integration of Fault current limiters in case of generation capacity addition at a cement Plant-a case study

Energy management needs of a plant being upgraded in capacity often requires captive power generation/augmentation. This puts into focus the need to review the fault levels of the system and ensure withstand capabilities of all the electrical components. A serious situation develops if the fault levels are increasing beyond the system ratings, and the solution may demand replacement of large number of electrical switchgear equipments which is a very costly proposition. Alternately one can introduce elements such as reactors in the circuit that will reduce the fault currents but these have their own issues in terms of voltage regulation and losses. This paper addresses the applicability of electronically controlled fault current limiters in the context of a case study involving generation capacity addition at a cement plant.