Ideally Networked
The company’s top priority is ensuring maximum quality of supply
The distribution of electricity and natural gas in Austria’s easternmost federal state is handled by the company Netz Burgenland. EPLAN’s new focus on the energy sector means that EPLAN Electric P8 can support with planning, operating and converting their 21 substations.
The 110-kV power distribution network covers around 700 kilometres throughout Austria’s easternmost federal state. © www.martingold.at
The network that supplies the Austrian federal state of Burgenland with electricity is divided into a 100-kV distribution grid, a 20-kV medium-voltage grid, and a low-voltage level. All of these grids are installed, operated and maintained by the circa 500 employees at Netz Burgenland. In addition, Netz Burgenland also operates a renewable-energy grid that was set up by Burgenland Energie Green Energy, an affiliated company, for electricity generated by wind and photovoltaics. “In total we manage a power grid that covers many thousands of kilometres,” says engineer Manfred Herowitsch, MBA, the director of power grid technology at Netz Burgenland. The company’s top priority is ensuring maximum quality of supply – while fulfilling the highest standards for the distribution grid.
An additional challenge is feeding in and transporting the electricity supplied by the increasing generation of renewable energy, which is often produced in a decentralised manner and in much smaller amounts. Thus even ten years ago, Burgenland was producing more electricity than it consumed, thanks to large windfarms located primarily in the north of the state, but now also increasingly from photovoltaic power plants.
The installed green energy capacity currently totals around 1,600 MW. “That’s four to five times the amount of Burgenland’s total energy use,” Herowitsch says. Netz Burgenland also operates 21 transformer stations.
Optimal Usability
For the construction, operation and necessary conversion of its transformer stations, Netz Burgenland has been relying since 2009 on the E-CAE software tool EPLAN Electric P8, which has eliminated the hodgepodge of different solutions they used previously and now ensures uniformity and standardisation of the company’s schematics. Herowitsch: “The engineering and construction of a substation is carried out by third-party contractors according to our specifications. We then commission the system ourselves and also take care of all the project management.”
The engineering is completed exclusively in EPLAN by the suppliers. “Even the only company that hadn’t previously used the software immediately agreed to use EPLAN Electric P8,” Herowitsch is happy to report. Right from the beginning of the engineering phase for the construction of a new transformer station, there is a lively exchange on EPLAN between the suppliers and Netz Burgenland. EPLAN is ideal for this since everyone involved is always able to work at the same level, indeed on the same document. “We incorporate our comments to the suppliers directly into EPLAN so that the planning remains clear and easily comprehensible for everyone,” Herowitsch adds.
Once the engineering is completed, the comprehensive documentation of all the schematics also serves as a basis for service and maintenance, not to mention any conversions or expansions, which the experts at Netz Burgenland plan themselves using EPLAN Electric P8.
Erich Grill at Netz Burgenland relies on the future-proof solution EPLAN Electric P8. © www.martingold.at
The switchgear systems and panels are engineered using EPLAN Electric P8. © www.martingold.at
Netz Burgenland employee Daniel Olram: “Clear and comprehensive documentation supports all maintenance work.” © www.martingold.at
Customised Solutions
“It’s important for us to be using a future-proof software tool that gives us long-term security and is continually being improved and expanded,” Herowitsch says. “That’s why EPLAN was the obvious choice. Even though we don’t do the engineering for new substations ourselves and only plan conversions and expansions to existing systems, using EPLAN Electric P8 really pays off. Its widespread use by our suppliers, its easy and clear operation, the excellent documentation it provides and the future-proof nature of this technologically mature software have confirmed our decision to switch to EPLAN.”
EPLAN’s Account Manager for Eastern Austria Erwin Kreuzer adds: “Our product really shows off the strength of its flexibility here. It’s clear that EPLAN Electric P8 is an asset for all sectors: from automation to process industries, to control cabinet and machine engineering, to energy supply.”
Due to the ongoing strong interest, one of the sectors EPLAN is focusing on is the energy sector. In the wake of the upheavals being triggered by climate change, this industry is facing huge challenges that must be mastered. Kreuzer continues: “We will provide companies in the energy sector with the best possible support on this path with our software solutions, training and consulting services, regardless of whether they are the power user from an installer or occasional users from an operator or a maintenance company.”
Netz Burgenland Director of Power Grid Technology Manfred Herowitsch, MBA (at left) and EPLAN’s Account Manager for Eastern Austria Erwin Kreuzer. © www.martingold.at
Netz Burgenland Director of Power Grid Technology Manfred Herowitsch, MBA (at right) speaking with EPLAN’s Account Manager for Eastern Austria Erwin Kreuzer. © www.martingold.at
The Netz Burgenland headquarters are in Eisenstadt, Austria. © www.martingold.at
