SUBSTATIONS
Substations essentially comprise one or more transformers and associated equipment which transforms voltage from one level to another in the same way that a step down transformer is used in the home. Substations are necessary because transporting electricity at higher voltages is more efficient. Less electricity is lost in the process (termed 'system losses').
First of all the voltage is raised at a substation, in order to efficiently transmit electricity in bulk to load centres, where other substations step the voltage back down in order to supply customers. At LUCELEC electricity is transmitted between the substations at 66,000 volts (66kV).
LUCELEC has seven substations. These are located at Cul-De-Sac, Castries, Union, Reduit, Praslin, Vieux Fort, and Soufriere. The substation at Cul-de-Sac is located adjacent to the generating stations and steps voltage up from 11,000 volts (11kV) to 66 kV for transmission to the other six. The substations step the voltage down to 11kV and other transformers along the distribution system step the voltage down further to 415 or 220 volts for distribution to customers.
The six step-down substations are strategically located based on the demographics and the demand for electricity. To improve reliability every substation is supplied via two sets of three-phase 66 kV lines. In that way if there is a problem in one set of lines, the substation can be supplied via the other set.
The output capacities and some of the main communities fed by the respective substations are as follows:
CUL DE SAC SUBSTATION
Comprises five transformers with a total capacity of 142.5 Mega Volt Amps (MVA) and has a peak demand of 57 MVA. In addition to supplying the other six substations, it supplies Morne Fortune, Hospital Road, Ciceron, Canaries, and Thomazo.
REDUIT SUBSTATION
Comprises two 15 MVA transformers, has a peak demand of 5.4 MVA and supplies Gros Islet, Cap Estate, Bonne Terre, Pigeon Island, Club St. Lucia, and Rodney Bay.
UNION SUBSTATION
Comprises two 15 MVA transformers, has a peak demand of 5.9 MVA and supplies Corinth, Ti Rocher, Union, Marisule, and Vide Boutielle.
CASTRIES SUB-STATION
Comprises two 15 MVA transformers and has a peak demand of 6.1 MVA. It supplies the Castries Basin.
SOUFRIERE SUB-STATION
Comprises one 6.5 MVA transformer, has a peak demand of 3.2 MVA and supplies Fond Cacao, Fond St. Jacques and Soufriere.
VIEUX FORT SUB-STATION
Comprises two 15 MVA transformers, has a peak demand of 4.4 MVA and supplies Choiseul, Pierrot, Vieux Fort, and Augier.
PRASLIN SUBSTATION
Comprises one 6.5 MVA transformer, has a peak demand of 2.5 MVA and supplies Micoud and Dennery.