S

Comparison of
GIS and AIS
systems for urban
supply networks

20 kV, so that four different HV/MV networks are evaluated. The comparison is
based on the life-cycle costs of the different supply concepts.

Design of the AIS/GIS network

variants

High-voltage network
The best locations for the HV injections
into the distribution network depend to a

Studies carried out by ABB show that for urban supply networks the com-

large extent on the technology (AIS or GIS)

bination of HV gas-insulated switchgear (GIS) and HV cable has important

chosen for the HV system. Sites which are

advantages over systems with air-insulated switchgear (AIS) and overhead

large enough for AIS substations are sel-

lines. Due to their compactness and flexibility, GIS substations can be lo-

dom available, and when they are their

cated close to load centers, allowing a much more efficient configuration

cost is extremely high. But it is not just the

for both the HV system and the MV distribution network. The saving in in-

smaller size of the site that makes GIS the

vestment and operating costs more than compensates for the higher cost

lower-cost option: GIS is also the more

of the GIS and cables. Benefits include higher reliability and the option of

economic alternative when expanding or

integrating a complete GIS substation in an existing building, eg when

replacing existing substations. An inner-

extra site area is not available.

city site that has been used previously for

an AIS installation can be sold or rented

esides the vital role they play in mod-

parison does not take into account the

the new substation. The compactness of

ern market economies, electricity supply

fact that by locating a GIS transformer

GIS enables an HV transformer substation

systems also have a large impact on the

substation close to the load centers a far

to be fully integrated in an existing build-

environment, making them subject to

more efficient network structure is ob-

ing, which may only have to be made

changes in social paradigms. It is in part

tained at both the HV and the MV distribu-

higher or have a basement added.

due to this that the medium-voltage sys-

tion level. As a result, the investment and

tems supplying power to urban areas are

operating costs are reduced.

out and the income used to help finance

The issue of space extends beyond the

transformer substations to the high-volt-

designed today almost entirely as cable

To quantify the respective impact of AIS

age connections. Overhead lines are

networks with indoor switching stations.

and GIS technology at the HV and the MV

today practically no-go as an option for

Besides its reduced visual intrusion on

levels of an urban supply system, a look is

inner-city areas. And even where rights-of-

everyday life, gas-insulated switchgear

taken in the following at an existing net-

way are available, these can often be util-

(GIS) also offers operators of high-voltage

work with a maximum load of 120 MW.

ized more economically in other ways.

supply systems reliable and flexible so-

The MV network is optimized for each of

Typical complaints about overhead lines

lutions in areas where load densities are

the HV variants (GIS and AIS), in each case

are that they are unsightly and generate

high and substation sites have to be kept

for distribution voltages of 10 kV and

electromagnetic fields, the effects of which

small. Urban supply systems combining

are subject to constant and intensive pub-

GIS technology and HV cable are safe, re-

lic debate.
Modern-day HV cable not only offers a

liable and environmentally benign 1 .

A direct comparison of the component
investment for identical switchgear con-

Werner Zimmermann
Andr Osterholt

high level of reliability but also some technical benefits for overhead line connec-

figurations suggests that the GIS variant is

Dr. Jrgen Backes

tions. Given these advantages, there is

more costly than the air-insulated switch-

ABB Calor Emag Schaltanlagen AG

today no realistic alternative to HV cables

gear (AIS) solution. However, such a com-

for electric supplies in urban areas.

ABB Review 2/1999

19

Use of ABB gas-insulated switchgear allowed the 132-kV transformer substation Barbaa in the center
of Orense, Spain, to be constructed underground and a park built over it which harmonizes with the surroundings.
The sound of the waterfall, which acts as a heat-exchanger, hides the noise made by the fans.

GIS
The GIS variant 2 considered in the study
4.5 km

consists of three HV transformer sub2.7 km

stations located in the center of a city. The

connection to the surrounding 110-kV network is provided by three cables run from

TS1

the nearest HV substation to the main

substation of the urban HV network. This
main substation is configured as a double

63 MVA

busbar system, allowing maintenance to

be carried out on one busbar without having to de-energize the complete station.

3.7 km

The remaining substations in the HV cable

TS2

TS3

ring, which are also located in the city

center, are H-type transformer substations
with a bus-tie. They also allow maintenance and repairs within the gas compart33.1 MVA
4.1 km

27.8 MVA
GIS variant of the 110-kV
network
TS1, 2, 3 Transformer substations
1, 2, 3

20

ABB Review 2/1999

ment on one half of the busbar while the

3 km

other half remains in operation.

4.2 km
AIS
In the AIS variant 3 there is an overhead
line loop around the supply region, the

TS1

right half of which consists of double lines

(due to the load flows). As in the GIS vari-

30.3 MVA

ant, the main HV substation consists of a

double busbar system, the remaining HV
transformer substations having H-type
configurations. Transformer substation

5.6 km
1.6 km
TS2

TS2 has a double-T connection to the

SS1

double overhead line, substation TS3

SS2

1 km

2 km

being looped into the single line on the

TS3

left-hand side. Due to the larger space

required, the transformer substations are

1 km

located in the less densely populated

outer regions of the city.
33.2 MVA

Double lines connect the outer ring to

28.1 MVA

the transformer substations, ie there are

TS4

two circuits on the same poles. This solution allows efficient utilization of the available space. However, it also reduces the
reliability of the HV supply as both circuits
can trip for the same reason (common

35 MVA

8.6 km

11.6 km

mode failure, eg due to back-flashover

from the earth wire to both circuits caused
by lightning striking the earth wire or con-

AIS variant of the 110-kV network

tact with trees).

TS1, 2, 3, 4
SS1 ,2

Transformer substations 1, 2, 3
Satellite stations 1, 2

Medium-voltage network
A comparison of the GIS and the AIS vari-

ants based only on the differences in the

siderably influence operation of the net-

HV network is too limited, since the lo-

work. Each utility therefore has its own

Use of standard components:

XLPE MV cables with an Al cross-

cations of the HV transformer substations

planning rules, according to which the net-

section of 150 mm2 (distribution

are of decisive importance and exert a

work configuration is adapted to custom-

cables) and 240 mm2 (transmission

large influence on the structure of the MV

ers requirements and to the geographic

cables)

network. The study therefore takes the

locations of the MV loads.

110-kV/MV transformers with a

rated power of 31.5/40 MVA

load situation in an actual urban network,

including the load values and the geo-

Planning rules

graphical location of the MV transformer

The technical constraints for each network

network. The distribution cables start

substations, as its starting point 4 .

variant are the allowed voltage band and

from the MV busbar of the HV/MV

Radial operation of an MV network

the limits for the short-circuit power, which

transformer substations, run between

results in a large number of possible net-

are dictated by the rating of the switch-

customers substations and are looped

work concepts. Besides differing in terms

gear. There are also some design rules to

back to the MV busbar of the same HV

of their initial capital costs, they also con-

be formulated:

transformer substation. During normal

Open-loop topology for the distribution

ABB Review 2/1999

21

operation one of the cables in this ring

substation) does not load any cable be-

required power transmission capability of

remains open to provide simple pro-

yond 120 % of its capacity. The maxi-

the MV network, allowing an additional

tection.

transformer

mum load of 5.2 MVA per cable at 10

saving due to the smaller MV cable cross-

substation has its own back-up trans-

kV (10.2 MVA at 20 kV) at the beginning

sections required. And thirdly, trans-

former, allowing maintenance to be

of the planning period takes into ac-

mission losses are avoided. The reduction

carried out on a transformer without

count the reduced ampacity for cables

in operating costs due to this third advan-

having to operate switches in the MV

bundled in the same cable trench close

tage is especially evident at low distribu-

network.

to the transformer as well as a margin

tion voltages.

Maximum of 14 customer substations

for load growth during the planning

in a loop. This limits the number of cus-

period.

Each

HV/MV

in the results obtained with the described

network solutions. The MV network receiv-

tomers whose power supply would be

These general effects are also reflected

interrupted in the event of an MV net-

Planning results

ing power from the GIS substations con-

work failure, as only the feeder con-

The inherent flexibility of GIS allows

sists of radially operated (open) loops, all

nected to the HV/MV station busbar is

planners to place the injection points

of which are fed from the MV busbars of

equipped with overcurrent protection

close to the load centers 5 . The first

the HV substations.

and a circuit-breaker.

effect of this is on the number of loads

The peripheral locations of the trans-

Normal loading of the feeder cables, so

considered an optimum for each HV sub-

former substations in the AIS variant make

that a worst-case cable failure (feeder

station, and thus on its installed trans-

additional satellite stations necessary 6 .

failure close to the HV/MV transformer

former capacity. Secondly, it reduces the

These have remote MV busbars, fed by

the HV transformer substations via several
parallel and selectively protected trans-

Distribution and load rating of MV transformer substations taken

as a starting point for the GIS/AIS system comparison

mission cables. Their reliability is comparable with the reliability of the MV busbar of the HV transformer substations, but

6.2 MW

1.9 MW

0.4 MW

they call for extra capital investment and

0.2 MW

cause additional losses. The AIS variant

with a voltage of 10 kV requires 6 parallel
1.4 MW

2.7 MW

10 MW

11.3 MW

7.4 MW

3.1 MW

0.9 MW

cables from the HV injection to the satellite station, the 20-kV variant requiring 4
cables. These satellite busbars, like the

5.5 MW

4.9 MW

11.3 MW

19.7 MW

7.1 MW

6.7 MW

4.5 MW

MV busbars of the HV substations, supply

power to the MV substations via open
loops.

1.3 MW

3.6 MW

4.2 MW

7.4 MW

3.9 MW

8.4 MW

1.5 MW

GIS/AIS cost comparison

1.7 MW

7.7 MW

6.1 MW

2.3 MW

1.1 MW

7 and 8 compare the respective cost of

the AIS and the GIS variant (the figures for

the different components and external ser1.5 MW

2.9 MW

1.8 MW

3.5 MW

0.3 MW

vices apply to the German market). An interest rate of 8 % and an inflation of 3 %

were assumed for the calculation of the

0.5 MW

0.9 MW

0.8 MW

0.5 MW

cash values. A load growth of 1.5 % per

year (linear) was set and the cash value
calculated for a planning horizon of 10

1.0 km

years. It should be noted that planning

times of 20 years and more, which have

22

ABB Review 2/1999

TS1

TS2

TS1
TS2

TS4
TS3
TS3

Topology of the GIS variant with injection points

close to the load centers (distribution voltage 20 kV)
TS1, 2, 3

Topology of the AIS variant with peripheral

transformer substations and additional satellite
stations (distribution voltage 20 kV)

Transformer substations 1, 2, 3
TS1, 2, 3, 4

Transformer substations 1, 2, 3, 4

often been used in the past to evaluate dif-

transformers results from the different

operation, so that only a single additional

ferent variants, are not realistic in todays

number of transformers in the two vari-

unit is necessary for back-up. The AIS

rapidly changing market environment.

ants. In the case of GIS, two transformers

variant requires a dedicated back-up unit

are required at substation TS1 for normal

for the transformer in each HV substation.

The first cost to be considered in the

comparison is that of the HV switchgear
installations. This is significantly higher for
the GIS than for the AIS solution. However,
the difference in system costs is smaller
than the difference in component (eg,

Comparison of the cost of the GIS and AIS variants (cash value over
a period of 10 years)
CVrel

Relative cash value

switchbay) costs. This is because the inherent flexibility of the GIS/cable topology

45

allows the HV network to be configured

AIS ( 20kV )

more efficiently, leading to a smaller

35

AIS ( 10kV )

number of HV substations (3 for GIS, 4 for

30

GIS ( 20kV )

AIS) and also switchbays per HV trans-

25

GIS ( 10kV )

former substation.

20
15

Interruption
costs

Maintenance /
repairs

the case of GIS.

Losses

equipment and civil works are higher in

Land /
construction

lines with AIS, the capital cost of the

I&C

0
Cables
MV

shorter than the length of the overhead

Switchgear
MV

the cable length in the GIS variant is much

Transformers
110 kV

10

Lines / cables
110 kV

nections shows a similar picture. Although

CV rel

Switchgear
110 kV

A look at the cost of the 110-kV con-

The difference in the cost of the 110-kV

ABB Review 2/1999

23

GIS. It is costs such as these that under100

%
90

score how much the results depend on the

basic assumptions of the comparison, eg
the interest rate and the planning horizon.

80

As regards the losses, the short planning

70

horizon chosen for this comparison results

60

in the saving due to GIS being underesti-

50

mated.
When state-of-the-art AIS and GIS

CV rel 40

components are used, the cost of their

30

maintenance and inspection will be a mini-

20

mum. As the comparison shows, the

maintenance costs have no impact on the

10

variant ranking. The GIS variant exhibits

0
AIS ( 20kV )

AIS ( 10kV )

GIS ( 20kV )

the lower costs as it needs fewer inspec-

GIS ( 10kV )

tions per switchbay (GIS once every

8

Comparison of life-cycle costs with GIS and AIS

(cash value over a period of 10 years)

8 years, AIS once every 5 years), of which

it also has fewer.
The final factor in the comparison is the

CVrel Relative cash value

cost of supply interruptions, ie the costs at

110-kV switchgear

MV switchgear

Land/construction

110-kV lines/cables

MV cables

Losses

110-kV transformers

I&C

Maintenance/repairs

the load end resulting from interrupted

service. Although it is the customer who
foots the bill, these costs enable the nonreliability of the network to be defined in
monetary terms.
Significant differences also exist be-

Another factor that speaks for the GIS

variant is the cost of the MV switchgear in-

tion, control and instrumentation) for the

tween the 10-kV and the 20-kV MV supply.

GIS variant.

A 20-kV network can, roughly speaking,

stallations. The difference here is due to

In addition, the cost of the land, foun-

transfer twice as much power as a 10-kV

the additional switchgear panels needed

dations and buildings is lower for the GIS

network over the same cable cross-

for the satellite stations in the AIS con-

variant. This is due to the smaller space

section. This either reduces the invest-

figuration.

required, which can even compensate for

ment in primary equipment (due to the

The cost of the MV cables is extraordi-

the higher cost of land in the inner city.

smaller number of MV cables) or leads to

narily high for both variants (about 40 % of

Also, the GIS substation can be integrated

lower losses for the same cable cross-

the life-cycle costs/cash value). Their

in the basement of an existing building,

section.

absolute value as well as the difference

thus providing the required space without

This effect is relativized in actual

between AIS/GIS shows how important it

having to add to the footprint. Since this

planning. The maximum number of MV

is to compare complete supply concepts

solution is still unusual in Germany, it has

substations supplied by the same cable in

rather than just the HV substations if

not been considered in the comparison. In

high load density areas is limited not only

results are to be reliable and realistic: HV

South-East Asia and other regions, util-

by the ampacity of the feeder cables but

injection close to the load centers reduces

ities often take advantage of this option in

also by the need to keep the number of

the MV network costs significantly.

order to install HV stations in highly popu-

customers affected by a single failure as

lated load centers.

low as possible. Another constraint is due

The smaller number of HV substations,

the absence of remotely controlled MV

The difference in the cash value of the

to the open-loop topology: the MV sub-

satellite stations and the reduced number

losses quantifies the additional trans-

stations must be assigned to two half-

of HV connections also reduce the cost of

mission loads in the MV network. A saving

loops, each of which starts at the HV

the secondary equipment (ie, for protec-

of approximately 25 % is possible with

substation busbar and is linked to the

24

ABB Review 2/1999

other via a disconnect point in the net0.035

work.
The cost comparison of the GIS and

GIS

0.030

the AIS variant in the case of the 20-kV

network shows reduced differences in

AIS

0.025

losses and in the investment in MV cable.

0.020

However, the costs are still significantly

(approx 4 %) higher for the AIS variant.

0.015

The direct comparison of the 20-kV

and 10-kV variants for similar HV tech-

0.010
IF

nologies shows an advantage for the

0.005

20-kV solution. This result is plausible

and in line with actual planning experience.

TS1

SS1

TS2

SS2

TS3

TS4

Interruption frequencies (IF) at the MV busbars of the HV substation

Reliability
of the AIS/GIS variants

TS1, 2, 3, 4
SS1, 2

Transformer substations 1, 2, 3, 4
Satellite stations 1, 2

A reliable electric supply is especially important in urban networks where load densities are high and users are sensitive to

of cables. Overhead lines exhibit high

cables. The high value for the outage rate

interruptions. The outage and reclosure

outage rates but short outage times. To

is a pessimistic estimate in which the ma-

behaviour is an area in which there is

keep overhead line systems compact,

jority of the faults are assumed to be

a fundamental difference between the

parallel circuits are run on the same

caused by external cable damage. A relia-

GIS/cable and the AIS/overhead line sol-

pylons. As mentioned before, a single

bility calculation was performed to quantify

utions, at least as far as the main power

event can therefore lead to common mode

the differences between the 10-kV vari-

users are concerned.

failures in which several circuits are

ants of the AIS/GIS concepts. The calcu-

110-kV cable faults are rare, being due

tripped. This aspect is important and has

lation simulates relevant component failure

in most cases to accidental damage dur-

to be considered in every reliability com-

modes and evaluates and quantifies the

ing construction work. Since HV cables

parison.

consequences for the customers. The

are buried deeper than MV cables, the

Table 1 shows the values used in the

latter, which are laid above them, give

reliability calculations for the HV lines/

component behaviour is derived from statistics about failures in the past.

them a certain degree of protection. If the

HV cable itself is not sufficiently robust (eg,
protected by a surrounding steel tube, as
in the case of pipeline compression cable)

Table 1:
Reliability data for cables and overhead lines (110 kV)

concrete ducts can be used to provide the

Outage1) rate per
year and 100 km

necessary shielding. This minimizes the

Repair duration
(h)

failure rate even in supply regions in which

large-scale construction work is carried
out.
Besides their cost, the main drawback
of HV cables is the long time needed for
their repair, as HV cables are typically

Overhead
HV line
(1 circuit)

short

0.21

long

0.04

20.5

Overhead HV line
(common mode)

0.15

2.7

HV cables

0.35
0.35

3.4
298

spliced by the suppliers staff.

short
long

The characteristic behaviour of over1)

head lines is somewhat different to that

Independent, stochastic outages

ABB Review 2/1999

25

Conclusions
140

Although the GIS solution appears initially

GIS

120

to be the more costly, its flexibility allows

AIS

the HV transformer substations to be sited

100

in optimum locations. The number of injections from the HV system can be opti-

80

mized and the transmission load of the MV

network reduced. This leads to a signifi-

60

cant saving in investment as well as oper40

ating costs which more than compensates

for the additional cost of the GIS and HV

20

cables.

Another advantage of the GIS/cable

0.02 0.04 0.06 0.08

0.1

0.12 0.14 0.16 0.18

0.2

0.22 0.24

combination is that it offers better reliabil-

IF

ity than the AIS/overhead line solution.

Interruption frequency distribution, as experienced by customers

10

Major customers linked to the HV substation via parallel MV cables also

n Number of MV nodes
IF Range of interruption frequencies (per year, upper value)

experience this in everyday operation.

And being inherent advantages of the
GIS/cable variant, these benefits cost the

The results of the calculation are shown

multiple cable failure will affect the satellite

in 9 . It is evident that the interruption

supply as long as the protection devices

rates are much lower for the GIS/cable

work correctly.

network operator nothing.

GIS technology also offers further
benefits which are harder to quantify but

variant, although high failure rates for the

As shown in 10 , there are no significant

which can be decisive for the realization of

HV cables have been assumed. The effect

differences between the AIS and the GIS

a project. One example is the option of

on the reliability is felt at the MV busbars

variant within the MV network.

complete integration of a GIS substation in

of the HV transformer.

The reason lies in the radial operation of

an existing building when no extra site

The values for GIS are of the order of

the MV loops. Every fault leads to the at-

area is available. Summing up, GIS is a

0.01 per year, ie one interruption every 100

tached feeder tripping and interrupting the

cost-efficient, flexible and reliable solution

years. The interruption frequencies for the

supply to all customers in the same half-

for supply systems in regions with high

AIS substations TS1 and TS4 are of the

loop. This interruption of service is usually

load densities.

same magnitude, but TS3 and especially

ended by (manual or remotely controlled)

TS2 are more frequently affected (by a fac-

switching. The large number of events in

tor of 3 to 4). The reason is the loop-in via

the MV network compared with those in

a double overhead line, which has been

the 110-kV system dictates the inter-

assumed in both cases, and in addition for

ruption behaviour and ensures com-

Authors

TS2 the double-T connection to the sur-

parative reliability at all customer nodes.

Werner Zimmermann

rounding ring (also a double overhead

This effect is underscored by the com-

Andr Osterholt

line).

parable interruption costs for AIS and GIS

Dr. Jrgen Backes

The values for the satellite stations re-

7.

ABB Calor Emag Schaltanlagen AG

ceiving power from TS1 and TS2 are the

In cases where a special-tariff custom-

same as for the MV busbars of the HV

er is connected to the HV transformer sub-

D-68167 Mannheim

transformer substations. This is plausible

station via parallel cables, the reliability of

Germany

because of the selective protection pro-

the HV substation is passed on to the cus-

E-mail:

vided for the parallel transmission cables

tomer, who also benefits in this way from

werner.zimmermann@deace.mail.abb.de

between the transformer substations and

the GIS solution.

andre.osterholt@deace.mail.abb.de

the satellite stations; neither a single nor

26

ABB Review 2/1999

Kfertaler Str. 250

juergen.backes@deace.mail.abb.de