(NOMINATION FOR 2014 AUREA AWARD): Elnos BL - Factory for producing compact prefabricated concrete SF6 substations Biosco CS

In November 2013, Belgrade-based Elnos BL opened a plant for the production of compact prefabricated concrete substations in Batajnica, one of a kind in the region.

Biosco CS, with a capacity of 1000 kVA, is a new product which develops secondary energy distribution and which is a part of the smart network operating in line with the Schneider Electric license. Compared to the existing substations, Biosco CS takes up a small space (2.8m x 2.38 m x 1.68 m), it is simple and easy to assemble. Substations come into field completely prefabricated, examined and ready for installation and all the works on installation and putting it into operation are finished in a day.

With small dimensions and environment-friendly feature, safe access to certain parts of equipment and operating simplicity is enabled. Substation is automatized, distance-controlled and is manipulated externally.

This standardized, tested product enables simple, optimal and safe network usage while managing system provides a stable network and a balance between consumption and production.

With the company opening, 40 people were employed and in 2014 they are planning to expand production and create new jobs.

Since the production start in November 2013, 50 substations were delivered to the Electric Power Industry of Serbia and the company has been negotiating their placement in Slovakia, Bulgaria and Romania.

INNOVATION

Prefabricated distribution, remotely-run substation Biosco CS is a new product which develops secondary electricity distribution and operates in line with the license of Schneider Electric while Belgrade-based Elnos BL is the only licensed partner for the ex-Yu region, a part of Bulgaria and Romania.

Biosco CS substations are for urban areas and compared to the existing substations, they take up less space and easily fit into environment. Their dimensions are 2.8m x 2.38 m x 1.68 m and its housing is made of reinforced and vibrated concrete. Substations are installed in a semi-sunken position at a depth of 0.74m, while the height above the ground level after the installation is 1.66 m.

Production is compliant with the IEC standard 62271-202.

Biosco CS is a match for concrete substations whose installation took 4-6 days, while the installation of new substations produced by Elnos BL takes only 6 to 8 hours, which is one of its biggest advantages over the competition.

Before the substation is delivered, an access to a heavy vehicle must be provided on site. Substations are delivered by crane and they come to site completely prefabricated, examined and ready for installation. Thus, in a day, all the works on installation and putting it into operation are finished and the only connections done after delivery are connections to mid and low voltage grids and ground connection.

Substations weigh between 10 and 12 tons, they are automated, remotely-run with external manipulation.

Installation of metal-framed mid-voltage facility (Ring Main Unit) with SF6 gas of Biosco CS is completely safe and decreased, dimensions of the construction facility decreased (can be installed in thick-populated residential areas), there is no danger from touching the conductor under voltage and influence of height above sea is excluded. The access to mid and low-voltage facility, for the needs installation and maintenance, is on the outside, at open front, folding door, an access to energy transformer for the installation needs is via lifting up the back part of a roof while an access to the power transformer for the needs of installation is enabled from both lateral sides, at open, single door.

Biosco CS is planned for installation of a transformer with the power of up to 1 x 1000 kVA. Cooling of an energy transformer is enabled by natural air flow, with fresh air from intake grid (installed below front folding doors) and the exit of heated air through openings (blinds) at the top of the walls – below the roof, over the entire roof area. Dividing sheet metal, installed between facilities of 10 and 0.4 kV and power transformer, forming an effect of a chimney serves for efficient air flow.

SOCIAL UTILITY

Small facility dimensions, safe access to some parts of the equipment, automation, equipment layout, simplicity of operating and remote controlling are the product’s main advantages.

Due to strict requirements and efficient functioning, in Elnos BL’s Batajnica-based section, Biosco CS are produced in line with IEC standards in line with the license of the partner company, Schneider Electric. All parts, from concrete walls, mid-voltage section, a transformer and low-voltage section, comply with the needs and are tested and completely examined. They are completely environment-friendly and the additional confirmation of the quality is their wide usage in the countries of West Europe.

This standardized, standard tested product enables simple, optimal and safe network usage while managing system provides a stable network, satisfied customers and a balance between consumption and production.

The entire substation is produced in the production facility of Elnos BL in Batajnicki Drum Street and only 30% of parts for their construction are imported, while the rest is supplied by domestic equipment producers.

With the opening of the new facility, 40 workers were hired. Since the company is planning new investments, tools development and production boost in 2014, this will create additional 50 jobs.

Since substations are produced in line with the license of the French company Schneider Electric, opening of this plant is a kind of quality cooperation between the two countries and an opportunity for experts from the Electric Power Industry of Serbia as well as for wider public to acquire practical knowledge of this licensed product.

FINANCIAL POTENTIAL

Biosco CS are a part of smart network so these substations represent a solution which will become dominant in the next period compared to the existing ones. A large number of Biosco CS substations are already being installed within the EPS distribution network and, through the networks of Elnos BL and Schneider Electric, they are marketed in Serbia and Montenegro as well as all other countries in the region.

As of the plant opening in November 2013, 50 substations have been delivered from Batajnica to the Electric Power Industry of Serbia and Power Supply Company of Belgrade (Elektrodistribucija Beograd). New deliveries are underway and the Electric Power Industry of Slovenia and Romanian and Bulgarian markets have showed interest in Biosco CS.

The opening of new Batajnica-based facility enabled all works to be done at one place because a warehouse, production of Biosco CS substations, electrical assembly workshop and infrastructure for the entire engineering resources are in Batajnica.

Elnos BL has been operating in the Serbian market for 11 years. They specialize in designing and engineering electrical energy network, trading in electric energy material and equipment and the production of one part of electricity distribution and transfer equipment.

Numerous projects involving the reconstruction, modernization and construction of the regional electric energy system, of all sizes and importance, made the company one of the leading experts for facilities with a capacity of up to 400 kV. The last big project they were hired to do is the construction of wind farm in Kovin which they plan to build in cooperation with the Austrian company Porr, and the investors are Continental Wind Partners and General Electric (GE).

If the factory for producing compact prefabricated concrete SF6 substations Biosco CS is your favorite for the investment of the year, you can vote for this nomination at the official website of the Aurea Award.