PRELIMINARY THERMAL AND ACOUSTIC DESIGN OF SHELTERS FOR HIGH-VOLTAGE ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT THROUGH NUMERICAL MODELLING

The constant development of the electric power grid addresses the needs deriving from the growing use of renewable sources and the dispatching flexibility required by mobility electrification. New infrastructures to control the grid parameters and configuration are also being installed in the urban environment, generally enclosed to prevent unauthorised access. Such a solution has positive implications since these shelters must, on the one hand, attenuate the potential noise emitted by the equipment inside and, on the other hand, guarantee enough air changes to avoid overheating of the devices that can compromise the performance and security of high-voltage elements. Hence, cooling and sound insulation must be properly integrated during the design phase of the shelter. This paper presents a feasible, dual and synergetic strategy of acoustic and thermal simulation applicable to the design of a new high-voltage control system. The proposed solution aims to allow adequate heat dissipation from the high-voltage equipment as well as provide smart noise control measures.