Overdrawing electricity a cause of grid failures
V K Gupta
31 July, 2012
Northern grid collapsed again today at 1 PM . Easter and north eastern grid also collapsed simultaneously. While metro services have been suspended in capital Delhi, overdrawal by Haryana, Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh is believed to be cause of grid failures.
------------
JUST WHEN North India thought a nightmarish power crisis was over, the Northern grid failed again, followed by Eastern and north eastern grids at 1 PM today (Tuesday).

Technical snag hit the Northern Grid for the second consecutive day on Tuesday, paralyzing all services in northern region. Along with northern grid, eastern and north eastern grids also collapsed simultaneously leading to blackout in 12 states.

Heavy overdrawl by Uttar Pardesh, Haryana and Rajasthan is believed to be the likely cause of grid failure. All the three states were overdrawing to the extent of 1200 MW each. The reason for the grid failures in the North and East have reportedly been caused because frequency has dipped below the optimal level of 49 HZ. However, officials have been unable to identify exactly where the fault has occurred.

The power supply in Punjab and Haryana is likely to be restored late in the evening. The supply to thermal plants from hydro station is being arranged and it will take 4 to 6 hours to start thermal units.

Earlier on Monday, seven states in the northern region saw power trip off at 2.32 am due to a major breakdown in the Northern Grid. The power failure had hit rail, Metro and road-traffic operations, as well as services at hospitals and civic bodies.

Meanwhile, CERC in its order said today that in case the constituents do not comply with the directions of NRLDC with regard to overdrawal, NRLDC shall take necessary steps to open the identified feeder(s) to the constituent states in order to reduce the over-drawl and restore the grid to the safe operating frequency band.

CERC order further says, “Since the situation has not improved despite our directions, we direct the Officers-in-charge of the STUs/SLDCs of the states of Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, Punjab, Uttarakhand and Jammu & Kashmir to personally appear before the Commission on August 14.”