Optimization design of ground grid mesh of 69/13,8 KV substation using ETAP

This scientific document presents the analysis and optimization of the mesh of the grounding system of a 69 / 13.8 kV substation in Ecuador. The mesh is made up of horizontal and vertical conductors connected with vertical electrodes buried under the ground of the substation. The function of the structure is to effectively dissipate the high short-circuit currents generated in the system. The objective is to determine the safety parameters of the ground mesh by comparing the mesh design analysis using the IEEE method and the Finite Element Analysis (FEM) method. These two methods are used differently to determine the electrical parameters of the ground mesh, the step voltage and touch voltage, the number of horizontal conductors, the number of vertical conductors, the number of electrodes, and the earth resistance of the Substation. ETAP 16.0 software is used for analysis. First, the maximum short-circuit current of the substation of 69 / 13.8 kV is determined. Second, the analysis is performed to determine the input and output parameters of the ground mesh structure using the IEEE and FEM methods. It ends with the results of the optimization of each of the specific methods, making a comparison of the two methods used and giving a recommendation regarding the best method for the design of the ground mesh.