15.04.2024

Repair of current transformer at EPZ Nuclear Power Plant Borssele

Rapid Response and Expert Repair of a Third-Party Current Transformer at Nuclear Plant Borssele.

Exterior of the EPZ nuclear power plant in Borssele

Background

Kerncentrale Borssele, a pivotal nuclear power plant, encountered an unexpected challenge when a critical component of its generator, a current transformer, failed. This malfunction ceased the plant’s ability to deliver power, significantly impacting operations and raising concerns over infrastructure reliability. The facility faced a pressing need for immediate, expert intervention to restore function and ensure the safety and efficiency of its operations.

Challenge

The situation presented a multifaceted challenge:

Technical Complexity: The current transformer has operated for over 50 years, complicating diagnostic and repair efforts.
Operational Urgency: The plant required the transformer to be repaired and operating as soon as possible to minimise downtime and economic impact.
Safety and Compliance: Ensuring the repair work complied with strict safety and operating standards was paramount.

Solution

ELEQ’s team was mobilised to address this critical issue, leveraging our expertise in electrical infrastructure and commitment to operational excellence. The response involved several key steps:

Rapid Mobilization and Assessment: Our specialists thoroughly examined the damaged current transformer to identify the failure modes and devise a strategic repair plan.
Technical Solution Development: Drawing on extensive experience with current and voltage transformers, the team proposed a viable technical solution addressing immediate operational needs and long-term reliability concerns.
Efficient Execution: Within the constrained timeframe, ELEQ’s team executed the repair, replacing the damaged components and conducting comprehensive tests to ensure the transformer’s functionality and compliance with safety standards.
Collaboration and Support: The effort was characterised by exceptional teamwork and collaboration, with ELEQ’s specialists working closely with Kerncentrale Borssele’s personnel to facilitate a smooth and effective repair process.

Outcome

The repair was completed within the ambitious one-day timeframe, restoring the Kerncentrale Borssele’s ability to generate power and preventing further economic and operational impacts. The successful intervention demonstrated ELEQ’s capability to tackle highly complex and urgent technical challenges, reinforcing our reputation as a leader in electrical infrastructure solutions.

Customer Satisfaction: The swift and effective resolution of the issue was met with high praise from the customer, culminating in a generous appreciation gesture – a Christmas present for our colleagues in Steenwijk.
Team Recognition: The project underscored the dedication, skill, and unconditional support of our team members, whose collaborative effort was crucial to the project’s success. The achievement was celebrated with a dinner, acknowledging the hard work and commitment of the eleven colleagues involved.

Reflections

This case study exemplifies ELEQ’s core values of dedication, expertise, and rapid response to customer needs. It highlights our ability to navigate the complexities of repairing and optimising critical electrical infrastructure within stringent timelines, ensuring operational continuity and safety for our clients. Our team’s unwavering support for one another and commitment to excellence solved a pressing technical problem and reinforced the trust and confidence our customers place in us.

ELEQ remains at the forefront of addressing the challenges associated with ageing electrical infrastructure, offering innovative solutions and unparalleled service to ensure the reliability and efficiency of energy systems worldwide.

More case studies

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ELEQ Smart City solutions

ELEQ Smart Multi Connection Box and Application Modules

A smart city is a city that uses advanced technology and data analytics to improve the quality of life for its residents and enhance the sustainability of its infrastructure. Making a city accessible and liveable is an important challenge for the future. How do we shape the energy transition and how do we keep our infrastructure efficient and available? Technology and digitization play a major role in managing this large-scale change. The goal of a ‘Smart City’ is simply to increase the quality of life of its residents and visitors. This requires smart solutions and the right technology. That is what ELEQ offers.

The reuse of existing objects in private and public space is the most sustainable solution and prevents a proliferation of lampposts, communication masts and EV charging stations. Due to their height and existing infrastructure – in combination with smart solutions from ELEQ – light poles are extremely suitable for social tasks such as improving mobility, efficient energy use, health and safety.

Mobility

One of the key areas of focus for smart cities is transportation. Smart cities use data from sensors and connected devices to optimize traffic flow, reduce congestion, and improve public transportation. This can include intelligent traffic management systems, real-time transit updates, EV charging facilities, load balancing, and smart parking systems that guide drivers to available spots. By making transportation more efficient, smart cities can not only reduce traffic-related emissions but also improve air quality.

ELEQ Connection Box EV
ELEQ Connection Box Fiber
ELEQ Connection Box Air Quality Sensor

Energy efficiency

Another important area for smart cities is energy efficiency. Smart cities use sensors and data analysis to optimize energy usage, reduce waste, and improve sustainability. This can include smart lighting systems that automatically adjust the amount of light based on occupancy, weather, and time of day, but also smart buildings that use energy-efficient materials and sensors to monitor and adjust heating and cooling systems. To ensure optimal operation of these and other new functionalities, ELEQ has developed the Smart Multi Connection Box including a compact kWh meter and communication module. By improving energy efficiency, smart cities can reduce their carbon footprint and save money on energy costs.

ELEQ Smart Multi Connection Box
ELEQ Connection Box Smart Lighting

Public safety and security

A smart and connected society starts with high-speed internet. Not only at home or at work, but also outside the house. Safety and security is ensured by connected devices and sensors monitoring public spaces, tracking crime trends, and improving emergency response times. This can include things like CCTV cameras, sound detection systems, and predictive policing algorithms. The Connection Box Fiber from ELEQ offers real-time transfer of large files, allowing you to make optimal use of camera applications or traffic installations. In combination with a sound sensor this offers a solution to quickly give warning by incidents, map out the daily noise, monitor temporary situations and measure how many decibels of noise pollute the public space.

ELEQ Connection Box Fiber
ELEQ Connection Box Sound Sensor

In summary, making a city accessible and liveable is an important challenge for the future when it comes to improving mobility, efficient energy use, health and safety. ELEQ wants to contribute to social challenges by offering smart solutions and the right technology. Currently ELEQ offers a handful of solutions, but there is yet more to come!

Contact:
Looking for a customer-specific solution for connecting other applications? Please feel free to contact us for the possibilities.

Read further:

Landingspage Smart City solutions

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ELEQ 333 mV Transformers for smart station automation

The energy market is constantly in motion. Where grid operators used to plan changes for the long-term, the energy transition is forcing a rapid redesign of the grid. An example of this is the uptake of solar panels in certain districts, which affects the required grid capacity. The grid is also becoming destabilised by decentralised generation, and modern equipment is more sensitive to that instability, which can cause disturbances.

Smart station automation

Smarter station automation offers a solution for monitoring grid performance properly. For example, this could include options for local and remote reading and station control. Relevant data to monitor include current, voltage, power, temperature and humidity, short-circuit and overload. When unusual activity is detected, the station can be remotely switched off or diverted.

Transformers with 333 mV output

Correct measurement is the foundation for smarter station automation. To that end, ELEQ offers a range of transformers with 333 mV output. In addition to our split-core current transformers (TQ), we are developing our smallest transformers, the RM17 and RM27, with a voltage output.

The benefits of our 333 mV range are:

Easy to install
- o The TQ transformers are split-core, which is also perfect for retrofit jobs;
- o Longer cables possible to the measuring unit.
Safe
- o The transformer does not need to be short-circuited when the meter has to be disassembled.

In short, ELEQ offers the solution for correct measurement to enable smarter station automation, working together with leading international companies to achieve it.

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ELEQ Voltage Transformer for decentralised generation

As synergy results in energy we aim for partnerships. One such example is the metering challenges presented by high voltages in decentralised generation. In this case, ELEQ collaborated with wind turbine builders, energy companies and panel builders to develop a line of voltage transformers. The new transformers allow the continued use of standard kWh meters for both the metered voltage and the supply voltage.

Together with our customers we came up with a solution for the challenge. The challenge was:
– High voltages in decentralised generation prevented the use of standard kWh meters.

While working closely together we developed a voltage transformer that allows the use of standard kWh meters for both the voltage to be measured and the supply voltage. This has the following advantages:
– Simplified installation;
– Cost savings;
– The transformers satisfy the standards for metering.

Also looking for Mastering Electricity Together?
Contact us for more information or make an appointment through email [email protected] or by calling us at +31 (0) 521 533 333 or + 49 (0) 2273 988 70.

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16.04.2019

Compact and suitable up to 32A, meet the 5L6039

For a major roll-out of fiberglass KPN wanted to use new distribution cabinets. To keep the cabinets as compact as possible, a regular connection board was not ideal. Those are pretty large. Nevertheless was there need for supply in the cabinets, so ELEQ designed a perfect solution together with KPN.

Application field
Cases
Highlights
Public Area

Product category
Connection boxes

The connection box 5L6039 is a compact solution suitable for 2 ground cables. The connection box is supplied with a sealed part for the network company where the network company can connect the ground cable. The other part of the connection box belongs to KPN, where an ABB kWh-measurement instrument is mounted in the connection box. The connection box meets the same standard as a house cabinet. In short, a solution which measures the usage of the cabinet.

Due to the compact design of the connection box, and because the box is suitable untill 32A, KPN can also use the connection box for other cabinets which need to be placed in the public space.

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16.04.2019

Mounting cost reduction with GSQR410

BRUSH is a large independent manufacturer of turbo generators. For the project ‘4 pole generator’ in Mozambique they were looking for transformers.

Together with ELEQ the customer set the goal to reduce the Total costs. For the TCO reduction we focused on reducing mounting costs (labor and extra mounting material) and to reduce the size of the terminal box (hardware).

Application field
Cases
Transport & Distribution

Product category
Generator
Medium voltage

Product(s)
GSQR410

To reduce the total height of the terminal box ELEQ designed the GSQR410. This current transformer has the advantage that it can be easy mounted with only screwing rods and nuts. But the design is also optimized. Therefore it needs less space in height and in that way reduces the size of the terminal box.

The GSQR is used for protection and measurement and is used in power generators and Gen Sets. The GSQR is extremely suitable for mounting in the generator application because this product is designed according to the special ELEQ generator construction, which makes the transformer shock and/or vibration resistant.

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16.04.2019

Limited mounting space required with RM200-E10/4

Bakker Sliedrecht (PON) needed for the project W2W Damen current transformers for the low voltage distribution panels. Those distribution panels will be installed on a ship.

The low voltage distribution panels are very narrow and consist a high volume copper bars, quit a challenge in combination with the required measuring and protection specifications of the transformers. Due to the narrow panels in combination with the high volume copper bars it’s almost impossible to mount a current transformer between the big copper bars.

Application field
Cases
Marine & Industry

Product category
Low voltage

ELEQ developed in short time a new housing especially for this type of circuit breaker. The 4 times 100x10mm copper bars (Totally 100x70mm) are fitting perfect in the new RM200-E10/4, 5000/5/5A with a double core with class 1 and 5P10.

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16.04.2019

Retrofit and compact solution with TQ50-L

Eandis is the biggest energy company in Belgium. As they wanted to know if the maximum capacity was reached in their sub-stations they were looking for a compact and retrofit solution. Why a retrofit solution? So it wouldn’t be necessary to switch the power off in all the sub-stations

Application field
Cases
Energy Management

Product category
Energy Management

By using the ELEQ TQ50-L split-core current transformer, they can measure the current up to 1000A without disconnecting the voltage. Also in narrow situations the current transformers are very easy to install because of the smart construction, because the top-part of the TQ50 can be removed entirely.

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ELEQ Customized transformer concept for transformer station

The transition from a fossil energy-based central energy system to a sustainable decentralized system requires a lot from the electricity network. Network operator Enexis is taking the next step towards digitization and data-driven asset management by placing sensors in its medium-voltage stations. The data collected here supports the network operator in monitoring his network, in making smart investment decisions and in implementing smart maintenance. This digitization makes it easier for municipalities and private individuals to make their energy consumption more sustainable.

Like any government company, Enexis is obliged to publicly tender its tenders. Because the network company expects to use Distribution Automation (DA) and Distribution Automation Light (Dali) boxes for a long period of time, the Enexis experts paid a lot of attention to make the Dali box future-proof. Kohlmann: “Of course we have accurately described the specifications with regard to functionality. We also opted for an open system that in principle can handle all type of data protocols. The risk of a vendor lock is more present with data communication systems than with most hardware that we use in our networks. Also the dynamics of these types of systems are very different from what we are used to as they age faster. Besides being open, the system is also quite flexible, so that we can easily add new sensors if we need them in the future.”

Current Transformers

One of the contributions to the Dali box came from ourselves. Our account manager Wim van Turennout: “We originally registered for a small but important part of the Dali box: the connection by using current transformers.”

After the contract was allowed to us, we thought we could help Enexis speed up the installation. Van Turennout: “You cannot just switch off a medium voltage station to install a Dali box. The Dali box must be mounted and connected in an operational medium-voltage station. For example, offering phase voltages and currents, but also taking over the control of public lighting and the tariff signal. Considering the amount of cabling, connecting is often a challenge. Apart from the fact that it is difficult to work in the often tight spaces, mistakes are also made quickly during connecting. Our proposal was to use special connectors for the current transformers that indicate which codes should be mounted to which phase. Subsequently, a technician only needs to follow the color codes to ensure a good connection of the current transformers. With this quite simple solution, we save technicians a lot of research work and the number of recovery actions afterwards is reduced.

Easier to assemble

In addition to the current, the voltage must be measured. For voltage measurement we provide a clamp that is easy to clamp onto the rail with the help of an isolated socket wrench which is also safer than an unsecured wire to a terminal strip, thanks to the built-in fuse. We had already developed this voltage measurement clamp for a similar concept. Again, we came up with a solution that simplifies mounting the Dali boxes, making installation a lot faster.

We like to think along with our customers and use the expertise that we build up to make their work more efficient and safer. The energy transition is a very complex exercise that requires the utmost of the knowledge and skills of the energy market. We as supplier can transfer experience from one network operator to another and thus contribute to keeping the electricity network affordable.”

Also looking for a customized transformer concept? Contact us for more information.

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Repair of current transformer at EPZ Nuclear Power Plant Borssele

Repair of current transformer at EPZ Nuclear Power Plant Borssele

Rapid Response and Expert Repair of a Third-Party Current Transformer at Nuclear Plant Borssele.

Background

Challenge

Solution

Outcome

Reflections

ELEQ Smart City solutions

ELEQ Smart Multi Connection Box and Application Modules

Mobility

Energy efficiency

Public safety and security

ELEQ 333 mV Transformers for smart station automation

Smart station automation

Transformers with 333 mV output

ELEQ Voltage Transformer for decentralised generation

Compact and suitable up to 32A, meet the 5L6039

Mounting cost reduction with GSQR410

Limited mounting space required with RM200-E10/4

Retrofit and compact solution with TQ50-L

ELEQ Customized transformer concept for transformer station

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Product specifications