2012 GIS Users Group kindly invites the participants to share their visions and
experiences in similar occurrences, and to report in partnership with suppliers -or not-,
have enabled their respective organizations to properly assess the required performance
characteristics of their assets.

Your benefits
–– Share experience and drivers for higher values or up-ratings on high voltage networks.
–– Share vision of future network characteristics.
–– Exchange with peers and Alstom Grid R&D experts .
–– Potentially impact the technical features of the future GIS ranges so that they best fit
your requirements.
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Getting prepared for the conference

–– Please gather the relevant elements of the technical characteristics of your power sys-
tems that are about to be uprated -or have been recently upgraded. These could include
the introduction of a higher voltage, new fault current capabilities, new time constant
values, higher rated current characteristics etc. ...
–– Have you identified any gaps to be filled in the near future by supplier of gas-insulated
substations to meet the evolution of your network?
–– If relevant, what have been the various stages undertaken in your organization: systems
planning (load forecast and network development), new forms of bulk power genera-
tion, development of interconnections, etc?
–– Have alternative solutions been considered during the process, so as to cope with any
local change of the operational characteristics? This could include solutions such as the
introduction of FACTS, Fault Current limiters, splitting the architecture of existing sub-
stations…
–– Do you commonly work with supplier of gas-insulated substations eg. engaging their
expertise in network consultancy?

Contacts: françois.gallon@alstom.com, arnaud.ficheux@alstom.com,

gilles.tremouille@alstom.com
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Conference 2
Online Partial Discharge Monitoring

target
During this event we wish to discuss and exchange on partial discharge monitoring solutions.
We will provide a technical presentation by our experts and present some customer site
return on experience. This will be followed by a real product presentation.

Conference description
During the conference, Alstom Grid experts will present:
–– A tutorial about the different techniques of partial discharges detection in a GIS:
• conventional method as per the IEC 60270;
• UHF method,
• acoustic method
–– How UHF sensors are designed.
–– The industrial process required, from calibration in factory to site expertise.

The major benefits provided by partial detection solutions are:

–– Security
• earlier identification of partial discharge inception and time-evolution
• combining different methods enables deep interpretation and criticality diagnosis
• enabling identification of defect location
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–– Asset management
• enable a change from curative to preventive maintenance policy
• ease of identification of the type of defect (phase resolved analysis)
• provide true insights into the current aging of the components
• support of life extension
–– Tests and long-term Service
• possibility to perform tests with an installed SF6/air bushing, provided by a reliable
discrimination between external noise and PD
• enable periodic detection (off-line) and/or continuous monitoring
• basis for long-term partnership between GIS manufacturer and end-User

The conference will be followed by live demos performed with real equipment.

Live demos
External
disturbances External
noise
antenna

PD generator

GIS test set UHF monitor

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The partial discharge demo area will feature:

–– PDWatch Monitor
–– Partial Discharge generator
–– External noise antenna
–– UHF sensors on GIS.

Your benefits
–– Get up to date with the latest techniques.
–– Learn from peers and their real site experience.
–– Share visions about these techniques.

Getting prepared for the conference

–– What is the trend in your organisation with respect to PD monitoring?
–– What are your questions about these techniques?

!
Fill in our technical survey:
Link: http://www.support.alstom.com/grid/ug/GIS/2012-conference
Click on the button on the right hand side.

Contacts: jean-francois.penning@alstom.com
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Conference 3
Asset Management Challenges and Strategies

target
During this event we wish to take the opportunity to discuss and exchange on the different
strategies concerning improvements in cost effectiveness, in operating, maintaining,
upgrading and replacing Gas-Insulated Substations.

Conference description
Part 1: Introduction and presentation from Alstom Grid
The content of the presentation will be an introduction to the current complex process that
is the management of transmission and distribution assets through their lifecycle.
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Different aspects of equipment performance and risks as well as the requirement for
maintenance and replacement will be discussed.
The ageing infrastructure is confronting utilities with additional challenges. An overview
of the GIS asset evaluation process and the main factors limiting equipment life-time will
be addressed, together with the options utilities have for residual life extension in terms of
maintenance procedures, repair, retrofit or replacement. The impacts of various factors like
GIS material and design, monitoring devices and diagnostic methods are included as well as
operating duties and environmental conditions.

Part 2: ROUND TABLE about strategic asset management choices

“Should you invest in monitoring devices allowing optimised maintenance or save the
investment cost and accept a more costly maintenance program?”
“Which features can help you in optimising the Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) of the GIS
equipment?”
These and other questions related to asset management strategy are going to be addressed
at the round table, our exchange platform for asset management strategy matters. A
small group of selected asset managers from power utilities and consultants will hold the
discussion in front of the entire GUG audience. Everybody will be at liberty to contribute
their own opinion during this session. The benefits of your participation in this event are to
get an insight into specific aspects of asset management strategies of other utilities and it
will allow you to challenge your own asset management policies.

Part 3: Workshop session

The third part will be a workshop and discussion session. This is your opportunity to express
your short-term and long-term objectives and expectations with regard to GIS Asset
Management. During the discussion in smaller groups of 30 participants maximum we shall
develop ideas targeted at helping to optimise your asset management strategy.
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Your benefits
–– Learn from peers about strategic asset management choices.
–– Let Alstom Grid as your supplier understand the key user issues of Asset Management,
including yours.
–– Participate in discussions about current and future requirements regarding GIS equip-
ment and related services for more efficient Asset Management.

Getting prepared for the conference:

–– Understand the Asset management process and the responsibilities of asset owner,
asset manager and asset service provider in your organization.
–– Inquire about your current GIS fleet: What is the number of your GIS substations in
service and their average age per voltage level? Are these GIS equipped with monitoring
devices or other features to enhance their availability?
–– What are the main drivers of the sourcing strategy with regard to financial and non-
financial criteria for decisions on supplier? For example Life Cycle Cost (LCC), environ-
mental friendliness or supplier qualification and experience.
–– Find out about your current and future maintenance strategy.
–– Discuss the important features and functionalities of the GIS in your asset management
strategy.

Contact: stefan.haseli@alstom.com
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Conference 4
Enhanced availability during Maintenance, Repair,
Extension (MRE): nice-to-have or really needed?

target
The goal of this topic is to understand the profile of the users who may require a high-level
of availability in a contract specification, from an operational and asset management point
of view. We should also like to examine the return on experience from those who have
specified differing levels of availability for their GIS.
From a technical point of view, what is the value of availability?
It may be widely recognized as a nice-to-have feature, but is it really needed by all the users
and what are the parameters that determine the need?

Conference description
The availability concept, known as MRE (Maintenance, Repair and Extension), has been
extensively developed during the last three editions of the GIS Users Group, particularly
from a safety, operational and technical point of view.
This year, the view turns to the return of experience of the users, based on their choices
of single-line diagrams (SLD), equipment and features as well as their asset management
policy and habits.
The topic will be divided into 4 parts:
–– Market analysis (statistics and trends) of the worldwide Users and their requirements in
term of availability according to the following parameters:
• Type of customer
• Voltage
• Region / country
• What SLD is requested?
• How is availability defined in the Users’ specifications?
• How many feeders or/and busbars as a maximum can be lost during a MRE sequence?
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–– Testimonial from a user in favoring a particularly high-level of availability in the initial

specification of a contract,
–– Open-floor to 2 users who are quite different in their needs, interest and return of expe-
rience in terms of availability,
–– Open debate between the pros and cons, with all the participants at the GIS Users
Group.
The first part will be prepared before the event and the results will be presented as an
introduction to the topic. The other parts will take place during a live plenary session where
the active involvement of all participants is invited.
In addition to the conference, there will be some MRE hardware solutions presented in the
Demo area, as well as some MRE concept technical presentations.

Your benefits
–– Share experience with fellow Users
–– Identify the return on investment levers when choosing to specify a high-level of avail-
ability on equipment?
–– Be informed of the asset management model of fellow users
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Getting prepared for the conference:

The plenary session, especially the debate, is an outstanding opportunity for participants to
share their vision and experience with peers in other organisations.
Rather like the practice for CIGRE sessions, participants are kindly invited to prepare their
questions and testimonies prior to the debate.
If needed, in order to illustrate their contribution, participants may wish to prepare one or
two slides.
Some surveys will also be performed prior to the conference. If you wish to participate,
please do not hesitate to contact Charlie Girard (e-mail below).

Contact: charlie.girard@alstom.com
Users Group Europe 2012 Conference © - Alstom, the Alstom logo and any alternative version thereof are trademarks and service marks of Alstom. The other names mentioned, registered or not, are the property of their respective companies. The technical and other data contained in this document
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Alstom Grid - GIS

1 rue Paul Doumer
73106 Aix-les-Bains

www.grid.alstom.com
Tel: +33 (0)4 79 63 88 06

anne-isabelle.feige@alstom.com