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        • Generation
        • Aurora works across a wide range of traditional power generation systems, from small CHP units up to large industrial power generation facilities. We have extensive experience in considering synchronous generators fault contribution into the network, as well as considering issues such as dynamic response and transient stability of synchronous generators.

        • Renewables & Energy Storage
        • Aurora provides a range of services to the Renewables and Battery Energy Storage Systems industries, and can provide advice on analysis on greenfield developments or integration into existing brownfield industrial facilities. We specialise in providing grid simulation and G99 compliance studies to support renewable connections to the UK network, and other European networks.

        • Transmission & Distribution
        • Aurora has extensive experience in the transmission and distribution sector, dealing with private 11kV and 33kV networks, iDNOs and DNOs and National Grid, for a variety of different design and analysis applications.

        • Oil, Gas and Petrochemical
        • Aurora has extensive experience in the Oil & Gas industry, and has undertaken a wide range of design activities, concept studies and simulation studies to support many large international EPC companies and service companies.

        • Industrial
        • Aurora works in light and heavy industry providing a range of services to help plant owners analyse and understand their networks, identify weak spots, providing guidance on system loadings, fault levels, earthing, protection coordination and arc flash.

        • Data Centres
        • Aurora has worked on a number of large data centres, providing a range of services to support existing specialist companies in this area, such as system analysis for fault levels, harmonic analysis, protection coordination and arc flash analysis.

        • Building Services
        • Aurora works in Building Services industry to support multiple M&E contractors in development of the HV aspects of their design, or integration of renewable technologies like roof top solar.  Services include system analysis for fault levels, harmonic analysis, protection coordination and arc flash analysis.

        • Water
        • Aurora has extensive experience in the water industry and has worked fs, identify weak spots, providing guidance on system loadings, fault levels, protection coordination, motor starting earthing and arc flash. We also have extensive experience in helping water companies integrating renewalbe power and battery storge technologies into their sites.

        • Power System Analysis
        • Load flow, fault analysis, P28/2 voltage disturbance including flicker and transformer inrush, G5.5 Harmonics, G99 Grid studies, protection coordination, arc flash, dynamic and transient studies and electromagnetic transients.

        • Power System Design
        • Concept selection, contingency analysis, switchgear and transformer specification, SLD preparation, cable sizing, UPS sizing, substation layouts, protection scheme design, wiring modifications for EPC and M&E companies.

        • Power System Earthing
        • Earth potential rise (EPR) calculations and touch and step voltage calculations with either CDEGS or XGSLab, earthing layouts, soil resistivity testing, fall of potential tests, earthing inspections and resistance testing.

        • Power System Consultancy
        • Concept development and decarbonisation strategies, preparations of G99 and National Grid connection applications, review of ICP and vendor proposals, due diligence checks and client representative and failure investigations.

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        • As a consultancy our people are our greatest assets. Please follow the link above to meet the Aurora Team and find out more about us.

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        • Are you interested in power system studies and analysis? Would you like to work for Aurora? If so click the above link to see our current vacancies.

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Load Flow Studies

What is the purpose of a load flow study?

Load flow studies are one of the most fundamental study types carried out as part of system analysis; but they are often ignored by companies as they are seen as a bit wooly and non-essential. However, they are actually very useful and tell the designer a lot of useful information, as they are used to show how the system will operate in normal, and outage conditions. Whilst this may seem obvious, these studies show a wealth of key information such as equipment loading (over or undersized transformers or cables), voltage profile across the system, which in turn lets transformer tap positions be set, generation adequacy, system losses, active and reactive power flows, power factor at the point of connection and the need for any MVAr compensation.

The other useful part of loadflow analysis is that on large systems it lets you run and analyse multiple and complex outage and emergency cases. This allows identification of bottlenecks and weak point that may not be obvious in everyday operation.

The studies do not have a formal standard to follow in the UK, and are not essential from any legal point of view, but are very useful. Loadflow studies typically consider the following issues:

  • Steady state analysis
  • Ring open point check validation
  • Equipment rating
  • Voltage profile
  • MVAr compensation
  • Power Factor check
  • Emergency condition loadflow

Aurora can carry out loadflow studies for pretty much any type of site, using either DIgSILENT Powerfactory or ETAP. If you want to know more – please get in touch