Concept Design

In the early stages of a project, the requirements may be known only in a general sense . . . and there may be many ways to meet those requirements. For example, a substation may need more capacity. Should feeders be added? Should the existing transformer be replaced and a larger one installed? Or should another transformer be added? How should the new substation be arranged: open-air or enclosed?

Alternative designs have their advantages, but there are trade-offs between real estate requirements, cost, aesthetics, ease of installation and use, future expandability, ability to interface with existing equipment, and reliability. The right solution for one set of circumstances may not be appropriate for another.

Determining the optimum solution requires agreement of all involved parties. To facilitate the discussion, it may be necessary to create layouts of one or more of the alternatives. As the design begins to take shape, approval from upper management and local government zoning boards may be sought and secured. After the concept has gelled, details of the physical design and the protection and control design can proceed. This process leads to a finished project in which the expectations of all parties are met, avoiding costly changes later in the construction stage.