METHOD FOR ACCESSING ELECTRIC GRIDS TO POWER FRACTURING OPERATIONS
A method and system are disclosed for providing electrical power from a utility electric grid to a fracturing operation, and an electrically powered fracturing system. A mobile substation includes at least two transformer units that are operatively coupled to the utility electric grid in a parallel orientation, wherein the transformer units are capable of accessing power from the utility electric grid and stepping down the power for delivery to a switchgear. An electric motor is operatively coupled to a hydraulic fracturing pump and operatively controlled by a variable frequency drive. At least one open air relay cable is operatively coupled between the switchgear and the electric motor and capable of delivering power to the electric motor.
1 . A method for performing hydraulic fracturing using power from a utility electric grid, comprising:
accessing power from the utility electric grid;
operating at least two transformer units, in parallel, to step down a line voltage of the power from the utility electric grid;
passing the power from the at least two transformer units through at least one switchgear to a plurality of electric motors using at least one open air relay cable; and
with each of the plurality of electric motors, driving at least one hydraulic fracturing pump.
2 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the mobile substation is electrically synced to the at least two transformers and the at least one switchgear.
3 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the at least two transformers units provide at least 30 MVA of power to the mobile substation.
4 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the at least one switchgear is capable of dynamically communicating with a plurality of switchgears.
5 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the at least one switchgear allows for automatic transition between a normal buss operation and an emergency buss operation.
6 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the at least one switchgear comprise a plurality of circuit breakers capable of providing 13.8 V of power to downstream equipment.
7 . The method of claim 6 , wherein the plurality of circuit breakers comprise at least one medium voltage circuit breaker.
8 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the at least two transformer units comprise at least one trailer transformer unit.
9 . The method of claim 8 , wherein the at least one trailer transformer unit is permanently fixed to a predetermined location.
10 . The method of claim 8 , wherein the at least one trailer transformer unit allows for dynamic addition of electric motors.
11 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising
utilizing a motor control system connected to the at least one trailer transformer unit automatically switch between a normal buss operation and an emergency buss operation.
12 . The method of claim 11 , wherein the motor control system provides a 480 V side and a 13.8 V side encompassed in one unit associated with the at least one switchgear.
13 . A method for performing hydraulic fracturing using power from a utility electric grid, comprising:
accessing power from the utility electric grid;
operating at least two transformer units, in parallel, to step down a line voltage of the power from the utility electric grid;
passing the power from the at least two transformer units through at least one switchgear to a plurality of electric motors using at least one open air relay cable;
with each of the plurality of electric motors, driving at least one hydraulic fracturing pump; and
utilizing a motor control system connected to at least one trailer transformer unit associated with the at least two transformer units to automatically switch between a normal buss operation and an emergency buss operation.