Upgrading a large oil refinery electric power system

This paper describes the activities developed in Amuay Refinery of Petroleos de Venezuela, to upgrade its 182 MW electric power system, through the interconnection with an external independent power producer and major modifications in the electrical distribution system, in order to restore the system reliability, operational flexibility and equipment maintainability. Design criteria, power system analysis, power distribution installations and automation for generation, distribution and control room developed during the upgrading project are reviewed.