GPA’s arc flash hazard analysis establishes the specific requirements to make each working environment safe.
Our thorough approach, backed by experience and engineering knowledge ensures hazards will be identified and controlled effectively.
GPA provide arc flash assessments across the mining, oil and gas, power and water industries. Servicing greenfield and brownfield projects, including oil and gas fields and facilities, underground mines, processing plants, water treatment plants and power stations/substations.
With a thorough understanding of applicable standards and the underlying theory, GPA is able to guide clients through the arc flash assessment process and assist in tailoring a specific response to any hazards that arise to maintain client priorities.
GPA’s typical approach to arc flash assessment includes:
- Data collection & consolidation including site visits
- Power system modelling and fault level determination
- Incident Energy calculations to IEEE 1584
- Risk assessment in line with NFPA 70E guidelines
- Written analysis report
- Working with the client to establish suitable arc flash responses and policies
Our Services
- High voltage and low voltage reticulation system modelling
- Network protection studies
- Arc flash incident energy calculations
- Identification of high risk scenarios
- Risk Workshops
- Labelling requirements
Case Studies
Port Bonython Liquid Terminal Arc Flash Assessment
GPA was engaged by Santos to provide arc flash assessment services for the Santos Port Bonython facility. GPA conducted a detailed site visit of the Port Bonython facility to collect data and verify the existing HV & LV network, ensuring that up-to-date information is utilised in the assessments.
As part of the project GPA provided the following services: Development of ETAP model for the Port Bonython plant, Fault level and protection optimisation studies, Detailed arc flash report including PPE recommendations, Formulated strategies for the mitigation of arc flash risk and Development of arc flash warning labels.
Hornsdale Power Station Arc Flash Assessment
The Tesla Hornsdale Power Reserve is a 150 MW (194 MWh) grid connected energy storage system located within the Hornsdale Wind Farm in the Mid North region of South Australia. It is considered the world’s first “big battery”.
GPA was engaged by Tesla to perform an arc flash study for Hornsdale Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS).
As part of the project GPA provided modelling of the BESS inverter stations in ETAP and evaluated the fault ride-through response characteristics of the BESS inverters and the impact of the same on the arc flash incident energy levels. Then provided detailed arc flash study outlining the arc flash methodology, calculated incident energy levels, arc flash hazard risk category, PPE recommendations and arc flash labels for the BESS inverter stations, as well as general recommendations for the mitigation and management of arc flash risk.
Devil Creek Onshore Gas Processing Facility
Santos engaged GPA to perform power system analysis for the Devil Creek Facility. This included analysis of HV & LV switchboards at the Devil Creek Power Station based on agreed operational scenarios with Santos.
As part of the project GPA provided the following services: Updating the ETAP model to include the latest site information, Load flow study highlighting, Short circuit study based on IEC 60909, Protection study of various switchboards to improve protection grading and selectivity, A detailed arc flash study outlining the arc flash methodology, calculated incident energy levels, arc flash hazard risk category, PPE recommendations and arc flash Labels, Optimisation of protection settings to reduce incident energy levels wherever possible, and a Load shed study involving dynamic simulation of the power system and analysis of the potential impacts.
Various Olympic Dam Substation Arc Flash Assessments (Ongoing)
The BHP Olympic Dam operation includes an extensive industrial electrical distribution network comprising of high voltage and low voltage infrastructure which form an important part of the overall BHP OD network. BHP intends to implement an effective arc flash hazard management program with the ultimate outlook to eliminate or minimise the risk of arc flash hazards throughout the operation.
GPA was engaged by BHP to provide arc flash assessment services for a number of surface substation at their Olympic Dam facility. As part of this project, an existing ETAP master model of the Olympic Dam distribution network was provided by BHP.
As part of the project GPA provided: Site visits to Olympic Dam to gather any missing information in order to update the OD ETAP master model and complete the modelling, Investigated the configuration of the Olympic Dam power distribution network, Development of arc flash methodology outlining the approach, risk assessments and arc flash label contents to be adopted, Detailed arc flash assessments reports for each substation were produced including calculated incident energy levels, arc flash hazard risk category, PPE recommendations and arc flash Labels, and General recommendations for the mitigation and management of arc flash risk.
Karadoc Winery Electrical Assets Arc Flash Assessment
GPA was engaged by Nilsen to perform an Arc Flash Study for the electrical assets at Karadoc Winery owned by TWE (Treasury Wine Estates).
As part of the project GPA provided: Gathering information required to develop an ETAP Power system model of the HV and LV network for the Karadoc site, Short circuit study based on IEC 60909, A detailed arc flash study outlining the arc flash methodology, calculated incident energy levels, arc flash hazard risk category, PPE recommendations and arc flash Labels, Optimisation of protection settings to reduce incident energy levels wherever possible and General recommendations for the mitigation and management of arc flash risk.
Prominent Hill Arc Flash Assessments
GPA was engaged by OZ Minerals to provide Arc Flash assessments for the HV and LV electrical assets installed across the Prominent Hill mine facility in order to assess and manage risk to operations and maintenance personnel.
As part of the project GPA provided: Updates to the existing Prominent Hill power system ETAP model with the latest site information, A detailed arc flash study outlining the arc flash methodology, calculated incident energy levels, arc flash hazard risk category, PPE recommendations and arc flash Labels, Optimisation of protection settings to reduce incident energy levels wherever possible, and General recommendations for the mitigation and management of arc flash risk.
Various Beach Energy Arc Flash Assessments (Ongoing)
GPA was engaged by Beach energy to complete arc flash assessments for the electrical reticulation associated with 31 oil facilities across South Australia.
For each site, GPA provided assistance in: Developing an ETAP model based on latest site data received from Beach Energy, Performing load flow and short circuit analysis, Protection coordination study to improve protection grading and selectivity, A detailed arc flash study outlining the arc flash methodology, calculated incident energy levels, arc flash hazard risk category, PPE recommendations and arc flash labels, and Completing a detailed report for each site containing calculation results, optimised protection settings and recommendations for mitigation and management of the residual arc flash risk.
SA Water Arc Flash Assessments
GPA was awarded a contract by SA Water to conduct Arc Flash hazard assessment for LV electrical assets at a number of pumping stations and water treatment plants in SA. In addition, GPA assisted in establishing their internal standards and procedures aimed at assessing, managing, and mitigating arc flash risks effectively.
As a part of this engagement, GPA conducted site visits to gather information required to develop a power system model, Developed power system model, Performed short circuit analysis and protection coordination studies, Carried out a detailed arc flash study outlining the arc flash methodology, calculated incident energy levels, arc flash hazard risk category, PPE recommendations and arc flash labels, Provided optimised protection settings to reduce arc flash incident energy and classification where possible, Completed an Arc Flash Assessment Report foreach site containing calculation results, optimised protection settings and recommendations and Development of consolidated summary of the arc flash assessment findings for each asset, along with a prioritised list of hazard mitigation measures.