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Home / Technical Articles / Electrical Distribution Architecture In Water Treatment Plants

Water treatment plants

For both drinking water and wastewater treatment, 4 different sizes of plants have been distinguished. The size of plants can be expressed in quantity of treated water per day, or in corresponding number of inhabitants.

Large WWTP (T4) - Single line diagram - Open MV loop
Large WWTP (T4) - Single line diagram - Open MV loop

Four different types of (waste) water treatment plants have been distinguished, depending on destination and size:

CharacteristicsT1T2T3T4
m3/day
(drinking water or waste water)
1K-5K5K-50K50K-200K200K-1000K
Inhabitants1K-10K10K-100K100K-500K500K-1000K
Power demand25-125 kVA125-1250 kVA1.25-5 MVA5-25 MVA

Electrical Distribution

Guidance is given for the selection of Electrical Distribution architecture in water treatment plants. This includes the selection between different possible configurations of MV and LV circuits and the implementation of back-up power sources.

The most relevant characteristics of the electrical installation are taken into account, such as typology, power demand, sensitivity to power interruptions, …


Connection to the Utility network

4 most commonly used configurations for connection are as follows, in the order of increasing power demand and service reliability //

  1. LV or MV single-line service
  2. MV ring-main service
  3. MV duplicate supply service
  4. MV duplicate supply service with double busbar
Wastewater plant - Connection to the Utility network
Wastewater plant – Connection to the Utility network (click to enlarge schemes)

Metering, protection and disconnection devices, located in the delivery substations are not represented on the following diagrams. They are often specific to each Utility company and do not have an influence on the choice of installation architecture. For each connection, one single transformer is shown for simplification purposes, but in practice, several transformers can be connected.

For the different possible configurations, the most probable and usual set of characteristics is given in the following table:

 

Characteristic to consider

Configurations
LVMVMVMVMV
Single lineRing mainDuplicate supplyDuplicate supply with double busbar
Site topologyAutonomous water treatment plant T1

Remote pumping station P1, P2

Water treatment plant T2

Remote pumping station P3

Water treatment plant T3

Desalination T2

Water treatment plant T4

Desalination T3

Desalination T4
Service reliabilityMinimumMinimumStandardStandardEnhanced
Power demand< 250 kVA< 1250 kVA1.25-5 MVA5-25 MVA> 25 MVA

The connection configurations may differ from the above table due to particular constraints relative to water industry plants – spread-out configuration and suburban location.

Go back to Water Treatment Plants Topics ↑


MV circuit configuration

The three main possible connection configurations are as follows:

  1. Single feeder, one or several transformers,
  2. Open ring, one MV substation,
  3. Open ring, 2 MV substations.

The basic configuration is a radial single-feeder architecture, with one single transformer. In the case of using several transformers, an open ring is commonly realized for improved power availability.

The three main possible connection configurations
The three main possible connection configurations (click to enlarge schemes)

High power motors may be directly supplied at MV for reduction of cable size. The preferred basic configuration comprises one single substation. However, a larger number of substations is possible in some circumstances:

  • A large site,
  • A site with several different process lines,
  • A total power higher than 5 MVA,
  • A need for redundancy, to cope with a natural disaster for example.

The preferred configuration of MV/LV transformers comprises a single transformer supplying the total power of the installed loads.

Certain factors contribute to increase the number of transformers (> 1), preferably of equal power:

  • A high total installed power (> 1250 kVA): practical limit of unit power (standardization, ease of replacement, space requirement, etc…),
  • A large site. The setting up of several transformers as close as possible to the distributed loads allows the length of LV connections to be reduced,
  • A need for partial redundancy (down-graded operation possible in the case of a transformer failure) or total redundancy (normal operation ensured in the case of a transformer failure),
  • Separating of sensitive and disturbing loads (e.g.: IT equipment, motors),
  • Different independent process lines,
  • Supply of MV motors,
  • Installation scalability (different identical process lines).

For the different possible configurations, the most probable and usual set of characteristics is given in the following table:

 

Characteristic
to consider

Configurations
Single feeder
1 substation
1 transformer
Single feeder
1 substation
N transformers
Open ring
1 or 2 substations
N transformers
(different powers)
Plant topologySmall T2Medium T3Large T4
Power demand< 1250 kVA1.25 – 5 MVA> 5 MVA
Load distributionUniformIntermediateLocalized high power loads
MaintainabilityMinimumStandardEnhanced
Disturbance sensitivityLong interruptions acceptableShort interruption acceptableShort interruption acceptable

Go back to Water Treatment Plants Topics ↑


Configuration of LV circuits

Here are the main possible configurations, to be selected according to the requested level of power availability //


Radial single feeder configuration

This is the reference configuration and the most simple. A load is connected to only one single source. This configuration provides a minimum level of availability, since there is no redundancy in case of power source failure.

Radial single feeder configuration
Radial single feeder configuration

Two-pole configuration

The power supply is provided by 2 transformers, connected to the same MV line. When the transformers are close, they are generally connected in parallel to the same Main Low Voltage Switchboard (MLVS).

Two-pole configuration
Two-pole configuration

Variant: Two-pole with two ½ MLVS and NO link

In order to increase the availability in case of failure of the busbars or authorize maintenance on one of the transformers, it is possible to split the MLVS into 2 parts, with a normally open link (NO). This configuration generally requires an Automatic Transfer Switch (ATS).

Two-pole with two ½ MLVS and NO link
Two-pole with two ½ MLVS and NO link

Sheddable switchboard (simple disconnectable attachment)

Sheddable circuits can be connected to a dedicated switchboard. The connection to the MLVS is interrupted when needed (overload, generator operation, etc…)

Sheddable switchboard (simple disconnectable attachment)
Sheddable switchboard (simple disconnectable attachment)

Interconnected switchboards

If transformers are physically not too far from one another, they may be connected by a busbar trunking. A critical load can be supplied by one or other of the transformers.

The availability of power is therefore improved, since the load can always be supplied in the case of failure of one of the sources.

The redundancy can be //

  • Total: each transformer being capable of supplying the whole installation,
  • Partial: each transformer only being able to supply part of the installation. In this case, part of the load must be disconnected (load- shedding) in the case of one of the transformers failing.
Interconnected switchboards
Interconnected switchboards

Double-ended power supply

This configuration is implemented in cases where maximum availability is required. The principle involves having 2 independent power sources, e.g.:

  • 2 transformers supplied by different MV lines
  • 1 transformer and 1 generator
  • 1 transformer and 1 UPS

An automatic transfer switch (ATS) is used to avoid the sources being parallel connected. This configuration allows preventive and curative maintenance to be carried out on all of the electrical distribution system upstream without interrupting the power supply.

Double-ended configuration with automatic transfer switch
Double-ended configuration with automatic transfer switch

Configuration combinations

An installation can be made up of several sub-assemblies with different configurations, according to requirements for the availability of the different types of load. E.g.: generator unit and UPS, choice by sectors (some sectors supplied by cables and others by busbar trunking).

Go back to Water Treatment Plants Topics ↑


Back-up generators

The electrical power supplied by a back-up generator is produced by an alternator, driven by a thermal engine. No power can be produced until the generator has reached its rated speed. This type of device is therefore not suitable for an uninterrupted power supply.

Back-up generator scheme
Back-up generator scheme

The generator can function permanently or intermittently. Its back-up time depends on the quantity of available fuel. According to the generator’s capacity to supply power to all or only part of the installation, there is either total or partial redundancy.

The implementation of a back-up generator should take consideration of the sensitivity of circuits to power interruptions and the availability of the public distribution network.

Back-up diesel generator
Back-up diesel generator (photo credit: E. Csanyi)

Go back to Water Treatment Plants Topics ↑


Presence of Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS)

The electrical power from a UPS is supplied from batteries. This system eliminates any power failure. The back-up time of the system is limited: from several minutes to several hours. The simultaneous presence of a back-up generator and a UPS unit is used for permanently supply loads for which no failure is acceptable.

The back-up time of the batteries must be compatible with the maximum time for the generator to start up and be brought on-line.

A UPS unit is also used for supplying power to loads that are sensitive to disturbances (generating a “clean” voltage that is independent of the network).

Award-Winning APC Symmetra Line of Uninterruptible Power Supply Unit (UPS)
Award-Winning APC Symmetra Line of Uninterruptible Power Supply Unit (UPS) – photo credit: apcdistributors.com

Main characteristics to be considered for implementing a UPS //

  • Sensitivity of loads to power interruptions
  • Sensitivity of loads to disturbances.

The presence of a UPS unit is essential if and only if no power failure is acceptable. Generally, process lines in Water applications are not supplied by UPS because of the large power involved and the possibility to accept short interruptions. UPS are necessary only for process control supply.

Example of configuration for uninterruptible supply of critical circuit:

Example of configuration for uninterruptible supply of critical circuit
Example of configuration for uninterruptible supply of critical circuit

Go back to Water Treatment Plants Topics ↑


Guide to Wastewater treatment plants

Recommended electrical network design for efficient plant and energy operations
// by SCHNEIDER ELECTRIC

Download handbook [8MB]


References //

  • Wastewater treatment plants – Recommended electrical network design for efficient plant and energy operations by Schneider Electric
  • Water and Wastewater Power Solution Handbook by Schneider Electric

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More Information
author-pic

Edvard Csanyi

Electrical engineer, programmer and founder of EEP. Highly specialized for design of LV/MV switchgears and LV high power busbar trunking (<6300A) in power substations, commercial buildings and industry facilities. Professional in AutoCAD programming.

5 Comments


  1. SALAU OMONOGU
    Dec 11, 2019

    Great professional website. I need new technology update.


  2. SALAU OMONOGU
    Dec 11, 2019

    I will appreciate if can be receiving update on any Electrical new technology discovery. You are good platform for studying and development.


  3. Justin
    Aug 18, 2016

    This was a great read! I can only imagine the cost of the redundancy of the UPS’s and the back-up generators.


  4. Carlos Hernandez
    Mar 29, 2016

    Engineer Edvard I want to ask you two things, the first one is: at the single line diagram of autonomous water treatment plant, what does mean the letter “L”?, is this the abbrevaition for Load?. The second question is, why do you refere the words lifting, screening, clarifier, aeration, sludge in the single line diagram?, thanks for your time.

    Regards


  5. Carlos Hernandez
    Mar 29, 2016

    I read your article and it is very impressive, I m currently work in a power plant located in Venezuela and the water treatment plant uses and osmosis inverse unit and a sulfuric dosage system for the water circulation system. I m electrical engineer but my position in the company is in DCC department, I can review drawings and calculation reports but I can not go to site even to take a picture, I would like to learn more about water treatment plants. By the way, thanks for upload the document from schneider electric.

    Regards

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