From Keentel Engineering

Power System Study Case Studies

Keentel Engineering delivers advanced power system studies that solve complex grid and industrial power quality challenges. The following real-world case studies demonstrate how our expert engineers help utilities, renewable developers, and industrial operators achieve compliance, reliability, and cost-effective performance.

Each project highlights our practical engineering approach, deep technical expertise, and ability to deliver results without unnecessary equipment or project delays.

Case Study 1

Grid Interconnection & Renewable Penetration Study

Client: Confidential Renewable Developer

Region: ERCOT

Background

A large renewable developer planned multiple solar and wind projects within a constrained transmission corridor. The ISO required a comprehensive grid interconnection and renewable penetration assessment to evaluate system impacts under high renewable scenarios.

Engineering Challenges

• Increasing inverter-based resource (IBR) penetration
• Weak grid conditions and limited short-circuit strength
• Voltage stability and reactive power concerns
• ISO compliance requirements for planning approval

Keentel Engineering Solution

• Performed grid interconnection studies, including load flow, short-circuit, and stability analysis
• Conducted renewable penetration sensitivity studies under multiple dispatch scenarios
• Evaluated voltage stability and system strength impacts
• Provided mitigation recommendations, including reactive support and control tuning

Outcome

• ISO-approved interconnection study results
• Identified hosting capacity limits and mitigation paths
• Enabled phased renewable deployment with reduced risk

Solar & Wind Farm Electrical Design and System Studies

Client: Confidential IPP

Region: Southwest U.S.

Background

An independent power producer required full electrical design and system studies for a hybrid solar and wind facility, including collector systems, substation interface, and POI compliance.

Engineering Challenges

• Long MV collector circuits with voltage drop concerns
• Coordinating wind turbine and inverter controls
• Ensuring compliance with utility and ISO grid codes

Keentel Engineering Solution

• Designed MV collector systems and substation interfaces
• Performed load flow, short-circuit, and protection coordination studies
• Verified compliance with reactive power and ride-through requirements
• Supported utility and ISO technical reviews

Outcome

• Fully compliant electrical design package
• Optimized collector system sizing and losses
• Achieved on-time interconnection approval
  

Reactive Power Compensation & Capacitor Bank Optimization Study

Client: Confidential Transmission-Connected Facility

Region: MISO

Background

A grid-connected facility experienced voltage fluctuations and poor power factor under varying load conditions. The utility required a reactive power compensation study.

Engineering Challenges

• Voltage regulation across multiple operating conditions
• Avoiding overcompensation and resonance risks
• Minimizing capital and operational costs

Keentel Engineering Solution

• Conducted reactive power compensation studies
• Optimized capacitor bank sizing and placement
• Evaluated switched vs fixed compensation options
• Verified system performance under contingency conditions

Outcome

• Improved voltage profile and power factor compliance
• Reduced reactive power penalties
• Cost-effective and scalable compensation solution
  

Insulation Coordination, Lightning, TOV, and TRV Studies

Client: Confidential Utility

Region: Southeast U.S.

Background

A new high-voltage substation required insulation coordination verification to ensure equipment protection against lightning, switching surges, and temporary overvoltages.

Engineering Challenges

• High lightning density region
• Equipment insulation margin optimization
• Coordination with surge arresters and breaker ratings

Keentel Engineering Solution

• Performed insulation coordination studies
• Analyzed lightning, TOV, and TRV conditions
• Verified surge arrester placement and ratings
• Ensured compliance with IEEE and utility standards

Outcome

• Reduced insulation failure risk
• Optimized equipment BIL selection
• Enhanced substation reliability and safety
  

Fast Front, Slow Front & GIS Very Fast Transient Studies

Client: Confidential Utility

Region: Northeast U.S.

Background

A GIS-based substation required transient analysis to address very fast front overvoltages caused by switching operations and GIS disconnector actions.

Engineering Challenges

• Space-constrained GIS environment
• Risk of VFTO affecting connected equipment
• Compliance with OEM and IEEE limits

Keentel Engineering Solution

• Performed fast-front and slow-front transient studies
• Conducted GIS Very Fast Transient Overvoltage (VFTO) analysis
• Evaluated mitigation measures such as damping resistors
• Coordinated with GIS OEM specifications

Outcome

• Verified insulation and equipment protection
• Reduced VFTO exposure risks
• Ensured long-term GIS reliability
  

Transformer Inrush, POI Rapid Voltage Change (RVC) & Flicker Study

Client: Confidential Renewable Facility

Region: CAISO

Background

A renewable POI experienced concerns related to transformer energization, voltage flicker, and rapid voltage changes affecting neighboring loads.

Engineering Challenges

• Large transformer inrush currents
• POI voltage flicker sensitivity
• ISO power quality compliance requirements

Keentel Engineering Solution

• Analyzed transformer inrush current behavior
• Performed Rapid Voltage Change (RVC) studies
• Conducted flicker and power quality analysis
• Recommended controlled energization and mitigation strategies

Outcome

• ISO-accepted power quality compliance
• Reduced flicker and voltage disturbance risk
• Improved customer and grid performance
  

Power, Energy Loss & Substation Layout Optimization Study

Client: Confidential Transmission Owner

Region: WECC

Background

A transmission owner sought to reduce losses and optimize substation footprint while maintaining reliability and maintenance access.

Engineering Challenges

• High conductor and transformer losses
• Land use constraints
• Balancing efficiency with constructability

Keentel Engineering Solution

• Conducted power and energy loss studies
• Evaluated alternative conductor sizes and configurations
• Performed substation layout optimization analysis
• Coordinated with civil and structural teams

Outcome

• Reduced system losses and operating costs
• Optimized substation footprint
• Improved maintenance safety and access
  

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Effectively Grounded System & Grounding Performance Analysis

Client: Confidential Utility

Region: Multi-State

Background

A utility required verification that its system met effectively grounded criteria to ensure proper protection coordination and equipment insulation performance.

Engineering Challenges

• Mixed grounding practices across substations
• Overvoltage and protection coordination risks
• Regulatory and IEEE compliance expectations



Keentel Engineering Solution

• Performed effectively grounded system analysis
• Evaluated zero-sequence impedance ratios
• Reviewed grounding transformer and neutral grounding designs
• Provided mitigation recommendations where required

Outcome

• Verified effective grounding compliance
• Improved protection performance and equipment life
• Reduced risk of temporary overvoltage damage
  

Explore Our Core Service

For full details on Keentel Engineering’s study capabilities, visit: Power System Studies Services.

Ready to Solve Your Power System Challenges?

The projects above demonstrate how Keentel Engineering delivers practical, compliance-driven solutions for complex electrical systems. Whether you are interconnecting a renewable plant, expanding an industrial facility, or managing grid reliability, our engineers provide accurate analysis and actionable recommendations through our core Power System Studies Services.

If you need support with harmonic analysis, load flow modeling, or protection coordination, we’re here to help.

Request a Proposal or Schedule a Consultation.

Related Technical Articles & Resources

For deeper technical insights into power system studies, harmonic analysis, and grid compliance, explore these expert resources from Keentel Engineering:

About the Author:

Sonny Patel P.E. EC

IEEE Senior Member

In 1995, Sandip (Sonny) R. Patel earned his Electrical Engineering degree from the University of Illinois, specializing in Electrical Engineering . But degrees don’t build legacies—action does. For three decades, he’s been shaping the future of engineering, not just as a licensed Professional Engineer across multiple states (Florida, California, New York, West Virginia, and Minnesota), but as a doer. A builder. A leader. Not just an engineer. A Licensed Electrical Contractor in Florida with an Unlimited EC license. Not just an executive. The founder and CEO of KEENTEL LLC—where expertise meets execution. Three decades. Multiple states. Endless impact.

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About the Author:

Sonny Patel P.E. EC

IEEE Senior Member

In 1995, Sandip (Sonny) R. Patel earned his Electrical Engineering degree from the University of Illinois, specializing in Electrical Engineering . But degrees don’t build legacies—action does. For three decades, he’s been shaping the future of engineering, not just as a licensed Professional Engineer across multiple states (Florida, California, New York, West Virginia, and Minnesota), but as a doer. A builder. A leader. Not just an engineer. A Licensed Electrical Contractor in Florida with an Unlimited EC license. Not just an executive. The founder and CEO of KEENTEL LLC—where expertise meets execution. Three decades. Multiple states. Endless impact.