Rancang Bangun Pembangkit Listrik Tenaga Surya (PLTS) Untuk Power Suplay Relay Proteksi, Heater Kubikel & Penerangan Gardu Tembok

Abstract

One utilization of solar energy as an electrical power source is the solar power plant, abbreviated as PLTS, which generates electricity by utilizing solar cell technology, also known as photovoltaics.

This energy is highly suitable for use as a power supply for protection relays, heaters, and lighting in wall-mounted substations (gardu tembok). The wall-mounted substations referred to in this design are those located far from a 220-Volt supply—for instance, in industrial areas where the majority of customer contracts are for Medium Voltage (MV). In typical cases like this, the State Electricity Company (PLN) must invest in cubicle materials, distribution transformers, and other equipment to provide a power supply for these wall-mounted substations. If there is still space for material construction at the substation, it might not be a major issue; with a large enough budget investment, a power supply can still be built. However, the core discussion arises when the wall-mounted substation is far from a 220-Volt power supply and the site conditions do not allow for additional construction.

By installing this PLTS as a power supply for the relays, heaters, and lighting in the wall-mounted substation, this problem can be resolved with a cheaper and more efficient budget investment. The design of this solar power plant is very simple and does not require a large space. The solar cells can be placed on the roof of the substation, and a relatively small panel can be mounted on the interior wall of the substation.

In addition to budget and space efficiency, another objective of utilizing the solar power plant (PLTS) as a protection relay power supply is to expect a more reliable protection system. Up until now, the power supply for protection relays has been using 220-Volt power from the distribution network or from the nearest customer, which is then converted into DC voltage. This type of system certainly has drawbacks; if a fault occurs in the customer's installation, the relay's power supply will also shut down. Alternatively, if there is a fault in the distribution network itself, the protection relay will most likely fail to operate because its power supply goes down with it. Naturally, with the installation of this solar power plant (PLTS), the power supply to the relay will be more reliable and completely unaffected by the customer's installation or the distribution network. Even if a fault occurs in the distribution network itself, the relay's power supply will remain energized, ready to read the fault current, and the relay will operate according to its set current.