Islanding schemes and audit of transmission lines to avoid grid failures
August 07, 2012
By Vinod Gupta
NEW DELHI: Implementation of effective islanding schemes and audit of transmission lines were amongst the major decisions agreed by states to prevent future grid failures.

Power Minister said that procurement of power could be done either through long term, medium term or short term contracts. He regretted that some states resort to persistent over drawl often endangering the stability of the transmission system. Over drawl should not be used as a reliable source of power. Few states overdraw as they find it convenient not to pay immediately.

V Moiley Union Power Minister held a meeting with the Chief Ministers and Power Ministers of the North Indian States affected by the power grid collapse on 30th and 31st of July. All states agreed to suggestions put forward by the Power Ministry to ensure that such grid failures do not recur again.

Defense plans of the states must include islanding schemes, under frequency relays, rate of change of frequency relays, special protection schemes and automatic demand management schemes. The defense plans shall also include restoration procedures that shall be updated and reviewed regularly. Restoration System is required to quickly restore the power system in case of any contingency.

Independent third party audit of the protection systems shall be carried out within 1 month and the Regional Power Committees (RPCs) shall monitor the same. Power Grid would fund and carry out the audit in the first instance

The above suggestions related to managing load demand and sustaining the available transmission and distribution infrastructure till such time adequate surplus power and related infrastructure capacity is set up. Load Planning is essential to be able to meet the consumer demand in a secure and reliable manner.

Power Minister said that procurement of power could be done either through long term, medium term or short term contracts. He regretted that some states resort to persistent over drawl often endangering the stability of the transmission system. Over drawl should not be used as a reliable source of power. Few states overdraw as they find it convenient not to pay immediately.

The States requested that Government of India may draw up a scheme for supporting the states in strengthening their SLDCs and for capacity building. The states asked for increased allocation of power share from central projects, allocation of coal and gas for upcoming projects