Electrical Power Engineering FAQs

POI interconnection engineering covers the full technical path from project concept to energization at the Point of Interconnection. Keentel typically supports: feasibility review, utility/ISO technical coordination, POI substation concept and detailed design, protection and control philosophy, grounding, equipment specifications, study support (load flow, short-circuit, coordination, harmonics/power quality), construction drawing packages, commissioning support, and utility acceptance documentation. The goal is to ensure the facility can interconnect safely, meet grid code requirements, and pass utility witness testing without redesign.

Delays often come from missing data, unrealistic assumptions, or design and study misalignment. Keentel reduces rework by validating key inputs early such as equipment ratings, transformer impedance, inverter or turbine controls, and grounding parameters. We align the protection philosophy with utility expectations and confirm that study assumptions match the actual design. We also help clients respond to ISO and utility comments quickly with technically defensible revisions.

Common risks include insufficient short-circuit strength in weak grids, reactive power and voltage control gaps, harmonic or flicker violations, miscoordinated protection settings, transformer energization impacts, telecom and SCADA integration issues, and grounding noncompliance. Keentel addresses these through targeted studies, design improvements, and coordinated protection and control schemes.

Deliverables often include the POI single line diagram, general arrangement and layout drawings, grounding plans, conduit and cable schedules, AC/DC station service design, protection and control schematics, relay I/O and logic diagrams, metering schematics, telecom and SCADA architecture, equipment specifications, and commissioning test procedures. Keentel packages these in a utility-ready format and supports all technical submittals.

Keentel starts with a protection philosophy aligned with system configuration and utility practices, including line protection, bus protection, transformer protection, breaker failure, transfer trip, synch-check, and interlocking schemes. We then perform coordination studies, confirm CT and PT sizing, validate relay settings, and ensure schemes integrate correctly with SCADA and metering systems. The result is a reliable, selective protection system that avoids nuisance trips while meeting interconnection requirements.

Keentel supports commissioning by creating test plans, reviewing FAT and SAT procedures, verifying relay settings files, checking point-to-point wiring, validating SCADA signals, and supporting utility witness tests. We also help confirm energization sequence steps such as transformer energization, breaker close interlocks, and telecom readiness, and assist in closing out punch lists.

Depending on ISO or utility preference and study type, Keentel uses tools such as ETAP for short-circuit, coordination, arc flash, and harmonics; PSSE for transmission planning and dynamics; PSCAD for EMT and transient analysis; and other industry-standard platforms. The selected toolchain is always matched to the project’s specific requirements and acceptance criteria.

Keentel provides engineering that is interconnection-driven. We combine substation design, protection and control, and study expertise under one integrated team. This approach reduces coordination gaps and ensures the design, relay settings, and study assumptions remain consistent—improving approval speed, reducing field changes, and increasing the likelihood of a smooth energization.

Keentel designs AIS and GIS substations across MV, HV, and EHV levels, including POI substations, collector substations, switching stations, distribution substations, and retrofit or expansion projects. We support indoor and outdoor configurations and adapt designs to site constraints, environmental conditions, and utility standards.

A complete package typically includes: basis of design, one-lines and three-lines, equipment layouts, grounding design, lightning protection, control house layouts, conduit and cable schedules, AC/DC auxiliary systems, protection and control drawings, communications and SCADA integration, bill of materials, and construction specifications. Keentel can also support procurement by producing equipment specifications and technical bid evaluations.

Safety is built in through grounding grid compliance for step and touch potentials, arc-flash considerations, equipment spacing and working clearances, lockout and tagout-friendly layouts, interlocking and switching procedures, and adherence to IEEE, NEC, NESC, and utility standards. We also emphasize maintainability and safe access routes to reduce operational hazards.

In high-resistivity soils, Keentel performs detailed soil testing reviews and grounding analysis to meet step-and-touch safety limits. We evaluate options such as deeper ground rods, ground enhancement materials, additional grid conductors, counterpoise conductors, or segmented grounding designs. The final grounding system is optimized for compliance, constructability, and long-term performance.

AIS is typically lower cost but requires more land and clearances. GIS is compact and ideal for urban or space-limited sites, but it has different maintenance practices and transient considerations such as VFTO. Keentel evaluates footprint, environmental exposure, reliability targets, outage constraints, lifecycle cost, and utility preferences to recommend the best-fit solution.

Yes. For brownfield retrofits, we plan phasing carefully using temporary bypass arrangements, cutover sequencing, staged commissioning, and protection coordination updates. We design to keep critical loads online and minimize outage duration while maintaining safety and compliance.

Yes. Keentel provides full protection and control services including relay selection, one-lines, schematics, wiring diagrams, AC/DC design, relay logic, communications architecture, metering integration, and coordination studies. This integrated approach prevents the common disconnect between physical design and protection performance.

Risks include scope creep, equipment lead times, layout clashes, grounding compliance issues, and late utility comments. Keentel mitigates these through early standards alignment, constructability reviews, coordinated 3D and 2D layouts, clear specifications, and disciplined change management with owners and EPC teams.

Keentel performs load flow, contingency, short-circuit and duty analysis, protection coordination, arc-flash, harmonic and power quality studies, motor starting, voltage drop, transient stability where applicable, and grounding studies. We tailor the study set to the system voltage class (EHV, HV, or MV), facility type, and specific regulatory and utility requirements.

Short-circuit studies confirm equipment interrupting ratings and momentary withstand capabilities. They also define protective device settings, ensure breaker duty compliance, and reduce the risk of catastrophic equipment failure. These studies are often required for utility approval and safe long-term operation.

Coordination studies ensure protective devices operate selectively and quickly for electrical faults. Arc-flash studies estimate incident energy exposure and define PPE boundaries and equipment labeling requirements. Because coordination directly impacts arc-flash results, Keentel typically performs these as an integrated workflow to balance safety and system selectivity.

We model harmonic sources such as inverters, variable frequency drives, and large rectifiers, calculate distortion levels at key buses, and verify compliance with applicable limits, often IEEE 519 or specific utility requirements. If mitigation is required, we evaluate filter options, transformer configurations, and system impedance changes to develop a practical solution.

Yes. Weak grid conditions affect voltage stability, fault response, and protection performance. Keentel evaluates short-circuit ratio, reactive power margin, voltage regulation, and control interactions to recommend mitigation such as STATCOMs, synchronous condensers, or tuned control strategies to ensure stable and compliant operation.

Typically required information includes one-line diagrams, equipment ratings, transformer impedances and tap settings, cable and conductor data, protective device details, load profiles, generator or inverter parameters, and utility source equivalents. Keentel can also work with partial data early in a project and refine models as detailed design progresses.

Keentel documents assumptions, model sources, and validation checks throughout the analysis process. We provide clear base case descriptions, sensitivity runs, and traceable references to equipment data sheets. Deliverables are formatted to match common utility and ISO expectations to reduce review cycles and approval delays.

We translate study results into specific design actions such as breaker upgrades, relay setting updates, CT and PT changes, cable sizing adjustments, reactive compensation sizing, filter selection, or layout modifications. The true value is not just the report itself, but the practical engineering decisions supported by detailed analysis.