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Grid Studies & System Analysis

We help utilities, developers, and grid operators address the complexity of modern power systems. From feasibility studies to stability analyses, our experts provide the insights needed to plan, design, and implement reliable and efficient transmission projects.

WHAT WE DO IN DETAIL

Shaping Reliable & Future-Proof Power Systems

Explore our full range of services: from HVDC and FACTS feasibility, conceptual design, and techno-economic assessments, to advanced simulations, risk analyses, and approval support. Every study is designed to build confidence and ensure long-term grid performance.

Feasibility studies of HVDC and FACTS projects

A feasibility study for HVDC or FACTS is an early-phase, in-depth assessment to determine whether introducing these advanced transmission technologies is practical, beneficial, and justifiable for a specific power system project. Are you hesitant whether an idea should be implemented? We are able to give you strong arguments for the final decision.

Conceptual design and technology selection of HVDC and FACTS

Selecting the right design and technology of HVDC or FACTS is not only crucial to meet a project’s technical, economic, and operational needs, but also for the power system stability and long-term reliability. Trench Consulting offers a profound technical know-how backed by detailed simulations to help you to make the best possible decision.

Techno-economic analysis (TEA) of HVDC and FACTS

By combining technical engineering with an economic evaluation, we help decision-makers identify the most cost-effective solution that still meets technical requirements with a techno-economic analysis. In energy projects such as HVDC or FACTS, a TEA is crucial to justify investments, compare alternatives, and ensure long-term system benefits.

Risk analysis of substation projects

Identifying, evaluating, and prioritizing potential risks is the key to success of a project. A risk analysis looks at both the likelihood of risks occurring (such as technical failures, cost overruns, delays, or regulatory issues) and the impact they would have. Trench Consulting helps you to understand vulnerabilities and develop mitigation strategies to minimize negative effects.

Owner's engineer role for substation project implementation

By providing a skilled and experienced engineer, we represent your interests throughout the whole substation project lifecycle. Whether it is about HVDC, FACTS or smaller adjustments, an independent owner’s engineer ensures that the project is designed, built, and commissioned according to agreed standards, specifications, and contract terms.

Modeling of HVDC, FACTS and power-electronics

By modeling power electronics through mathematical and simulation-based tools, we are able to create representations of HVDC systems and FACTS to study their behavior under different operating conditions. Such models capture the dynamics of converters, controllers, and interactions with the grid, allowing engineers to analyze power flow, stability, harmonics, and fault responses. Accurate modeling is essential for system planning, design optimization, and ensuring reliable integration of these advanced technologies into power networks.

Solutions for special designs of overhead lines (OHL)

Are you facing difficulties by applying standard transmission line designs due to challenging terrain, harsh climate, environmental, or technical constraints? To overcome these problems, Trench Consulting can offer special solutions including but not limited to compact tower configurations, high-strength conductors or corrosion-resistant materials

Expertise on DC cables (submarine/onshore)

Specialized power cables designed to transmit electricity using direct current are a crucial component in HVDC systems for long-distance, high-capacity transmission. Modern DC cables use complex technologies and designs to carefully address electrical stress, thermal performance, and insulation to ensure safe and efficient operation over decades. Complex DC cable designs lead to complex problems, for which Trench Consulting is able to provide expert advice to help finding the right solutions.

Analysis of technical performance of HVDC and FACTS systems

By carrying out simulations and system studies, an analysis of the technical performance of HVDC and FACTS systems evaluates how well these technologies improve the operation of a power network, ensuring that the chosen technology delivers the expected benefits under real operating scenarios. From smaller assets such as shunt compensation to complex systems like HVDC transmission, we offer profound analyses to better evaluate their effect on the grid.

Stability-studies in hybrid AC and DC grids

Grid stability is a critical concern not only for utilities but also for end-users, and it becomes even more important as grids expand to accommodate the growing integration of renewable energy. Understanding how the interaction between traditional AC systems and DC links affect overall grid stability poses the base for existing and future projects. With stability studies, Trench Consulting is able to analyze different aspects – such as transient, voltage or frequency stability – considering the fast control dynamics of power electronics.

Electromagnetic Transient (EMT) Studies

Through detailed simulations using high-level specialized software, Trench Consulting offers studies to analyze very fast electrical phenomena in power systems, typically occurring within microseconds to milliseconds. These studies capture switching events, lightning strikes, converter dynamics, fault behavior, and interactions of power electronic devices like HVDC and FACTS with the AC grid. EMT analysis is essential to design protection schemes, verify equipment performance, and ensure reliable system operation under extreme or abnormal conditions.

Simulation of lightning performance

Simulation of lightning performance involves modeling how transmission lines, substations, or cables respond to lightning strikes in order to assess their vulnerability and design effective protection. We offer such studies to evaluate overvoltages, insulation stress, and the effectiveness of shielding systems such as grounding or surge arresters. By simulating different lightning conditions, we set the foundation to estimate outage rates, optimize protection design, and improve overall system reliability.

Analysis of lightning data along transmission assets

Investigating data of historical lightning strike records along transmission assets and evaluating their impact on power lines, towers, and substations is crucial to identify high-risk areas, estimate fault rates, and assess correlations between strikes and outages. With such analyses provided by Trench Consulting, we help to optimize e.g. grounding systems or the placement of surge arresters and ultimately improve grid reliability and reduce downtime.

Witnessing of system commissioning

A dedicated and independent engineer can be made available by Trench Consulting to verify the testing and start-up of a power system like HVDC links or FACTS devices. The goal is to ensure that all components are installed, configured, and operating according to specifications, standards, and contractual requirements. By witnessing the system commissioning, we make sure that the project is ready for reliable operation and that any issues are identified and addressed before full commercial use.

Post-fault analysis of grid systems

Analyzing a power system’s behavior after a fault or disturbance, such as a short circuit, equipment failure, or lightning strike, helps identify weaknesses in protection schemes, control strategies, and system design. It is examined how protective devices operated, how voltage and frequency were affected, and whether the system returned to stable operation. After a profound analysis, experienced engineers from Trench Consulting are able to recommend improvements that enhance reliability and prevent similar issues in the future.

Technical due diligence

By reviewing designs, technologies, performance data, maintenance records, and regulatory approvals, Trench Consulting is able to make an independent assessment of a project’s or asset’s technical aspects. The goal is to verify its feasibility, risks, and compliance with standards before investment or acquisition to ensure that the project can deliver its expected performance and lifetime. For example, in HVDC or FACTS projects, technical due diligence helps investors and stakeholders confirm that the chosen technologies are appropriate, the project is technically sound, and potential risks are well managed.

Development of specialized simulation tools for grid studies

Complex project requirements often ask for complex solutions. Trench Consulting offers special services to carry out large-scale grid studies or numerical transient analyses through highly specialized simulation tools, tailored to the specific requirements. It is ensured that the project goals are met with high efficiency without compromising quality.

Assistance in ENTSO-E approval procedures

The processes established by the ENTSO-E to evaluate and authorize cross-border electricity projects and grid codes within Europe are crucial before the implementation. These procedures ensure that new interconnections comply with technical, operational, and market requirements for secure and efficient grid operation. Trench Consulting offers expert advice and assistance throughout the whole process to obtain a successful approval, which is essential for projects seeking regulatory clearance.

TRV studies

Ensure reliable switching performance with our TRV (Transient Recovery Voltage) studies. Our electrical engineering consulting team delivers precise analysis of circuit breaker stress conditions, helping utilities, EPCs, and industrial clients verify compliance with international standards and avoid costly failures. Using advanced simulation tools and deep system expertise, we identify critical overvoltage risks and provide clear, practical recommendations to optimize protection design.

Want to Know More? Book a Session with Our Experts!

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