What Is A Mobile Substation

Submitted by Kristian on Tue, 12/08/2020 - 03:12

Sometimes a power supply must be versatile in order to manage applications on a temporary basis. Power supplies will sometimes need to be set up on worksites or during a civil contracting agreement. Where there’s a large degree of consumption for electricity, delivering a temporary substation or mobile substation can be advantageous. 

Mobile substations are used for quick deployment and they can quickly restore electrical service during an outage or deliver the added electrical boost that is needed to complete a construction project at a remote site with heavy equipment. Mobile substations are designed to provide temporary power or as an alternate power source for regular maintenance projects. Substations are particularly useful for emergency services, new construction projects, or temporary services in the event of maintenance. 

Mobile or portable power substations are self-contained power generation solutions and on board, they have a transformer, cooling equipment, switchgear, metering, protection services, auxiliary power supply, surge protection, and likely a trailer for transportation. 

Most of the time, the portable substation is designed to roll into a job site on a trailer in a fully assembled format and then begin generating power immediately. The system is fully equipped with everything that’s needed to start producing power but it will need to be monitored and maintained. The setup time for one of these systems typically takes 4 hours.

Applications of the Swartz Mobile Substation

Swartz mobile substation is a self-contained unit that can be transported to a remote location and quickly connected to the electrical grid. Mobile substations are used in a variety of applications, including:

  • Temporary power supply for construction sites, events, and other temporary needs
  • Emergency power supply for areas affected by natural disasters or other outages
  • Providing power to remote areas that are not served by the electrical grid
  • Integrating renewable energy sources, such as solar and wind, into the electrical grid

This substations are made up of a transformer, switchgear, and other electrical equipment. The transformer converts high-voltage electricity from the grid to lower-voltage electricity that can be used by homes and businesses. The switchgear provides protection for the electrical equipment and allows the substation to be connected to the grid.


Typically, mobile substations are mounted on a container or trailer for ease of transportation. Transport is possible by rail, road or air. They can be quickly installed and commissioned, usually in just a few hours


Compared to conventional substations, mobile substations have a lot of benefits. They can be swiftly deployed to accommodate shifting needs and are more adaptable. In certain instances, they also work out cheaper than constructing a permanent substation. For utilities and businesses that need to supply dependable power in hard-to-reach or difficult-to-reach locations, mobile substations are an invaluable tool. They also provide an affordable means of incorporating renewable energy sources into the electrical system.

 

Mobile Substation

Mobile Substation Manufacturers

Mobile substations are portable power distribution systems designed to provide temporary or emergency power supply to areas where the grid is unavailable or has been damaged. They are an essential tool for industries such as oil and gas, mining, construction, and event management. Swartz Engineering, a leading manufacturers of mobile substations, offers reliable and customizable solutions to meet the power needs of various applications.

Swartz Engineering has been in the business of designing and manufacturing mobile substations for over 70 years. The company is known for its high-quality products, excellent customer service, and innovative solutions. Here are some of the features that set Swartz Engineering's mobile substations apart:

  1. Customizable Designs: Swartz Engineering understands that each customer has unique power requirements, and therefore offers customized designs to meet their specific needs. Our team works closely with our clients to determine the most efficient and effective solution for their power needs.
  2. High-Quality Components: Swartz Engineering uses only the highest quality components in their mobile substations. From transformers and switchgear to control systems and protection devices, each component is carefully selected to ensure maximum reliability and durability.
  3. Rigorous Testing: Before being shipped to the customer, each mobile substation undergoes rigorous testing to ensure it meets Swartz Engineering's strict quality standards. This testing includes high voltage testing, thermal imaging, and insulation resistance testing, among others.
  4. Fast Delivery: Swartz Engineering understands the urgency of power supply in emergency situations and offers fast delivery of their mobile substations. We maintain a large inventory of pre-manufactured units, which can be customized and shipped within a short period.
  5. Excellent Customer Service: Swartz Engineering's customer service team is knowledgeable, responsive, and dedicated to ensuring customer satisfaction. Our team provides support throughout the entire process, from initial design to installation and beyond.
Mobile Substation

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Mobile Transformer Substation

There are several different configurations of portable power substations including mobile transformer substation configurations on a 360° rotating bed for positioning and powerline connection flexibility. There are also trailer-mounted switchgear systems that can be positioned with the truck and include low-voltage and high-voltage switchgear for protection on the transformer. Depending on the size of the trailer, multiple voltages and ratings will be available to power almost any size project. 

Multiple considerations need to be taken into account when placing a substation. Temporary fencing must often surround the substation if it’s placed in a public area and permitted electrical clearances to need to be adhered to. With multiple voltage transformers, it’s also important to keep an operational connection chart displayed for any staff working with or around the substation. This can improve shutdown and response to any emergency. 

Increase Grid Resiliency

Utilities across North America are focused on overall reliability. This means that they need equipment and solutions that can provide support for the grid in times of emergency or planned outages. It is important to take proactive steps to address potential vulnerabilities in order to maintain a resilient network that minimizes interruption frequency and duration.

Swartz Engineering has years of experience in high-voltage switching equipment integration and has developed mobile substation designs to meet each customer's specific needs. Mobile substations and auxiliary trucks offer several advantages, including immediate cost savings for utilities, faster restoration times, operational flexibility, and flexibility when multiple locations are affected by severe weather or equipment failure.

Swartz Engineering can design and retrofit mobile transformers (mobile substations) using our partnerships with several ISO-certified transformer manufacturers. These transformers can be equipped with Swartz Engineering switchgear brands or Swartz Engineering. Our mobile products can be used up to 65 MVA and 230 kV. They are built to exacting specifications to ensure that the product meets the utility's requirements.

Mobile Substation

Areas of Application 

Consider an area that requires large amounts of electricity temporarily. What happens if there is a power outage at a substation These and other issues, which we will discuss below, require the use of mobile substations.

  • Emergency Power Outage - An emergency power outage is when the power supply is cut due to a fault. The utility services respond by moving the substation and connecting it while they repair and troubleshoot the problem.
  • Planned Outage - Preventive maintenance and equipment upgrades can cause an outage. The mobile substation is brought aboard to provide a power supply for the outgoing feeders.
  • Grid Unconnected in Remote Areas - Consider remote areas as far deserts, mining points, forests, and other areas that require electricity to operate their equipment. You cannot begin the construction and design of a substation. You can't. To supply power on temporary terms, a mobile substation is a great option.
  • Load - Moving load is essential for activities like mining or military camps electricity. In this instance, a mobile substation is best.
  • Integration of Distributed Generation - During the design phase of the grid network. To test the performance of the proposed grid network, mobile substations will be used. It is important to consider the suitability of the location as well as the impact on the quality of and reliability of the power. 

Electrical System and Protection Solutions

Mobile trailer electrical protection systems are not one-size-fits-all. Utilities often require customizing their relays and controls. Swartz Engineering has the expertise to offer protection solutions for transformers, regulators, and capacitor banks. Swartz Engineering is open to working with customers to use their preferred brands. Many of these brands we are familiar with. All wiring is completed professionally and neatly. We also use third-party testing to evaluate the equipment's performance and functionality. We can also create custom cabinets and battery systems to meet your most critical needs.

Superior Quality and Custom Designs

Swartz Engineering offers mobile substations with superior quality and self-contained units. These units are built to customer specifications and meet federal and state highway regulations. Our technical design team will collect customer requirements and design the complete system to meet their needs. Our goal is to minimize the overall footprint but our design team places great emphasis on functionality, usability, safety, and user-friendliness.

Swartz Engineering's mobile substation can be built and tested at their state-of-the-art manufacturing facility in Bristol, Virginia. The transformer, trailer, as well as structural steel, are all manufactured in the USA. Swartz Engineering also has a dedicated and experienced field service team that can assist with training, startup, or any long-term maintenance needs.

Portable electrical Substation

Portable electrical substations have transformed the way power distribution is approached, offering mobility, flexibility, and cost efficiency. With their ability to provide temporary power solutions, these mobile substations have become indispensable in various industries and emergencies. As the demand for flexible power distribution continues to rise, portable substations will play an increasingly vital role in meeting the evolving needs of a dynamic world.

Cost Efficiency of Mobile Substation

Compared to traditional fixed substations, mobile substation offers cost advantages. They eliminate the need for constructing permanent infrastructure, reducing installation time and associated expenses. Additionally, they can be rented or leased, providing a more cost-effective solution for temporary power requirements.

Versatility and Scalability of Portable Electrical Substation

Portable substations are highly versatile and can adapt to different voltage levels and power requirements. They can be customized to suit specific applications, ensuring efficient power distribution for various industries, including mining, oil and gas, construction, utilities, and events. Moreover, they can be interconnected to create larger power networks, allowing for scalability as power demands increase.

Our Expert Services

Swartz Engineering provides top-quality products to achieve our customers' needs. We also make sure our products work reliably and safely. Our products include:

Contact Us

If you have a need for regular mobile power solutions, backups, or temporary power solutions, Swartz Engineering can deliver the crucial systems in a custom build for your needs. Contact us today to learn more about our mobile substation designs. 

 

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