FLUENCE

A Siemens and AES Company

Earthing Report

Broken Hill BESS

06/06/2022

Document Control Number: 0775-INF-FLN-39-001

Revision Number: A0

fluenceenergy. com
 energy
Broken Hill BESS
Earthing Report
PSD174219c002

Prepared for

Fluence Energy Pty Ltd

16 Williams Circuit
Pooraka SA 5095
Telephone: +61 (0)8 8259 8100
Fax: +61 (0)8 8259 8101
 energy

Report Status

Name of Report Broken Hill BESS Earthing Report

Document Number PSD174219c002

Prepared By William Beltran

Prepared For Fluence Energy Pty Ltd

Report Revision 1

File Name PSD174219c002_r1 Broken Hill BESS Earthing Report

Report History

Rev Revision Description Date Issued Reviewed By Approved By

1 First issue 27/05/2022 P. Van Staden T. Strydom

PSD174219c002 Revision 1 i
 Also consider:
* Soil potential against limits for
telecommunications.
* Any requirement to consider pipelines
Executive Summary in the area?
* Transfer potentials via fences etc.

This report details the result of the desktop study conducted on the earth grid for the new AGL
Broken Hill Battery energy storage facility (BESS). The objective was to calculate the earth
resistance of the earthing installation and to verify that there are no unsafe step and touch
voltages in the Battery energy storage facility and surroundings.

Appropriate and effective power system grounding is important for maintaining the reliable
operation of electric power systems, protecting equipment, and ensuring the safety of the
public and personnel. The earthing system of a substation can be categorised as a safety
critical system and be capable to provide a low resistance path to remote earth to ensure the
fault currents are directed to ground and dissipated for all earthed items for the duration of the
response time of the specific protective system.

PSD considered the following input parameters for the effective evaluation and to confirm the
satisfactory performance of the earth grid design envisaged to be installed at the New AGL
Broken Hill Battery energy storage facility (BESS):

1. Site soil resistivity measurements of BESS site by means of the Wenner four-pin
method as detailed in Appendix [A].
2. Single phase to ground fault levels and clearing times at the Broken Hill 22kV busbar
(Point of connection) as detailed in Section 6.1. [18].

The following design outputs will be produced

1. RESAP soil module will be determined from the soil resistivity test results [16] and in
accordance with IEEE 80-2000.
2. Equivalent grid resistance calculation
3. Earth potential rise simulation.
4. Step and touch voltage profile simulation.
5. Confirmation of earth conductor sizes

PSD174219c002 Revision 1 ii
Table of Contents
Executive Summary ............................................................................................................... ii
1. Introduction ....................................................................................................................... 1
2. Site location ....................................................................................................................... 2
3. Glossary ............................................................................................................................ 2
4. Standard, References and Specifications .......................................................................... 5
4.1. Australian Standards ................................................................................................... 5
4.2. Earthing Guidelines..................................................................................................... 5
4.3. IEEE Standards .......................................................................................................... 5
4.4. References ................................................................................................................. 5
5. Abbreviations..................................................................................................................... 6
6. Network configuration and parameters .............................................................................. 7
6.1. Fault Levels and Clearing Time................................................................................... 7
6.2. Current Splits .............................................................................................................. 8
7. CDEGS Earth grid model .................................................................................................. 8
7.1. General ....................................................................................................................... 8
7.2. Grid Model .................................................................................................................. 8
7.3. Modelled System Components ................................................................................... 9
7.4. Soil Resistivity Model .................................................................................................10
7.5. Step and Touch Voltages Limits.................................................................................11
7.5.1. IEEE 80:2000 ......................................................................................................11
7.5.2. AS2067 and ALRAP Risk Assessment ................................................................11
7.6. Calculated Earth Resistance of Earth Grid in CDEGS ................................................12
8. BESS facility Earth Potential Rise (EPR) ..........................................................................13
8.1. Earth Potential Rise (EPR) .........................................................................................13
8.2. Telecommunication hot zone .....................................................................................13
9. Earth Grid Step Voltage Profile in CDEGS .......................................................................14
9.1. Maximum grid step voltages.......................................................................................14
10. Earth Grid Touch Voltage Profile in CDEGS ...................................................................17
10.1. Maximum grid touch voltages...................................................................................17
11. Grid conductor sizing and verification .............................................................................21

PSD174219c002 Revision 1 iii

12. Conclusion ........................................................................................................ 22
Appendix A Soil Resistivity Test Results.......................................................................23
Appendix B Broken Hill BESS Facility – Earth Grid Layout, System Earthing & Bonding
Connection Points .............................................................................................................. B-1
B.1. 0775-DRW-FLN-33-001 ...................................................................................... B-1
Appendix C AS2067 ALARP – Risk assessment ........................................................ C-1

PSD174219c002 Revision 1 iv
Table of Figures
Figure 1- Broken Hill BESS Location ..................................................................................... 2
Figure 2- Broken Hill BESS integrated grid model ................................................................. 8
Figure 3 - Graphical soil model results .................................................................................10
Figure 4 - Scalar Potential Profiles .......................................................................................13
Figure 5 - Telecommunication hot zone................................................................................14
Figure 6 - Earth Grid Step Voltage Profiles in CDEGS .........................................................15
Figure 7 - Internal Step Voltages for 22kV earth fault ...........................................................16
Figure 8 - External Step Voltages for 22kV earth fault ..........................................................17
Figure 9 - Earth Grid Touch Voltage Profiles for maximum 22kV earth fault .........................18
Figure 10 - Internal Earth Grid Touch Voltage Profiles .........................................................19
Figure 11 - Earth Grid Reach Touch Voltage Profiles ...........................................................20

PSD174219c002 Revision 1 v
Table of Tables
Table 1 - Present Fault Levels and Clearing Time for Safety Performance ............................ 7
Table 2 – Broken Hill BESS Average Soil Resistivity ............................................................10
Table 3 - 22kV onsite Fault Maximum Permissible Step & Touch Voltages ..........................11
Table 4 – Broken Hill BESS integrated earth grid calculated earth resistance in CDEGS .....12
Table 5 - Earth grid conductor sizing ....................................................................................21

PSD174219c002 Revision 1 vi
1. Introduction

An electrical substation is a mission critical system in the overall power system. The
successful operation of the entire power system depends to a considerable extent on the
efficient and satisfactory performance of substations. The safe operation of a substation
calls for a properly designed and correctly installed grounding system.

There are two primary functions of a safe earthing system, they are:

1.) Ensure the safety of personnel and the public who is in the vicinity of earthed facilities
during a fault is not exposed to the possibility of fatal electrical shock.
2.) Provide a low impedance path to earth for currents occurring under normal and fault
conditions to ensure fast clearing of faults by control and protective devices.

This report details the results of the desktop study conducted on the envisaged earth grid at
Broken Hill BESS. The objective of this report was to:

1. Determine RESAP soil module from the soil resistivity test results [16] and in accordance
with IEEE 80-2000.
2. Determine the impedance of the local grounding system and earth potential rise (EPR)
3. Determine step and touch potentials and check for voltage hazards
4. Confirmation of earthing conductor sizes

Furthermore, this report will also determine if the envisaged earth grid at Broken Hill BESS is
sufficient to achieve the safety criteria as stipulated in IEEE 80.

PSD174219c002 Revision 1 1
2. Site location

Broken Hill Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) is located at 74 to 80 Pinnacles Place,
Broken Hill 2880 (Lots 57 and 58 of DP258288) Figure 1. The site is located in close
proximity to the TransGrid Broken Hill substation at 76 Pinnacles Road, Broken Hill 2880
(Lot 2 of DP 1102040).

Figure 1- Broken Hill BESS Location

3. Glossary

DC offset: Difference between the symmetrical current wave and the

actual current wave during a power system transient
condition. Mathematically, the actual fault current can be
broken into two parts, a symmetrical alternating component
and a unidirectional (dc) component. The unidirectional
component can be of either polarity, but will not change
polarity, and will decrease at some predetermined rate [12].

Decrement factor: An adjustment factor used in conjunction with the symmetrical

ground fault current parameter in safety-oriented grounding
calculations. It determines the rms equivalent of the
asymmetrical current wave for a given fault duration, tf,
accounting for the effect of initial dc offset and its attenuation
during the fault. [12]

Clearing Time: Time taken for the protective devices and circuit breaker to
isolate the fault current.

PSD174219c002 Revision 1 2
Coupling Factor: It is the magnitude of the current returned on a faulted
cable's screens and sheath expressed as a
percentage of the fault current magnitude.

Earth Grid: It is a connection usually made by burying metallic

Grid potential rise? conductors in the soil, to the greater mass of the earth.

Earth Potential Rise (EPR): The maximum voltage that a station earth grid will attain
relative to a distant earthing point assumed to be at the
potential of remote earth.

Fault Current: The current flowing as the result of a line to ground fault on
the power system.

Induced Voltage: It is the voltage on a metallic structure resulting from the

electromagnetic or electrostatic effect of a nearby power line.

Mesh Voltage: The mesh is the touch voltage within a mesh, and the
maximum value is used for design purposes.

Mutual Earth Resistance (MER): MER is an occurrence whereby voltage coupling between
earth systems affects the apparent impedance of the
combined systems. Soil resistivity structure, system sizes and
separation, and current relationship contribute to MER's
significance.

Prospective Step Voltage: The open-circuit voltage difference between two points on the
earth's surface separated by a distance equal to a man's
normal step (approximately 1 meter).

Prospective Touch Voltage: The open circuit voltage difference between an earthed
metallic structure (within 2.4 meters of the ground), and a point
on the earth's surface separated by a distance equal to a
man's normal horizontal reach (approximately 1 meter).

Proximity Effect: Phenomenon whereby diminishing returns are obtained by

installing more and more in-ground earthing in proximity to an
existing system. Soil resistivity structure, system sizes and
proximity, and current relationship contribute to the
significance of proximity effect.

Shielding Factor: One hundred per cent minus the magnitude of the current not
returned on a faulted cable's screens and sheath expressed
as a percentage of the fault current magnitude.

Step Voltage: The difference in surface potential experienced by a person's

body bridging a distance of one meter with his feet without
contacting any other grounded object.

Touch Voltage: The voltage across a body, under fault conditions, in a position
described as for the Prospective Touch Voltage but allowing
for the voltage drop caused by a current in the body.

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Transfer Voltage: A special case of Prospective Touch Voltage where
the metallic structure is connected to a remote point
or alternatively is connected to the station grid and is
touched at a remote location.

PSD174219c002 Revision 1 4
4. Standard, References and Specifications

4.1. Australian Standards

[1] AS2067: Substations and high voltage installations exceeding 1kV A.C.

[2] AS/NZS 4853: Electrical Hazards on Metallic Pipelines

[3] AS/NZS 3835.1: Earth Potential Rise – Protection of Telecommunications Network Users,
Personnel and Plant. Part 1: Code of Practice
[4] AS/NZS 3835.2: Earth Potential Rise – Protection of Telecommunications Network Users,
Personnel and Plant. Part 2: Application Guide
[5] AS/NZS 3000: Wiring Rules

[6] AS/NZS 3007.2:'Electrical installations - Surface mines and associated processing plant -
Part 2: General protection requirements'
[7] AS/NZS 1768: Lightning Protection AS/NZS 60479.1

[8] AS/NZS 7000: Overhead Line Design – Detailed Procedures

[9] AS/NZS 3835.1:2006 Earth Potential Rise

4.2. Earthing Guidelines

[10] ENA EG0: Power System Earthing Guide

[11] ENA EG1: Substation Earthing Guide

4.3. IEEE Standards

[12] IEEE Standard 80: Guide for Safety in AC Substation Grounding

[13] IEEE Standard 81: Guide for Measuring Earth Resistivity, Ground Impedance, and Earth
Surface Potentials of a Grounding System

4.4. References
[14] 0775-DRW-FLN-33-001 – Broken Hill BESS Facility – Earth Grid Layout, System Earthing
& Bonding Connection Points
[15] Broken Hill Battery Energy Storage System Project, Geotechnical Investigation Report –
31/05/2021
[16] Soil Resistivity Test Results – 17/03/2022

[17] 0775-INF-FLN-39-004 - CT & VT Adequacy Report

[18] Broken Hill BESS Network Planning Supplementary Report, Version 1, 20/04/2021

PSD174219c002 Revision 1 5
5. Abbreviations

ALARP As low as reasonably practicable

ARGON Software application tool
AC Alternating Current
DC Direct Current
HV High Voltage
LV Low Voltage
MEN Multiple Earth Neutral
PVC Polyethylene Vinyl Chloride
RESAP Soil Modelling Module of CDEGS
MALZ Earth mat design module of CDEGS package
High Frequency Earth mat design module of CDEGS
HIFREQ
package
CDEGS Earthing Simulation Software
ZS Zone Substation
MALT Earth mat design module of CDEGS package
EPR Earth Potential Rise

PSD174219c002 Revision 1 6
6. Network configuration and parameters

It is important to understand the network configuration and network earthing practices in

order to accurately analyse the fault current distribution in a substation.

The earthing configuration is determined by the electrical system requirements such as

overhead line connections, transformers, and primary plant earthing philosophy (solid,
inductive, or resistive earthing). It also depends on the geographical location of the substation.

The safety and mechanical performances of the earthing system depend on the overall earthing
configuration and earth grid impedance.

The impedance of an earthing system is dependent on the earth grid installed, soil resistivity and
the area or footprint of the substation. It is influenced by the presence of auxiliary or secondary
earthing systems, which lower the overall impedance by providing additional paths for the
conduction of fault current. The auxiliary earthing systems include all metalwork bonded into the
primary earthing system; typical examples are OHEWs, cable sheaths, pipelines.

6.1. Fault Levels and Clearing Time

The fault levels and protection clearing time are summarized in Table 1 and is as obtained from
the Broken Hill BESS Network Planning Supplementary Report [18]. The fault study determined
the maximum and minimum fault levels at the Broken Hill substation.

Note this is at c = 1.1

Table 1 - Present Fault Levels and Clearing Time for Safety Performance

Fault Source Fault Max. Earth Fault Level (kA) Pri. Clearing Time (s)

Broken Hill BESS

phase to ground 19.3 0.360
22 kV
These are present day maximum fault levels.
TransGrid nominated an ultimate fault level of
31.5kA. What margin exists in the design for
possible future fault level increase?
Note: Under normal conditions the fault clearing time can be estimated as follows:

1. Circuit breaker operating time (including arc extinguish time) 3 cyc = 60ms
2. Current check element reset time (maximum) 2 cyc = 40ms
3. Safety margin 3 cyc = 60ms Have TransGrid been contacted re. their
earth fault protection settings for their 22kV
circuits?

The above come to a total of 160ms. An additional 200ms should be added for circuit breaker fail
Per ENA EG-0 clause 5.3.2.1, primary clearing times "shall" be
time, which will make the total fault clearing time 360ms. used for personal safety calcs.
The backup clearing time should be used to size conductors.
The 22 kV phase to ground fault should be used in determining the Ground Potential Rise (GPR).
The design of a grounding grid must consider the asymmetrical current. A decrement factor
derived to consider the effect of dc current offset should be applied to the earth fault as specified
by section 15.10 of IEEE 80 [12].

PSD174219c002 Revision 1 7
 It may be overly conservative to use this maximum TG sub bus SLG fault level when
considering remote 22kV earth faults. There may be scope to lower this value by considering
the impedance of the line(s).
Additionally, the TG+BESS grid performance is likely to improve if 22kV lines with OHEW's
are considered (refer Misi Consulting report for TG BH Sub SSR, section 2.2 & 2.3)

The factor is calculated by means of using formula (78) and (79) in section 15.10 of IEEE
80. The computed decrement factor is 4.04%. The maximum fault current used for
simulation purpose is taken as 20.08 kA.
Please check. 19.3kA, X/R = 14, 0.36s results
in Df = 1.0601 (e.g. 20.46kA)
(For 0.16s, Df = 1.131)

6.2. Current Splits

Current splits were not considered in this report. It is considered that 100% of the fault current will
travel though the local earthing system and return via the metallic earth return paths.
This statement was probably intended to apply to 22kV earth faults at
the BH BESS site, yet the remainder of the document appears to consider
the opposite - e.g. the whole of the earth fault current returning via earth
7. CDEGS Earth grid model mass.

7.1. General
The CDEGS software suite was used to develop the earth system design.

The RESAP module was used to generate the multi-layer soil model using soil resistivity test
measurement collected at site.

The MALZ module was used to model the grid resistance of the BESS facility, soil resistivity, EPR,
step, touch and transfer potentials resulting from a fault current flowing through the earth.

7.2. Grid Model

The earth grid of Broken Hill Battery Energy Store System (BESS) is modelled in SESCAD as a
integrated grid model. The model used to perform analysis in the CDEGS software package is
shown in Figure 2.

Relative positions of EE sub and AGL BESS w.r.t TG sub

are not quite right, though is not expected to
significantly affect the results.

Figure 2- Broken Hill BESS integrated grid model

PSD174219c002 Revision 1 8
 Are these redundant? e.g. does the design
tolerate disconnection of one of these two
ECC's?

7.3. Modelled System Components

The Earth Grid:

The earth grid consists of a 120mm2 bare stranded copper cable buried at a nominal
depth of 500mm below ground and laid in a mesh configuration. Drawing 0775-DRW-FLN-33-001
included in Appendix B shows the arrangement of the earth conductors recommended to be
installed at Broken Hill Battery Energy Storage (BESS). In addition, 2 x 150mm2 PVC insulated
earth continuity conductors is required to connect the Broken Hill Substation main earth grid to
the new Broken Hill Battery Energy Storage (BESS) earth grid.
Many earth rods are shown on the BH BESS
Earth Rods: earthing drawing!

Earth rods are not required at the Broken Hill Battery Energy Storage (BESS) earth grid.

Concrete Structures:

Concrete structure was not modelled as part of the assessment. This will introduce a margin of
error in the earthing model. It would be expected that the actual grid resistance will be reduced
due to earthed concrete structures in the BESS facility. The error introduce will be on the safe
side.

CDEGS advise the following:

“The concrete in a reinforced concrete foundation placed into the ground will assume roughly the
same resistivity as that of the surrounding soil, since the resistivity and permittivity of both media
is mainly influenced by their moisture content. Furthermore, the resistance of the embedded re-
bar foundation will not be affected greatly by the presence of the concrete, as long as the concrete
covers approximately the same area as the re-bar. The touch and step voltages above the
reinforced concrete foundation are normally not a concern since the foundation forms (almost) an
equipotential plane.”

Fencing:

The fence at Broken Hill Battery Energy Storage (BESS) consists of a metallic fence. The fences
are earthed to the main earth grid.
Will these fences be connected to existing or
future fences leading away from the facility?
Please comment.

PSD174219c002 Revision 1 9
 Comment as to the poor correlation between the
different traverses & whether enough
conservatism has been applied in the development
of the soil model considering this.
7.4. Soil Resistivity Model
Soil resistivity tests [16] was carried out at Broken Hill BESS using the Wenner Four Pin
Method. The soil resistivity data was processed using the RESAP module within the
CDEGS suite and is included in Appendix A.

The graphical results of the processed soil data are shown in figure 3. The average from
Traverse 1 to 5 of [16] was used as input to determine the soil model.

Please comment on what appears to have been:

0.5m: Traverse 4 excluded from average

1m: Traverses 2 & 5* excluded from average
2m: Traverse 3 excluded from average
4m: Traverse 2 excluded from average
8m: No readings excluded from average
16m: Traverse 3 excluded from average
32m: Traverse 1* excluded from average
64m: Single reading only used
100m: Single reading only used

Figure 3 - Graphical soil model results *GPA agrees with the exclusion of:
Traverse 5: 1m, and Traverse 1: 32m.

Table 2 summarizes the resistivity and soil layer thickness as determined by CDEGS.

Table 2 – Broken Hill BESS Average Soil Resistivity

Layer Resistivity (-m) Thickness (m)

Air Infinite Infinite

2 21.17433 1.066350

3 1416.994 8.281720

4 140.6593 Infinite

Note: It is recommended that another soil resistivity measurement is conducted after the
completion of the final BESS facility bench and/or during commissioning stages. This should be
done to take into account the changes to the soil model in case of imported soil during the
construction phase. If negligible differences occur, then there is no need to re-run the soil model
and CDEGS simulation. However it is recommend that final test results are conducted.

PSD174219c002 Revision 1 10
 7.5. Step and Touch Voltages Limits
Using body current for "Minimal chance of fibrillation" from AS/NZS 60479.1
curve c1, as referenced in AS 2067, is modern best practice, rather than IEEE
7.5.1. IEEE 80:2000 80.

The 50 kg limits apply to public areas, while 70 kg for restricted areas. Hand to hand limits
apply to areas where objects of different potential can be bridged by two hands, such as gates,
or supporting structures. A resistance of 1000 ohms for body resistance is used in the calculation
of permissible step and touch voltage limits, in accordance with ENA EG1 and IEEE 80.

The final ground surface of Broken Hill BESS is envisaged to be covered with a 50mm layer of
Lillydale/Lillystream topping. The soil resistivity test results suggest the upper soil layer in the
facility is 21.17 Ω-m.

The applicable safety criteria of section 4.4.3 of ENA EG1 provides a guideline on how to calculate
the allowable maximum step and touch voltages for a human body. For safety limit, PSD used
the 22kV fault clearing time of 0.360s as discussed in section 6.1. The results are summarized in
Table 3.

Table 3 is used in the grid assessment and safety calculations.

Has the voltage withstand limitations of asphalt surface layers been
considered?
Please also consider the likelihood of aggregates becoming less
effective with time as it combines with nearby natural soil due to
erosion etc. - these may require regular maintenance.
Table 3 - 22kV onsite Fault Maximum Permissible Step & Touch Voltages

50 kg Step 50 kg Touch 70 kg Step 70 kg Touch

Insulating Layer
Voltage (V) Voltage (V) Voltage (V) Voltage (V)

Natural Soil (Top Layer) = 21.17 Ω.m 217.90 199.47 294.91 269.98
Aggregates = 3000 Ω.m (100mm) 2470.40 762.60 3343.55 1032.14
Concrete/Asphalt = 10000 Ω.m (30mm) 4401.79 1245.45 5957.59 1685.65
Hand to Hand Touch Limit 193.33 261.67
ALARP
Please include societal risk calculations e.g.
exposure of multiple workers at the BESS
7.5.2. AS2067 and ALRAP Risk Assessment facility, or multiple members of the public
outside the facility.

In accordance with the AS2067 under all reasonably foreseeable conditions the earthing system
shall not impose on any person or group of people an unreasonable risk. An unreasonable risk is
one that is considered intolerable or a risk that whilst ‘tolerable’ is not negligible and can be further
lowered at a cost that is not grossly disproportionate to the change in risk achieved.

To reduce the risk, precautions or risk mitigation shall be applied so far as is reasonably
practicable (SFAIRP) or as low as reasonably practicable (ALARP).

PSD uses Argon software to assess the risk posed by the facility, the risk assessment output is
provided in Appendix C.

For public access there is negligible risk for applied voltages smaller than 5095 V. Please justify selection of
fault frequency/year of 0.1
given the extent of the 22kV
It's debatable whether this could be considered "Urban Interface" as defined in system (not just the BH BESS
AS 2067, given the other tenancies nearby & possible fence interconnections. circuit).
Consider "Backyard" as being a more representative choice. e.g. an adjacent
tenant opening their access gate twice a day for 6 days/wk., where their gate
may be linked to the BESS perimeter fence.
PSD174219c002 Revision 1 11
7.6. Calculated Earth Resistance of Earth Grid in CDEGS

Using the soil resistivity test result in Section 7.4 and the earth grid model shown in Figure
3, the calculated CDEGS integrated grid resistance is 0.282 Ω.
Fig. 2?

Table 4 – Broken Hill BESS integrated earth grid calculated earth resistance in CDEGS

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8. BESS facility Earth Potential Rise (EPR)

8.1. Earth Potential Rise (EPR)

The worst case EPR was simulated by considering the maximum earth fault of 20.08 kA.
The worst case EPR for the facility is calculated in CDEGS at 5679 V.

Figure 4 shows the scalar potentials for earth fault as calculated in CDEGS.

Please show potential profile in the area

surrounding the BESS facility e.g. with a ~50m
band around the site., and/or a view including
the TG, EE and AGL sites.

Figure 4 - Scalar Potential Profiles

8.2. Telecommunication hot zone

In the event of an earth potential rise, any nearby (permanently connected) telecommunications
plants could be exposed to voltage stress. The sensitive electronic equipment could be damaged
if the insulation level of the equipment is less than the EPR at that location.

The 1000V EPR contour extends approximately 200m outside Broken Hill BESS fence. The
430V EPR contour extends approximately 600m outside Broken Hill BESS fence.

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 Comms equipment is likely to be within this
zone! Have the nearby services been queried
and checked? E.g. Dial Before You Dig

Communications equipment should not be installed within this zone unless its insulation
is rated for this voltage level.

Figure 5 shows the 430 V and 1000 V Hot Work Zone contours calculated in CDEGS.

Figure 5 - Telecommunication hot zone

9. Earth Grid Step Voltage Profile in CDEGS

9.1. Maximum grid step voltages

The maximum grid step voltages are calculated using the soil resistivity test result in Section 7.4
and the earth grid model shown in figure 2, with a maximum earth fault of 20.08 kA flowing from
the grid. The step voltages calculated in CDEGS at various locations, are summarised in Figure
6.

PSD174219c002 Revision 1 14
 Figure 6 - Earth Grid Step Voltage Profiles in CDEGS

From Figure 6 it can be seen that the highest expected step voltage within the BESS is 247 V.
The safe step voltage limit for a 70kg person on natural soil inside the BESS is 294.91 V.

 From Figure 7 we can see that there will be no unsafe step potential within the BESS.

PSD174219c002 Revision 1 15
 Figure 7 - Internal Step Voltages for 22kV earth fault

Figure 8 provides the maximum step voltages that can be expected outside of the BESS fence.
It can be seen that the highest expected step voltage outside BESS is 247.74 V. The safe step
voltage limit for a 50kg person outside the facility on natural soil is 217.9 V.

PSD174219c002 Revision 1 16
 Figure 8 - External Step Voltages for 22kV earth fault

 From Figure 8 shows potential hazardous step voltages outside the Broken Hill BESS above
the permissible safety levels for natural soil. Recommendations to negate these voltages includes
the following:

•  Aggregate with high resistivity of 3000 Ω.m (100mm thick) can be spread around these
areas. Permissible levels for aggregate as per table 3 is 2470 V.
•  Concrete/Asphalt apron (30mm thick) can be installed around these areas. Permissible
levels for concrete/asphalt as per table 3 is 4401 V.

10. Earth Grid Touch Voltage Profile in CDEGS

10.1. Maximum grid touch voltages

The maximum grid touch voltages are calculated using the soil resistivity test result in Section 7.4
and the earth grid model shown in figure 2, with a maximum earth fault of 20.08 kA flowing from
the grid. The touch voltages calculated in CDEGS at various locations, are summarised in Figure
9.

PSD174219c002 Revision 1 17
 Figure 9 - Earth Grid Touch Voltage Profiles for maximum 22kV earth fault

From Table 3, the safety limit for touch voltages internal to the BESS with restricted access for a
70kg body weight on natural soil is 269.98 V.

PSD174219c002 Revision 1 18
 Figure 10 - Internal Earth Grid Touch Voltage Profiles

 Figure 10 indicates that there are no unsafe touch voltages above the limits inside the BESS
facility on natural soil

From Table 3, the safety limit for touch voltages for a 50kg body weight in a public area external
to the BESS on natural soil is 199.47 V. Figure 11 indicates the expected reach touch voltages
outside the BESS.

PSD174219c002 Revision 1 19
 Figure 11 - Earth Grid Reach Touch Voltage Profiles

 Figure 11 shows potential reach touch voltages outside the Broken Hill BESS above the
permissible safety levels on natural soil. Recommendations to negate these voltages includes the
following:

•  Aggregate with high resistivity of 3000 Ω.m (100mm thick) can be spread around these
areas. Permissible levels for aggregate as per table 3 is 762 V.
•  Concrete/Asphalt apron (30mm thick) can be installed around these areas. Permissible
levels for concrete/asphalt as per table 3 is 1245 V.

PSD174219c002 Revision 1 20
11. Grid conductor sizing and verification

The cross-sectional area of the grid conductor is directly proportional to its current
carrying capacity (ampacity). The ampacity calculations conform to AS3000, and AS2067.
Below is a formula from AS3000 detailing the minimum suggested conductor sizing for
conductors affected by short circuits.

𝐾2𝑆2
𝑡=
𝐼2

Where

t = duration, in seconds

K = factor dependent on the material of the conductor, the insulation and the initial and the final
temperature

S = cross-sectional area of the conductor, in mm2

I = effective short circuit current, in amps (r.m.s)

Earth Grid conductors were sized and checked for the worst-case fault level only. As per ENA
EG1 [11] the grid conductor needs only be sized for 70% of the fault current. Based on the
ampacity calculation the minimum conductor cross section required is as per Table 5.

Note: The earth grid conductors and raisers are sized in accordance with the worst-case fault
level for Broken Hill Substation being 31.50 kA.

Table 5 - Earth grid conductor sizing

Type Ambient Temp Final Temp K for Copper -

Bare 40 250 170.35

PVC insulated 40 160 136.10

Min cond size req as per
Max Fault Current
Grid Conducter Fault Clearing Time (s) AS3000
(kA)
(mm2)
Earth Grid 22.05 0.36 77.66

Risers Bare Copper 31.50 0.36 110.95

Risers PVC insulated 31.50 0.36 138.87

ECC PVC insulated 31.50 0.36 138.87

ECC Bare Copper 31.50 0.36 110.95

As per drawings Drawing 0775-DRW-FLN-33-001 main grid installed consist of 120mm2 bare
copper earthing conductor is considered for the main earth grid and 150mm2 insulated copper
risers. The materials beings used for the earthing installation exceeds the minimum conductor
size requirements and therefor sufficiently rated.

PSD174219c002 Revision 1 21
12. Conclusion

This report details the results of the desktop study conducted on the envisaged earth grid
at Broken Hill BESS. The objective of this report was to:

1. Determine the RESAP soil module from the soil resistivity test results Appendix A and in
accordance with IEEE 80-2000.
2. Determine the impedance of the local integrated grounding system and earth potential
rise (EPR)
3. Determine step and touch potentials and check for voltage hazards
4. Confirmation of earthing conductor sizes

Grid analysis:

PSD analysed the envisage grid using CDEGS. Using the soil resistivity test result in Section 7.4
and the earth grid model shown in Figure 3, the calculated CDEGS integrated grid resistance is
0.282 Ω.

Step Potentials:

 From Figure 7 we can see that there will be no unsafe step potential within the BESS facility.

 From Figure 8 shows potential hazardous step voltages outside the Broken Hill BESS above
the permissible safety levels for natural soil. Recommendations to negate these voltages includes
the following:

•  Aggregate with high resistivity of 3000 Ω.m (100mm thick) can be spread around these
areas. Permissible levels for aggregate as per table 3 is 2470 V.
•  Concrete/Asphalt apron (30mm thick) can be installed around these areas. Permissible
levels for concrete/asphalt as per table 3 is 4401 V.

Touch Potentials:

 Figure 10 indicates that there are no unsafe touch voltages above the limits inside the BESS
facility on natural soil.

 Figure 11 shows potential reach touch voltages outside the Broken Hill BESS above the
permissible safety levels on natural soil. Recommendations to negate these voltages includes the
following:

•  Aggregate with high resistivity of 3000 Ω.m (100mm thick) can be spread around these
areas. Permissible levels for aggregate as per table 3 is 762 V.
•  Concrete/Asphalt apron (30mm thick) can be installed around these areas. Permissible
levels for concrete/asphalt as per table 3 is 1245 V.

PSD174219c002 Revision 1 22
 Appendix A Soil Resistivity Test Results

PSD174219c002 Revision 1 23
PSD174219c002 Revision 1 24
Appendix B Broken Hill BESS Facility – Earth Grid
Layout, System Earthing & Bonding
Connection Points

B.1. 0775-DRW-FLN-33-001

PSD174219c002 Revision 1 B-1

 Appendix C AS2067 ALARP – Risk assessment

Touch Voltage Restricted Access

Touch Voltage Public Access

PSD174219c002 Revision 1 C-1

 Step Voltage Restricted Access

Step Voltage Public Access

PSD174219c002 Revision 1 C-2