Introduction: SPEN uses an enterprise wide Geographic Information System delivered by ESRI UK known as FGIS. This holds electrical plant and circuit data in an Arc FM database. The system is used to create and maintain electrical system models on a geographic basis. SPEN also use DIgSILENT PowerFactory for electrical network modelling and analysis. This tool enables SPEN to model and simulate electrical loading and size plant to meet given business requirements.

Currently in the SPEN area there are no robust 11kV system models and it will take considerable amount of time to generate such system models to assist in the design and analysis of the 11kV network. The project will attempt to develop an interface between ESRI and PowerFactory to enable the quick and efficient modelling of the 11kV network.

Objectives: The aim is to develop a demonstrator project to proof the concept of interfacing the ESRI system with PowerFactory hence enabling the business to quickly develop network models of the 11kV system and possibly Low Voltage (LV) system. This will provide design engineers with up to date network models that can be utilised and enhance the design process and solutions evaluation. Generating 11kV models is laborious, time consuming and prone to errors. This project will prove the concept of using GIS information to develop up to date electrical models.