ADVISORY GROUPS

This Advisory Group defines the goals, directions and strategy of the Study Committee in detail, figures out necessary fields of activity and supports establishing of new working groups.

The final preparation of the Preferential Subjects for the Paris sessions will be done and the Strategic Plan and the Action Plan of the Study Committee will be prepared by this group.

AG A3.04: Tutorials

CIGRE must be involved in tutorials as part of its mission to disseminate technical knowledge. Tutorials are now part of CIGRE’s mission.

Advisory Group AG A3.04 will develop, manage and deliver tutorials within the scope of SC A3. This AG will also handle links with universities and the promotion of research topics to the universities; and the AG will also represent the SC in matters related to the EPEE forum.

Tutorials can be held in conjunction with CIGRE events: Regional Meetings, National Committee Meetings, Colloquiums and Symposiums. Presenting tutorials at CIRED events may also be considered appropriate.

National Committees will be the promoters and sponsors of the tutorials, handling the logistics, setting and collecting fees, and dealing with related expenses.

WORKING GROUPS

Study of high-voltage circuit-breaker, disconnector, earthing switch, and instrument transformer failures and defects in service in the voltage range of 72,5 kV up to and including 800 kV. The aim is to determine reliability data and trends, based on a worldwide enquiry. The results of the enquiry will be compared to the results of previous Cigré studies.

WG A3.15: Non Conventional Instrument Transformers (NCIT´s)

The technological progress in the last decade in Information Technology and Electronics has led to important changes in substation layout:

• substations are tending to become increasingly compact
• data transmission is becoming digital.

WG A3.17: Evaluation of Stresses of Surge Arresters and appropriate Test Procedures

In the Surge Arrester community an ongoing discussion can be observed addressing mechanical tests, climatic tests, short circuit tests, impulse current tests, d.c. tests, and long duration tests. Recommendations will be worked out regarding improved, commonly applicable test procedures for Surge Arresters, both as a stand alone apparatus and as an integral part of other equipment.

WG A3.21: Aspects for the application of non-ceramic insulators to HV and MV apparatus

The active parts inside electrical apparatus interact with the insulating housing (especially if made of non-ceramic materials) and may influence the behavior of the equipment. The work shall cover all the major aspects of this interaction: i.e thermal, mechanical, electrical and environmental.

WG A3.22: Technical requirements for substation equipment exceeding 800kV

The technical requirements for equipment exceeding 800kV have largely been developed by individual users/manufacturers such that there is limited worldwide standardization. This WG will review the present state-of-the-art of project specific and (inter)national technical specifications for all equipment within the scope of A3 at voltages of 765kV and above. The review will identify areas of commonality and of divergence. The technical background of all aspects of the available specifications will be analyzed with the intention of identifying and reporting current “best practice”.

WG A3.23: Application and feasibility of fault current limiters in power systems

This WG will build upon the previous work of WG A3.10 and WG A3.16 with regard to the application of fault current limiters from a technical point of view. Different types of FCL, the experience from pilot projects and the feasibility of application will be investigated. The gathering of customer system requirements and acceptance issues will give hints concerning the potential economical savings.

WG A3.24: Tools for Simulating Internal Arc and Current Withstand Testing

The WG will continue the analysis of the use of simulation as verification tools with a specific focus on two study cases where potential benefits are foreseen; internal arc testing of SF6 filled equipment and temperature rise type testing.

WG A3.25: MO varistors and surge arresters for emerging system conditions

The working will review and report on the main topics UHV arresters, increasing field strength and axial temperature distribution. The running research project of WG A3.17 concerning energy handling capability of MO varistors will be continued and ageing test under abnormal conditions and theory of ageing will be investigated.

WG A3.26: Influence of shunt capacitor banks on circuit breaker fault interruption duties

The scope of the proposed working group is to investigate the influence of both earthed and unearthed shunt capacitor banks on line breaker fault interruption and the effect of series reactors on fault interruption with capacitor switching circuit breakers.

WG A3.27: The impact of the application of vacuum switchgear at transmission voltages