XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

TRANSMISSION/GENERATION FEASIBILITY STUDY

SHORT CIRCUIT ANALYSIS

El Paso Electric Company

System Operations Department
System Planning Section
November 2002

I.

INTRODUCTION

El Paso Electric Company (EPE) has agreed to perform of a

Transmission/Generation Feasibility Study for XXXXXXXXXXXXX (a subsidiary
of XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXX) with regard to the
construction and interconnection of 160 MW of new Deming Energy generation
(two combustion turbines). General Electric International, Inc.s Power Systems
Energy Consulting (GE PSEC) is performing the Generation Interconnection
Feasibility Study for EPE for this proposed interconnection. This 160 MW
generation resource will be interconnected to EPEs Afton-Luna 345 kV line.
When generation is added to a system, the available fault current of that system
increases. Therefore, a study, called a short circuit study, has been performed to
determine if the Southern New Mexico existing substation circuit breakers in the
substations electrically near the new generation have adequate short circuit
interruption duties. This report and this part of the analysis consists of the short
circuit study. The short circuit study was performed by EPE. The powerflow and
stability analysis of this study is being performed by GE PSEC and will be issued
under a separate cover.

Short Circuit Analysis for a

Transmission/Generation Feasibility Study
Requested by XXXXXXXXXXXXXX

El Paso Electric Company

November 2002

II.

SHORT CIRCUIT STUDY MODELING

The new generation proposed by XXXXXXXXXXXXXX is sited at about the midpoint of EPEs Afton-Luna 345 kV and will be interconnected to a new substation
(called DEMTAP1 345 kV, in the post-project powerflow cases used for the
feasibility portion of this study). Therefore, the Luna-Afton 345 kV line was
assumed to be tapped into this substation (see feasibility study report for details
on configuration assumed) at about its midpoint such that this line becomes the
Luna-DEMTAP1 and DEMTAP1-Afton 345 kV lines in the post-project scenarios
(assuming the Deming Energy project in).
The two generators will be connected to the 345 kV transmission through a
single 217 MVA, 13.8/345 kV step-up transformer. The step-up transformer has
an impedance of 8 % on a 130 MVA base. The step-up transformer impedance
modeled in the short circuit analysis was:
Z (step-up) = 0.0031 + J0.06146 per unit (100 MVA base)
The new generators have the following reactance values on the generator MVA
base:
Xd = Direct Axis Synchronous Reactance = 2.321 per unit
Xd = Direct Axis Transient Reactance = 0.247 per unit
Xd = Direct Axis Subtransient Reactance = 0.171 per unit
These reactance values were converted to a 100 MVA base and used to model
the new generators in the short circuit study.
In addition to the new Deming Energy generation, four other viable generation
projects were added in the analysis. These generation project were:

600 MW of generation interconnected at the Luna 345 kV Substation.

135 MW of generation interconnected to the Luna-Newman 345 kV line.
160 MW of generation interconnected near Lordsburg, New Mexico.
110 MW of generation interconnected at Lordsburg, New Mexico.

These additional generators were modeled in the study to provide a worst case
scenario in the event that they are interconnected into EPEs system before the
Deming Energy generation is interconnected.
Maximum fault currents were then determined at the Demtap1 345 kV bus and
other southern New Mexico substations of interest or importance.

Short Circuit Analysis for a

Transmission/Generation Feasibility Study
Requested by XXXXXXXXXXXXXX

El Paso Electric Company

November 2002

These included :
Afton 345 kV
Arroyo 345 kV
DEMTAP1 345 kV
Diablo 345 kV
Luna 345 kV
Newman 345 kV

Diablo 115 kV
Luna 115 kV
Newman 115 kV
Rio Grande 115 kV
Rio Grande 69 kV

The resulting fault current was then compared to the circuit breaker interruption
ratings of the breakers at each of the above mentioned substations.

Short Circuit Analysis for a

Transmission/Generation Feasibility Study
Requested by XXXXXXXXXXXXXX

El Paso Electric Company

November 2002

III.

RESULTS OF THE SHORT CIRCUIT ANALYSIS

The circuit breakers used in the Southern New Mexico System at 345 kV, 115
kV, and 69 kV buses vary between the substations. The following is a list of the
existing circuit breakers, along with the interruption rating, at each of the
pertinent substations:
Breaker
Substation
Afton

Breaker
Voltage
345
345
345
345
345
345

Number
6498B
3348B
7628B
4548B
8578B
9728B

Arroyo

345
345
345
345
345
345
345

2418B
2458B
4348B
3018B
5428B
7548B
2098B

Demtap1

345 (To be determined)

Diablo

345
345
345

1888B
2138B
2258B

40,000
40,000
40,000

Luna

345
345
345
345
345
345
345
345
345

01982
03082
04182
07482
09682
08582
10682
11782
15082

40,000
40,000
40,000
40,000
40,000
40,000
40,000
40,000
40,000

Short Circuit Analysis for a

Transmission/Generation Feasibility Study
Requested by XXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Interruption
Rating (Amps)
40,000
40,000
40,000
40,000
40,000
40,000
40,000
40,000
40,000
40,000
40,000
40,000
40,000

El Paso Electric Company

November 2002

Breaker
Substation
Newman

Breaker
Voltage
345
345
345
345

Number
2448B
6018B
8378B
0538B

Diablo

115
115
115
115
115
115

1586B
1636B
1706B
1806B
2876B
4326B

40,000
40,000
40,000
40,000
40,000
31,500

Luna

115
115
115

32162
34362
33262

20,000
20,000
20,000

Newman

115
115
115
115
115
115
115
115
115
115
115
115
115
115
115
115
115
115
115
115
115
115
115
115

Short Circuit Analysis for a

Transmission/Generation Feasibility Study
Requested by XXXXXXXXXXXXXX

11950
11101
15601
N-115-1
11951
11401
N-115-7
11957
N-115-8
11952
11601
N-115-3
11953
15501
N-115-19
11967
N-115-20
N-115-21
11968
N-115-22
N-115-23
11969
N-115-24
N-115-2

Interruption
Rating (Amps)
40,000
40,000
40,000
40,000

40,000
50,000
40,000
40,000
40,000
40,000
43,000
43,000
43,000
40,000
50,000
40,000
40,000
40,000
40,000
40,000
40,000
40,000
40,000
40,000
40,000
40,000
40,000
40,000

El Paso Electric Company

November 2002

Breaker
Substation
Rio Grande

Rio Grande

Breaker
Voltage
115
115
115
115
115
115
115
115
115
115
115
115

Number
1516B
3316B
4456B
4616B
1766B
2296B
2426B
5146B
1126B
2186B
3856B
5376B

69
69
69
69
69
69
69
69
69
69
69
69
69
69

Short Circuit Analysis for a

Transmission/Generation Feasibility Study
Requested by XXXXXXXXXXXXXX

5009
5003
5907
5005
5006
5007
5701
5501
1254B
5601
5918
5401B
5010
5032

Interruption
Rating (Amps)
40,000*
23,000
23,000
40,000
40,000
23,000
23,000
40,000
40,000*
23,000
23,000
40,000
40,000*
40,000*
24,000
40,000
40,000
26,000
31,500
31,500
31,500
31,500
40,000
31,500
40,000
40,000

El Paso Electric Company

November 2002

The short circuit analysis was first performed with no new Deming Energy
generation (all other viable generation projects in). This gave the base case
fault duties of the circuit breakers. Then the Deming Energy generation was
modeled and the short circuit study was re-run (all other viable generation
projects in). The incremental between these two studies gave the impact of the
new generators on the existing circuit breakers in the Southern New Mexico
system. The short circuit (fault) currents for each case at all of the possibly
impacted substations are:
Three Phase Line to Ground:

Substation Faulted
Afton 345 kV Bus
Arroyo 345 kV Bus
Demtap1 345 kV Bus
Diablo 345 kV Bus
Luna 345 kV Bus
Newman 345 kV Bus
Diablo 115 kV Bus
Luna115 kV Bus
Newman 115 kV Bus
Rio Grande 115 kV Bus
Rio Grande 69 kV Bus

No Deming Energy
Generation Project
Fault Current (Amps)
7,928.0
5,812.0
NA
5,295.0
11,758.0
7,778.0
18,968.0
9,831.0
24,414.0
20,529.0
19,438.0

With Deming Energy

Generation Project
Fault Current (Amps)
8,556.0
5,929.0
9,888.0
5,390.0
12,594.0
7,927.0
19,232.0
9,970.0
24,823.0
20,787.0
19,563.0

Single Phase Line to Ground:

Substation Faulted
Afton 345 kV Bus
Arroyo 345 kV Bus
Demtap1 345 kV Bus
Diablo 345 kV Bus
Luna 345 kV Bus
Newman 345 kV Bus
Diablo 115 kV Bus
Luna115 kV Bus
Newman 115 kV Bus
Rio Grande 115 kV Bus
Rio Grande 69 kV Bus

No Deming Energy
Generation Project
Fault Current (Amps)
6,904.0
5,079.0
NA
4,846.0
40,000.0
7,927.0
19,092.0
11,546.0
28,894.0
22,334.0
22,953.0

Short Circuit Analysis for a

Transmission/Generation Feasibility Study
Requested by XXXXXXXXXXXXXX

With Deming Energy

Generation Project
Fault Current (Amps)
8,328.0
5,150.0
9,523.0
4,902.0
13,180.0
8,187.0
19,275.0
11,695.0
29,319.0
22,556.0
23,071.0

El Paso Electric Company

November 2002

Comparing these fault currents to the appropriate existing circuit breaker

interruption ratings shows that the interconnection of the new Deming Energy
generators at the Demtap1 345 kV Substation, in the configuration and
parameters as given by Deming Energy, will not cause any existing circuit
breaker to operate outside its design rating.

Short Circuit Analysis for a

Transmission/Generation Feasibility Study
Requested by XXXXXXXXXXXXXX

El Paso Electric Company

November 2002

IV. Results and Conclusions

A short circuit study was performed on the Southern New Mexico system
comparing the maximum fault current on the system at various substations:
Demtap1 Substation (new) and selected substations in Southern New Mexico,
both with and without the new generation proposed by Deming Energy. The
results of this study show that the maximum fault current with six new generators
proposed by Deming Energy is less than the minimum interruption rating of any
effected existing circuit breaker:
Maximum Fault Current
With Deming Energy
Minimum Circuit Breaker
Generation
Substation
Interruption Rating (Amps)
(Amps)
Afton 345 kV Bus
NA
8,556.0
Arroyo 345 kV Bus
40,000.0
5,929.0
Demtap1 345 kV Bus
NA
9,888.0
Diablo 345 kV Bus
40,000.0
5,390.0
Luna 345 kV Bus
40,000.0
13,180.0
Newman 345 kV Bus
40,000.0
8,187.0
Diablo 115 kV Bus
31,500.0
19,275.0
Luna115 kV Bus
20,000.0
11,695.0
Newman 115 kV Bus
40,000.0
29,319.0
Rio Grande 115 kV Bus*
20,000.0
22,556.0
Rio Grande 69 kV Bus*
19,000.0
23,071.0
* The maximum fault current of he circuit breaker(s) with the minimum circuit
breaker interruption rating at this substation was exceeded prior to the Deming
Energy project. No new circuit breakers had their maximum fault current
exceeded at these substations because of Deming Energy.

Short Circuit Analysis for a

Transmission/Generation Feasibility Study
Requested by XXXXXXXXXXXXXX

El Paso Electric Company

November 2002

V. Certification
This Short Circuit Analysis was performed pursuant with a
Transmission/Generation Feasibility Study requested by XXXXXXXXXXXXXX.
The generator, step-up transformer and new transmission line parameters were
supplied by XXXXXXXXXXXXXXX. The Short Circuit Analysis was performed by
El Paso Electric Company.
Name:

Dennis H. Malone

Title:

Supervisor, System Planning

Signature:

Dennis H. Malone

Company: El Paso Electric Company

Date:

Short Circuit Analysis for a

Transmission/Generation Feasibility Study
Requested by XXXXXXXXXXXXXX

10

El Paso Electric Company

November 2002