A 500kV AIS Switchyard Renewal In Ontario, Canada, using 500/800kV Hybrid GIS

Bruce B Switching Station (SS) is a major Northeast Power Coordinating Council (NPCC) station located in southern Ontario that connects the Bruce B Nuclear Generation Station to the 500 kV transmission network. Bruce Power complex is one of the largest nuclear power plants in the world. The existing ten 500 kV Air-Blast Circuit Breakers (ABCBs) and the associated facilities at Bruce B SS are at end-of-life (EOL). The paper outlined two available options: Air Insulated Switchgear (AIS) replacement and Gas Insulated Switchgear (GIS) replacement, also detailed decision process of choosing GIS as the ultimate solution. Design concepts and project execution are depicted respectively. A special synchronizing capability of 500 kV breakers associated with each generating unit is also discussed in the paper.